(1860-1904) Russian playwright and short-story writer. 'I'M NOT A FIGHTER, IT'S NOT IN MY NATURE...' An extremely rare A.L.S. 'A. Chekhov', 3pp. 8vo, [n.p.], 11th February [n.y., post 1897], to 'Nikolai Nikolaevich', in Cyrillic. Chekhov explains that, owing to his sickness, he is late in expressing his thanks to his correspondent, remarking '...Being busy with the interests of the Zemsky Assembly, I am sure you didn´t have enough time for writing letters either...' and continuing '...How to spend 100 rubles, donated by Mrs. Sverebtieva? I'll write to you about it at the end of March or in April, when I have better orientated myself. I think 100 rubles is enough for two. If you're going to be here for Easter, we'll talk about it and decide what and how...'. The dramatist continues to ask a favor of Nikolaevich, explaining '...At the beginning of last year, I filed a petition with the Serpuchov Administration Office, presenting my resignation of my supervisory duties in Chirkovsky College. Without a doubt, my petition was just a cry in the desert, my application was thrown under the desk and probably forgotten; in any case I didn't receive an answer. Also, I have permanent, petty annoyances in the [Melikhovsky] College; the muzhiks [Russian peasants] breaking windows; Miss. Anisova and her personality; piteous letters from her assistant; complete abandonment from the authorities; the reports about the national education - I am tired of all this and it wrecked my nerves. Today I've made a petition, stating that due to my poor health and the distance I cannot continue supervising Chirkovsky and [Melikhovsky] Colleges. I cannot do it anymore! As much as possible, please, use all your influence so that my petition will be granted. Please support me at the college board meeting. I am not a fighter, it's not in my nature, these letters that I used to get all the time were oppressing me like a nightmare...' Chekhov may very well be referring to his estate at Melikhovo where he lived for seven years and wrote some of his most notable works. However, his life there was taxing as he cared for thousands of patients who received free medical assistance and medicines from physician Chekhov. Alternatively, he may have supervised a school there, as he did at the local Chirkovsky College (or Chirkovsky School). The combination of these duties clearly proved too taxing for the despairing author, as he clearly points out to his friend. Chkhov's correspondent may well have been Nikolai Nikolaevich Solotsov (1857-1902), Chekhov’s boyhood friend who became a prominent actor and theater director. As a major figure in the Russian theater scene, Solovtsov founded the Solovtsov Theater in Kyiv. Chekhov originally dedicated his famous, successful one-act comedic play 'The Bear' to his old friend. Autograph letters of Chekhov, widely considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time, are rare owing to his untimely death at the age of 44. Some light overall creasing and minor age wear, otherwise near fine.