Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1901 — DEVOTION OF COUNTESS TOLSTOI. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DEVOTION OF COUNTESS TOLSTOI.

Countess Sophia Andrerona Tolstoi, wife of the great Russian reformer and author, is a meek, mild woman, wliose entire life has been spent, since her marriage, in ministering to the wants of her husband and in rearing her numerous offspring. The Tolstois have had three children, and for these until they were ten years old the countess

has made all the wearing apparel. She acts as secretary and critic to the count and chiefly concerns herself with the table desires of her lord and master. Countess Tolstoi is one of the most cultured women in all Europe. When she was 17 she received a diploma from the University of Moscow. One year later she married the count after a romantic courtship, which has been reproduced word for word in that of Levin and Kitty in “Anna Karenina." In describing the countess’ devotion to him the famous sociologist says: “If I were a clarinet my wife would spend all her time polishing and burnishing the keys.”

COUNTESS TOLSTOI.