Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1908-11-29

pers. His beard was cut short, the
heavy bushy eyebrows looked almost
threatening, the eyes we're small gray,
and as il covered with thin film.
the nostrils broad. 1t was Tolstoy as
we know him from innumerabIe photo
graphs, and as many who has learned
to love his writings have seen MIN with
their minds eyes.
was greatly surprised at his almost
youthful vivacity this lively, healthy
man with the fresh complexion might
be taken for a man of so, not eighty
years Of age. HIS movements had all
the elasticity of youth.
Thought of the amount of work this
man has done, of the quantity of mem
tai energy ae represents, of the moral
power he and / was seized WITH a
strange feeling. Was it establishment,
curiosity. respect, or joy2
And then / suddenly heard my name
with hearty words of welcome felt the
grip of his broad powerful hand. and
felt sensation of peace and earnest
ness emanating from him.
As il in dream enter the dining
room, take OF my overcoat and hand
Tolstoy my TRANSACTIONS which he ear
ries into his workroom.
1 am introduced TO the lady IN wait
ing, Countess Stackowitsch, and to
Tolstoy's friend, disciple and seere-
tary, DR.. Nackovicky, who knows er-
erything, we exchange 3 few remarks
concerning Maxim Cork. who had just
mentioned Tolstoy in anything but
fattering terms-as ToIstoy whom
actually disturbed in his wark again en-
tiers the room. The two withdraw and
l am alone with the grand old man.
On the wan to the left of the door
Bove the piano are some portraits Oh
ancestors mentioned in War ana
Peace" / can discover no resembI
ance. Then comes the door leading
into Tolstoy's working room, busts On
Ger and Troubetzkoi, some English
magazines, portraits of Tolstoy's ener-.
getic and gifted wife and of himself
We talk about the work: ''One
thing is necessary" 1t contained in
the manuscript an insult to the kaiser
which 1 omitted In the translation.
Said Tolstoy. Il did not mean u
offend the kaiser. am sorry / wrote
those words and thank you for omit
ting them.
We talked about art, but after about
fifteen minutes conversation Tolstoy
suddenly says: I have Intentionally
endeavored to get arrested and inn
prisoned for my thought. I have not
succeeded. They have not had the
courage to do me the favor of impris-
oning me-
1t thought of the late Pobiedonost-
Zew. Car Alexander III was twice
handed reports which said that Toll
stoy because of his English published
article against the monarchy ought to
be sent to the Monastery of Susdal,
deprived all chance of writing and
thus be made harmless. But the Gar
refused to give his consent with the
words: Il do not want you to touch
Tolstoy If he Is wrong so much the
worse for him, but 1 will not make
him a martyr and by doing so arouse
storm of indignation"
We talked of the Russian revoIu-
ton, of the famine and q typhus cpl
demic in a nearby village which gave
the physician DR.. Makovicky much to
do.
do you think there will be many
more fights, that much more blood will
fow?" I asked.
Il do not know" Tolstoy replied.
Too much blood has been shed al
ready. During the time of the French
revolution who could tell how ii would
end? When the BastiIle was taken.
who thought of liberty equality ana
fraternity"
But if the revolution is restricted
to Russia, what will be its effects?
Also the people of other nations
viii awaken. The form of govern
ment does not matter. If they nave
given their subjects a parliament, a
congress, a Reichstag, or a Duma. II
only proves they have seen they were
wrong, and that the governments
owed something to their subjects"
When l asked Tolstoy what he was
doing now, he replied: I feel like
taking a mental bath by studying
Kent and l am convinced that huIn-
an reason can not reach further than
he did"
Now Countess Tolstoy returned
from Russia. Tolstoy kissed his Six
ty-year old wife. We had luncheon,
but Tc1stoy did not eat with us, as
he is a vegetarian, and prepares his
own simple meals. He walked UP
and down the floor while we were eat
ing, and everyone was silent when he
spoke.