The National tribune., 1910-12-01

was, however, as silent as Tolstoi wish
ed. Consistent in everything, he had
particularly requested that his burial
should be attended by no religious cere-
mony. When the special train which
brought his body from Astapova reach
ed YaSnaya on the morning of the
burial. it was met by throngs of peas
ants who had been vending their way
thither from the surrounding country
ever since daylight. These marched
at the head of the procession, carry
ing white banners, followed by stu
dents chanting memorial hymns. and
Immediately preceding the coffin borne
by the Counts sons. were four car
riaSes filled with funeral WreatheS
Countess Sophia and the other children
brought up the rear on foot The body
of the great Russian was placed in
room bare of all furniture. except his
cherished bookcase, a portrait of his
brother, and bust of Buddha. and
here it remained for several hours
while the poor peasants passeG rever-
emily before it, looking for the last
time on the face OF him who had
brought himself down TO their lowly
station that he might more fully un-
derstand and sympathiZe with their Suf-
ferings- He shared their poverty and
their toll, ard his great heart nearly
broke that ne was unable to do more
to relieve both.
II IS not often that those of moder-
Z ate means are given a boost in this
world Poverty is relieved every
day. but those self-respecting persons
who by the most careful management
present = comforta bic. happy front to
the world, are allowed to go on scrimp-
ing and denying themselves many of the
legitimate pleasures of life. Wealth
passes them by with an "Oh.
they are perfectly comfortable,
and far more happy with their
little than we are with all
our money" etc, and does not give
them another thought. However. Mrs
Russell Sage now proposes to do some
thing for the person of moderate means.
She is going to take a tract of land en-
bracing some ZAP acres on Long Island,
just nine miles from New York, and
erect upon it attractive. comfortable
and substantial homes for 1,500 fam
lies at the moderate rental of S25 per
month. Mrs. Sage does not look upon.
this as charity in any sense of the
word; she expects to get a very good
interest on her money. but she does
aim to make it possible for the. person
OF moderate means, whose business is
in the Metropolis, to live in a bet
ter, prettier, more comfortable house
in absolutely healthy Surroundings than
is at present afforded by him, and, in
many cases, to save money in the bar
gain. The houses will be sold as well
as rented, and more houses built if
required. Lots will also be for sale
Mrs. Sage is going to put S2,50O,000
into the venture to start with. She
means to make this model town as
nearly ideal as is possible, with all the
materials used in the construction of
the dwellings of the very best, every
thing strictly up to date, and first-class
talent employed in making these homes
artistic and attractive as we'll rs thor
oily adapted to the needs and comforts
of families of moderate means. IT
sounds good. Mrs. Sage holds ont the
promise of using another tract of land
which she owns on Long Island and
starting a similar town for laborers and
their families.