Evening star., 1912-09-01

Y { tions, and differ
from The more voluminous biographies ny
their straishtforwardness and simpicitS.
He shows Tolstoy as n striking personal
ity. fun of strong likes and dishkes. AT
times scrupulously true to his own teach-
ing. and at others acting In direct opposi-
tion to what he has written on the same
subject in his numerous works.
Tolstoy's immense capacity for Work,
says NJ Bulgakoff can be explained py
his powerful physique and the Wonderfui
energy he possessed. Like Goethe, he re-
mained a child all his life. He became en-
thusiastic over trifles, he loved the mys-
terious and had rich imagination.
In the last year of his life Tolstoy was
busy on several articles. short stories
and plays for the local amateur theatre
Gals He kept up his diary Almost every
day he wrote a number of letters giving
spiritual advice to his correspondents, or
lending them material help.
Tolstoy turned TO manual work as
change from literary labor. to which he
devoted the best part of the day But
as he grew older he had less energy. and
for exercise he had to resort to rides on
rides varies little. 1t was Ito go along
the highway. soon take a turning into
the woods or fields. TO follow the mar
rowest and least fre1uented paths, Jump
over bitches. and thus cover consider
able distance; then get lost, try 10 ma
his way home ramble about and finally
reach home dead tired.
NJ BuIgakoff. who frequently accom-
panied his master, relates that this
morning CApril III we went out for
ida hllf
through the forest. Leo NicholayeVlch
said, Let me try. and let his morse go
along some narrow path. We came 10
ditch and were unable to get across IT,
We turned back and had to force our
way through such a thicket that nearly
got brushed off my horse. But Toistoy
did not give in; he put the brancnes
aside STOPPING, and let his horse go
boldly ahead He seems to like obsta-
cles on his rides; IL path swerVes 10
one side he makes II point TO leave II
and 90 through a thicket for snort cut.
m there is a hillock he rides over 1t; II
there is a bridge across ditch he avoids
IL and goes straight ahead. In the 1orest
where the trees are not so thick ne lets
his horse trot. while il is hard for me
10 keep UP st gallop.
-.
During periods of good health IoistoS
took part in everything that was going on
in the house. and seemed to delight In It.
a play was being enacted by children
and amateurs Tolstoy looked at the
stage, straining his eyes in order to see
the people upon 1t. Then he turned and
went out of the room, but soon came
back with a large box. He sat down
and, carefully opening the box, took out
a large marine binocular and looked
through IT at the stage. A minute iater
i turned and looked at him. he was
beating his hands against MS knees ana
caring with laughter.
Although Tolstoy denounced civilization
and all that it had produced for mans
enjoyment or otherwise. sun ne was oo III
terested in all the latest inventions. once
the gramophone was started 10 play songs
by Mikhailowa and Panina, and baia-
laika piece.
when the ..Trepak' Russian National
dance) was played.
After a balalaika record, scene de
Ballet was playeu, and Ioistoy haa
10 play chess. But while the gramo-
phone played the Russian dance Go
pak'' he began TO clap his hands and beat
time with his feet, 50 that the noise ne
made could be heard in the adjoining
room.
But Tolstoy was not content TO enjoy
the wonders OF the gramophone BY him
self alone. Bulgakeff relates that once
after dinner they went to the village 10
show the peasants how I" play the
gramophone. treat which Tolstoy had
planned for some time Il. SAYS Bul-
gakoff. carried tile instrument and Tol-
Stoy and Il Japanese visitor carried the
packets OF records The gramophone was
placed outside a hut. the peasants We're
invited 10 come out and the machine was
set going. Orchestral records, songs and
baialaika pieces We're played. The bala-
laika especially appreciated. When
the "Gopok was played a dance was ar
ranged on the village green. Tolstoy fol-
lowed IL with the greatest interest. He
was very active and talkative. walked
among those present talked with the
peasants, introduced them TO the Japa-
nese visitors, explained things TO them
about the gramophone, read the librettos
of songs 10 them and encouraged the
dancers
Toistoy was never contented to enjoy
anything in seclusion. He was like a
lively boy. who, when he has a toy,
Jumps about wanting everybody 10
IL. An electric pencil having been sent
him as present. as soon as dinner was
over Tolstoy sprang up and exclaimed
in solemn tone:
"All who have not seen an electric PEN
Gil write. come along, please"
Three grandchildren and others set off
10 a dark room. but unfortunately the
pencil would not move.
1T is a pity 10 disappoint the children. :
said Tolstoy in tone denoting real dis
SdOSIactiOn anu uiSdppOlntintHt
-
An automobile race had been arranged
between Moscow and Orel The main
road passed Yasnaya Poyana. Toistoy
had been duly warned about the race in
the morning in order that he should keep
OF the highway. But he used the infor-
nation for the opposite end May /, after
breakfast he set off to watch the race.
Some OF the participators recognized him
and waved their arms and hats to him.
one car stopped near him. Tolstoy ex-
amined IL minutely, wished the driver
good luck and the car moved on
IL appears that this was the first time
that the Yasnaya Polyana sage had seen
"A motor car
Afterward he referred to 1t. saying:
II don't think IL likely that i shall see
the aeroplanes But they" pointing to
some children, "will fly, though l would
rather wish that they plowed and washed
linen
Once after dinner Tolstoy was attaching
his signature to photographs and visiting
cards sent him by people who collect
autographs.
Work is in full swing" he said, laugh
Ing. as he signed them one after the
other.
Mr.. Boulanger remarked that Tolstoys
autographs would not have much value
on the photographed market because
there are SO many of them The gram