Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, July 31, 1892, Page 12

THE OMAHA DALY TOLSTO'S LOVING HELPMATE Chat With the Wife of the Great Russian Novelist. HOW THE PHILOSOPHIC GENIUS WORKS How “War and Peace” s Disgusted With the “iKreatzer Sonata” and Looks Upon all His Novels ns Nonsense, Was Written—He [Copyrighted 1892 by Frank @, O urpentor.) Tua, July 10,—[Special Correspondence of Tur Ber. “T'o know all women we must love and be loved by one.’ This was the an- swer in the words of a Franch writer which my husband gave in roply 1o the question as 0 how he could describo just how & woman would think, act and fesl under any and all ciroumstanoes.’ It was the Countess Tolstoi who was speak- g, We wore situing about the samovar in the dining-room of the count's home at Yas- nia Polyana, and were in the midst of a long chat about the great Russian novelist. The count himself was far off in the iaterior, away from the railroads, 1n company with his daughter, taking careof the siok and half- starving peasants, and his wife and the smaller children wero on the estate alone. Ona long trip from the lower part of the Volga to Moscow, I hud stopped over a train 10 pay my respects to the count, and with Dr. Hubbel), the agent of the Rod Cross, had been receivod most kindiy by the countess. ‘We had walked over a part of tho estate, to- gether, bad visitea the peasunts in their homes, had caten supper around the family table, and now 1n unswer to my questions the countess was giving me bits of story and fact about her husband’s intellectual life, ““The count himself, d she, “does notlike to talk about his uovels or his writings, and 1 bug you If you should write to him ot to mention that you have been reading his works. He is always eathusiastio while at ‘work, but when the work is fimished he is dissatictied with it, and does not want it to g0 to the publishers. Ho does not like totalk about himself, and it any one persists in making his writing the subject of the con- versation e will often excuse himself and leave the room The Gountess Tolstol, But before I write further let me give you & fow words about the countess. Sheis to my mind quite s interesting o character as Tolstol himself, and did sbe keep a diary I imagine it would rank in its interesting stories with that of Jano Welsh, the wife of that other philosophic ~ genius, Thomas Cariyle. She bas, for thirty years, been the botter balf of Tolstor's great soul, and sho is today the balance wheel which, as far as possible, holds bim in check and which keeps nim and the family from the poverty of the peasants. A good wifeand a loving mother, she it was that prevented Tolstor selling all be had and giving his property to the poor, and she it'1s who today maunges tho estates, attends to the education of the chilaren, takes care of all the details of her husband’s affairs and his house, and at the samo time cheerfully and uncomplainingly softens the hara road which he would lay out for him- self and his family. The countess impresses you at first meeting as a woman of remark- ‘abie strength of character. She is tall, well formed and fine looking, aud though sho has a s0n 20 years old her cheeks are still rosy, and the gray has hardly vegun to show itself 4n her luxuriant dark’ bair. Her eyes are aark, bright and full of intelligence, and her face is full of kind fecling. She is'a clover conversationalist and speaks English fluently with a slight Russian accent. She is & womanly woman in every sense of the word, and the ideals of womanhood as embodied 1n Tolstol's best characters are takon from her. Tolstoi's love for her and her love for him durmng their thirty years of married life have never been guestioned, and his_studies of women have beon made like Rubens' paintings, with his wife for bis model, How Anna Karenlna wis Written, During our conversation I asked thie coun- tess where Tolsto1 got the character Anna Karening, and the countess’ sister, Countess Kousminski, replied that 1t was lurgely taken from the countess, Madame Tolstol then said: “Yes and no. Thais true in part, and again 1t is nos truo at all. 1 am every- where and nowhere in my husband’s novels. Ho takes his characters from real life, but he changes and 1aealizes them until they are not the same, but are entirely new creations. Some parts of Aona Karenina are almost oxaot reproductions of ourexperiences. The description of Anna's love for her children and her manner of taking care of them are from me, the story of Kittie's courtship and marriage, even to the manner fn which tho proposal was made, is the story almost line for line, of our courtship and murriage, and Anna's sickness corresponds to an illness that [ onco had, The count has been all his life and 1s alwoys studying buman character and he is always 1ioting down in his mind, thoughts, exprossions and incidents for fu- ture uso, He hasa good memory and in s littlo lock box in his brain he seems to store away evervibing and his material 1s always at nis cominaud. Ho has for years carried a pote book with him, and he will sometimes stop In conversation and make a note of any- thing that ho thipks may bo of value In the tuture.” 1 asked the countess if she had any of thess note books at hand, She left the roow for a moment and theu returned with a fat little yellow calfskin-covered note book. It was the size of the averago pocket diary and was filled with writing in Russian characters, the letters being very swall and the lines very closo together. ~ There were no blots and few corrections, and from the date of it 1 saw that it was made at about the time that Anna Karenfha was written, and it con- tained sone of the waterial which wade up that siory. As T again referred to the novel the count- ess told us how Tolstoi began it. _Suid she: “Anna Karenina was born through our old ost boy fulling to sleep while readingur groat poot, Pu akin. His grandmother, Who wus visitng us, loved the boy dearly.’ She was {lland 1 bad an unfinshed poom of Pushkin, which [ was about to read to her. 1 gave way to my son, however, telling him that his grandmother would much rather hear him read it than me, and be was read- iug to ber when he dropped asleep and the book foll open on the tavle. While it was Iying thero the count camo in and pioked it up ana read 1t As ho read the first idea of Anna Kaovenine camo to him and ho left . He wrote al- most_steadily at ituntil be had completed the first drafi, but it was many months be- fore it was Huished and ready for tho press.” Tolstol's Literary Mothods. “Does the count write rapidiy!" I asked. +1 do not think he can be said to produce very rapidly,” was tho reply. “He s very careful as to'the chavacter of his writings, and he belioves the world would be much better off if many of the writers of the pres- oot doy woula burn their works i manu- soript. Ho holds on to his own works as long as possible and boe objec's, as a rule, to haviog them published. Ho enjoys bis work s ho composes, but u great part of the wear and tear comes in the rovision and correc- tion, He rovises bis wriiugs agaln snd gain, god he nover corrects Lis own mauu- script, but he must havea new covy made for him ou clean paper. o is nota very legible writer. as you see from bhis note books, and ho writes on ull soris of paper. <410 picks up anything that comwes to band when & thought strikes him and writes it down upon it. A large part of the two oovels. ‘Auua Karenma' and ‘Wer and Peace’ were written on the backs of envelopes, balf sheets of noto per torn from short lotters, and some of Bi¥best thougkts bave boon penned. on the buoks of old Dicces of paper @pon whioh the ohilaren have boen drawing pictures and have thrown away. For this' reason it is hard to proserve bis manuscripts, and such torod away in the museum r my busbaud bas written bis manusoript it is copied for bim, For years I copled-again ond egain everything he Wrote and now my daughters do it for bim. 1 can't tell you how many times I copied ports of the novel *War and Peave’ for revi- slon and rerevision, but I know that I copied the completed story seven times vefore it was brought Into the state in which it went 10 the printers,” T hore asked a8 10 how tho copy was pre- pared for Tolstol for revision. and ibe ocountess took a sheet of uote paper d doubled over the side of the sheet, leavi o of two lnches attho endsof the “:‘.l'i'ollku swall shoots of paper arranged like this,"" sald she, “and I copy only on ons side of the page. FHe corrects on the margin and sometimes on the other side of the page. He always usos & pen in his writing, and never has any doubt as to the work until it 18 completed, when, from being enthusiastic he becomos discouraged and dissatisfied. One of the groatest rogrets of his lifo today 1s that ho has wasteo, as he ¢ills it, much of his time in _writing novels, and he refers to his novels as ‘that nonsense.'" The Krentzer Sonatn, Doos he ever speak of the Kreutzor So- nata, and is ho, as has been reported, writing a sequel to L1’ 0,"“N replied Count Tolstoi's wife, “‘be hae uo intention of writing anything more along those lines. He said 10 we, speaking of the ‘Kreutzer Sonata,’ not long ago: ‘Plense don't mention that disgusting story again; I am sick of hearine about it.’ 1 don't think he will write anothor novel. Ho is de- voting bimself to philosophical essays upon nis poculrar ideas of what socioty and li‘e should bo, and he regards fiction 4s nonsense and folly. He is now working on a large treatise against war and in favor of national- izing society ana government. Ho thinks the world is all Wrong, and bo s doing what he can to holp setit right. As for tyself, 1 think it is a great wistake, and 1 teil him s0. His forte, it seems to_me, is in_hovel writing, and ho ought to follow it I have ureed him to continue in fietion ard to put forth his ideas, if he could advocate them, 1n a great novel that would stir men’s souls and wnlko them think as he doos, 1f he would do this he could aceomplish more for his cause thun by his philosophical essays. He thinks, however, differently, and we must be con- tent. The Two Tolstols, ““Tn order to understand my husbard and works,” the Countess Tolstoi went on, u must not 1ok upon bim as he is today. His life is made up of difforont periods and ne 1s a different man now than he has been in the past. Until about ten or cleven yoars ago he had what might oo called an almost ideal literary life, during which his bost novels wore written, when both himself ana his family were prosperous and haopy, and when his life was full of enjoyment, leisure During this time be was in- terested in everything that any practical man of the world is intorested in. Ho de- voted himseif to bis family, to tho mauawe- ment of his cstates and found plenty ofgimo for writind. He slept well and had leisuro for everything, Ho was interested in bis children’s studivs and even mastered the Greck languago that he might ula our oldest boy in his study of it. He delighted in so- cioty, and our lifo was full of happiness. Then all at once he changed. The things ho liked best became disgusting to him. Ho roversed the opora glasses and the bix taings of his former life dwindled into notbing, He began to study the caurch, humbled himself and led the life of a peasant. From the writing of fiotion he turnea to philosopby and ethics, and in short his whole nature be- camo different and ho was anotber man.” hen there are two Tolstois 2 said I “I'wo?’ raplied tho countess, ‘“Ihere ave not only two; thero are a hundred. The count changes every duy, and you can never tell what he will be next. He is earnest and honest. in his beliefs, and he is aimost forced 10 do what he thinks to be right. He is mora comfortable now in his haoits of life than he was some years ago. Then he wanted to give up everything to tho poor and havo us all live as peasants do. He does not believe thatono has any right to more than an: other, and with him to believe is to do. I would not consent to this, however. 1 must have my children educated and I said that our lito must be a cvilized one. Ha then re. fused 10 have anything to do with his prop- erty and estatos, and Jor a timo he went on in his way and we in ours, accommoc solves us best we could to hun, F first 1rritable, and would ask why I persisted 10 teaching the ehildeen French ‘and having them governesses for Knclish aud Germa He looked upon our talk und our iifo as ar ficial nonseuse, and his irritation from th of course affected his writing. For u time the children feared to talk among themselves in bus presence lest the subjects of their con- versation would offend him, and then—for they alllove and aamire him—we were very unbappy. Of lags yoars, however, he has been more tolorant. He thinks' we are wrong, but ho permits us to lead our life, and he leads his, conforming as much as he can to ours. There sre manv things [ would change if 1 could, but T must do what 1 best for bim and for us.” These words were not uttered in n com- plaining tone, but merely as a matter of fact about w condition that must be made tho best of. As the countess said them, I thought that_there were faw Amorican wives who wore Lruer ana kinder wo their busbands than she was, and this fact became the more ap- parent as sho weut on to describe some curious features of the count’s present life. ISvery one has heard of his thousand igiosyn- cracies. How ho believes every man should work enough with his hands ,every day to supply his necessities; how he makes nis own boots, and how he wouldyif his wife would let um, make his own clothes! You have read how he lives on the simplest of vegetable food; how he wears the garbof a peasant and gives without stint to all who ask alms! You have heard how he objects to man using force against man uuder any conditions, and bow he could not conscien- tiously resist if bimself or bis family were asssulted. He pays no attention whatever to his estates, and the management of them and the education and training of his children are entirely left to his wife. She has hundreds of peasants on the estate to look after, and with her family of niae children she , 1 judge, all she can do to make both ends meot. Tnat she does make them meet is only due to a remarkable executive ability and not to the literery work of the count, A Great Author Who Writes for Nothing. I askea the countess totell me if it was really so that Tolstol would nccept nothing for iis works. Sho replied that it was true, and that e had accepted nothing from his publishers for years, *He does not think an author has any right to accept money for the products ef his brain,” said she, “and the only money we have had fora long time from his writings came from a comsdy en- titled “The Fruils of Civilization,” shich had :nrun in tho theaters of Russia last n. Ho had relinquished bis voyalties to this 10 the government, and these amounted during that time to 6,000 rubles, or about $3,000. During the present famine it scemed to' mo to bo @ skame that our peasants should be starving and that this money which wa could use 30 well should bo kept by the government. So I wroteto the gov- ernment oflicers in charge of it asking them to let me have it for the famine. "I'toy re- plied that I could have ‘t if 1 would promise that every bit of it should Do used for the famine, and thus 1 got it.” “Has Count Tolstol ever gotten any money from bis American sules? 1 asked. *Hundreds of thousands of his books have been sold there.” “Yes,” replied the countess, “there was once sent to us from America a check for $100, and this Is the only money we have ever received for any of the count's books outsiae of Russia. I did not think best to sepd back the $100 and I gave it to the poor among my peasants. I ao not agree with my busband about the receipts from his books, and if be thought difterently concerning them wo would have enough monsy and to spare. 1f wo received a singlo kopovk (about one-haif @ conut) from each copy of his books that have beon sold we would be very rich. Asit s, we are poor. Not poor, of course, like our peasants, but poor for our condition in life. My sons have to work on their estates, and in Moscow we ure not rich enough to keep a carriage. We could do much good with the money mong our poor if we had it, but the count thinks it is ot right. He would not feel bapoy if we took it, and anything is better thuu discontent and trouble in one's - fumity.” Tolstol's New Christmas Comedy. ““Please tell e something of the comedy you spoke of," said L. ‘1 was written,” replied the countess, “to pleaso our oldest daughter. 1t was at Chrisi- mas time, Lo vears ago, and wo had u nu vor of guosts fn the bouse. The child wanted 10 have s0me private theatricals s u part of their amusements, but [ urged them not to do s0, sayine that they knew how their futher looked upon such things as fool- ish and that it would make him uuhappy. My daugbters, however, said they wouid persuade bim Lo cousento it, and they found # comoedy that ho had bogun sowe y irs ago and the eldest daughter, for whom iho count would do auything, persunded bim to fiuish it and lot thom play it. He took up the com edy and became interested in i, He tinished it and corrociod and rewrote much of it dur- J0g our rehoarsals here, and we bad quite anumber of friends in when wo played it. It has tweuly-six parts in it, 30 you sce it was o small affair. Then 1t was brought out at Tula for the beustit of Lhe prisonors there, and was such & success that it was taken up by the theaters in Moscow, St Potersburg and elsewhere iu Russia. It had B ereat run in St Potersburg, where the emporor aud all of the court and aMclal so- cioty went to see it, and it croated & ourst of Ianghter and anplause from beginning 0,004, The emperor liked it. Ho said It elavated tha poasunts above tho nobility and that it showod the differonces in the two ejviliza- tions." Tha Czar nnd Tolstol, “How doos the emporor regard Count Tol- 1ol 1 asked. “Ho cousidors him honest and earucst 1n his boliofs ana in his life. Hedoes no look upon nim as a rovolutionist, and he bas told tha government, ofcials_thit the count 15 an Bonest man and thioy mast not disturb him. Many of the ofcials do not like my husoand, ana they think ho is entircly too liboral 1n his actions and in his books. It is a mistake 10 supnose b discusses politieal auestions with the peasants. He advises them as to their lifo_and the litue troubles 1n their families, but ho devotes his pen to the set- ting forth of bis ideas, Whother many of theim are right or not is A matter of somo difference of opinion botween us. In ono way, howev 1 think ko has done much good, and that is in the stirring up the pub- lie mind to thiuking of theso questions.” Tolstol’s Favorite Books. T'ho conversation hore took a bookish turn ana 1 asked the countess as to the favorite reading of the novelist. She said: ‘‘Ho was roading Montaigne's Essays when he loft home a few days ago, ana I saw the book Lyiog opea on his table where he had laid it aown. He will take it up in all probability when hie roturns, for he has no time to fead where he is, As to his general reading tho count reads overything. He roads inuch philosopny ana he used to rend many novels. Ho said novel reading rested his brain, and at the same time it was an_intellectual ro- freshment for it. He read *Rovert Elsmere! when it wppeared aud also the ‘History of David Grieve,” but_he dia not like the ltter novel 5o well' as tho other. He considers Zola in many respects a great novelist, and he likos Thackaray and Dickens. He nd- mires Victor Hugo's works, and among American _witers be is espectally fond of “Pnorean and Imerson. He also admires Henry George as o thinker upon land ques- tions along somewhat the same lines as his own, and he has of late yoars read much of Ruskin,” “‘How about postry?” said T. “Count Tol- stoi is fond of poetry, and he 1s of course familiar with all the great posts. Ho espac- ially iikes our famous Russian poct, Pusbkin, and while he was reading it one day I heard him oxciaim that Pusnkin was most beau- uful writer, and that he cousidered him his master.” *Ts he a bible reader?” I asked. “Yos," was tho reply. “'Ho knows every line of the gospels by heart, rnd he reads the bible vary often. He belioves in Christ and tries to follow his teachings as ho under- stands them.," The Education of the Russinn It is inipossible for anyone who has not been 1n Russia to appreciate the ignorance of the Russian peasants. With intelleots naturally strong, they have never been roused 10 ambition or study, and a great ma- Jjority of them cunuot read nor write, Few newspapers are taken by them, and the fam- ily that has any readiog matter in its house istie greay exception. Some yeurs ago Tolstoi organized a cheap library connected with a colporteur scheme which should dis- seminate the bust reading among the peas- ants at the lowest possible cost. A great many books were published at from 1 cent to 3 conts a volume, and theso were good stories, religious tracts, sound essays, and they included the best thoughts of the besy mon in literature. They wore especially adapted to the peasant and were doing great good. They were selling at the rate of from four to five millions a year, and their sales were rapidly guining up to a short time ago, wher, as Countess Tolstoi tells me, the gov- ernment stopped their cireulation, She doss uot think the xovernment 1s anxious to edu- cato the peasants, and she says that tho peasauts’ school which had boen established on the esiate and which was taught by her daughter has been closed by the order of the police, A Visit to One of Tolstol's Villages, At the invitation of the countess we a companied her on a walk to oue of her vil- lages. It lies within a sbhort distance of the nouse ond consists of two long rows of thatched one-story houses, the most of whic are wado of logs, though one or two of the new ones are of brick. We entered some of the houses, and Isaw that tho peasants al- most worshiped the countess. Somo of the young girls among them caught her by tho hand and walked aloug with her, and one young woman leaved out the winaow of her hut and kissed her. “That woman,” says Mme. Tolstol, “is o great friena of mine. She was sick a long time aud I cured her, and now though she has been more than six years married she nas her fivst child. 1t is @ boy. She was telliug we of it and was so happy she kissed me.” As ‘we walkea in I noticed that the houses of the peasants wero far better tnan those of other villages seen aud I asked if the peasants had not Lecome more civilizod aud more ambitious under Count Tolstoi’s teach- ing and example, *'No, I think not,” was the reply. ‘“Ihey take advantage of his good nature and 1 can do notbing with them, They cnoose the best. places for the grazing of their own stock. They do as little as they please and tako what thoy ploase from us, T may object, but, they say, ‘Ob, thecount wiil not do anything tous,’ and the result is the estate s very hard to manage. It has been deeded over to our youngest son (a boy of about 4), 8s is the custom as to the family estate or homestead in Russia, and [ am his guardian. The Count Tolstoi was the youngest son of his father, and in this way the estate came to him. As 10 our peasants, L think they are, if anything, not as good as they wero len years ago. I 5uppose in the far future thoy may improve, but 1t seems w0 me that the outlook is dark." Chatting in this way we walked over the village, then visited the gardens whero the countess ruises all sorts of fruit and vegeta- bles, for her family and atter walking through a magnificont forest slong paths shaded by tall birch trees whose beauty reminded me of the famous cryptomeria trees which line the road to the shrines of Nikko, Japan, we found our way back to the house. The Tolstoi estate contains about 2,500 acres of arable land and forest and its woods are wild, romantic and beautiful. It was given to Tolstoi’s grandfuther by Catherine 1I as a reward for his military services, and though not a large estate for Russia it is & vory fine pieco of property. As it is today Tolstoi re- sides upon it rathoras tho guest of his family than as its owner. Ho would sell it today if his wife would consent and give the proceeds to the poor, aud as the wise wife and good mother that she is refuses to do this he has washea his hands, as it were, of all responsibility concerning 1t and its care devolves entiraiy upon ber. His action in wishing to give up his property was un- doubtedly due o asenseof duty. Hersin in insisting upon keeping him, her family and herself from dirt, poverty and starva- tion was also from the action of the same seuse, and as we drove in a rude droschky through the moonit forest Lo the train last night I could not but think that of the two she has chosen the nobler and the better purt. Her life as it can hurdly bo one of rest and roses and her fices,cheerfully made, though they do vot include the weuring of sackeloth and ashes, are to my mind greater than bis, Tolstol 18 giving up much for his own Ideas. His wife1s giviog up all for him, Fraxk G, CARPENTER. —_—— Buu N, Lo, April 4,1801, Dr. J. B. Moore—Dear Sir: Huvo ' besn troubled with catarrh in wy head and face for three years —at times wis unuble to pear had a constant ringing in my ears and lor two years was almost deaf. Have tried sev eral so-called remedios and been treated by regular physicians and noted specialists, but failed to get any relief. I tried one bottle of Moore's Troe of Life Catareh Cure. It gave lmmediate relief and effected & permanent cure, 1heartily rocommend it,to all sufter- ers of this disouse and will cheerfully give any furthor information ou being -addressed atmy home, No. 225 Sweoney ave., Burling- on, Ta. Kor sale by all druggists. Respectfulily, L Lo Rem. Ponsants, Kor sale by all druggists. ——— Mixing the Metaphor, In the promenade. “Wo keep stop perfectly,’ \\’uuuluh’lu “Yes,” with n sigh. “Well, darling—muy I call you so?—I wunt to usk you to walk with me through life.” *“Thauk you, but I've already accepted an iovitation to ride.” -— Tho **No. 9" Wheeler & Wilson is the oaly lock-stitch machine made that will maintain an even and perfect stiteh at differsat speed Sold by Geo. Luucaster & Co., b4 5, 10th murmured BEE: SUNDAY, JU [ LAUNCHING-PLAYS 1N OMAHA y— Two Companies ;Rehaarsing New Produc- tions at the'Looal The:tars, ON uL ittte Tippert, ™ a Partsian Success, at the Himise of the Stage Dur= News of the Vetossion The dramatic profession rocognizes Omaha 03000 Of thu best theatrical cities in the country, and this is made apparent in vari- ous wuys besides the most obvious one of long engagements. Muany mabagers have found their most profitabie territocy in the extromo west, and it has becowe a common thing for them to inuugarate their tours in this city. Indeed, it is no unusual thing to hear professional people talk of beginuing their const tours in Omaha, as though this city were & thousaud miles, more or less, on the othier side of the Rockies, To stay-at- homes the easy assurance with which vet- eran trayolers like theatvical propie ignore great distances is bewilderiug, but in this case 1t1s ouly au_ in¢ication that Omaba 1s oneof the pivotal poiuts aoout which re- volves a groat business. It has now becomo a not infrequent thing for managers to Jaunch their, ventures in Omaha, aud some of them regard a favorablo reception here as a good omen. George Tuatchor, for instance, has received such Rgenerous.treatment at the hands of Omahans that o s sald to bo superstitious about it and yeritbly considers this city a masoot for him. Last year he launcied “Tuxedo” at Omaha, and as it was a uniquo sort of entertainmont, a mixture of minstrelsy and farce varioty, its imtial performances wero awaited with considerable trepidation. It went in high favor hereand has beon a suc- cossful attraction ever since. Av present there are two companies in Omana rehearsing new plays and proparing t0 opeu tbeir sensons in this gity. ‘Thatcher is interested witu Henry J. Savers iu a new species of farce variety, and their company, consisting of talented and well known peo- ple, jumped from New York, a distane: 1,500 miles, to whip their new play shape und get o hearty western sond off, has the catchy namo of “Cupid’s Chariot,” and its Havor is strongly athletic, bicycle riding by experts being & prominent feature. This compsuy Los been here nearly thres weeks rehearsing at the Boyd, and if the uninitiated, filled with the glamour and the glory of the profession, would like to have that nonsense knocked out of them they should attend some of these rehearsuls—with the thermometer at 1002 and running over at the top. Three times a duy, morning, afternoon and evening, those mcn aud women, whom the learned critic will talk of as this or that kind of “artist and whom the delighted audicnces will en- core a dozon times with wild catealls and on- thusiastic thumping, have to moot on tho stago and go through: their parts over and over again, Thereis a stage mapager, 0o, who takes a flondish delight in finding fault —a tyrant and & wartyr for the public weal. It is **Do this” or “Don’t do that’’ and “Try it again’ untl the performers’ tempers,limbs and lungs are weary, whilo the director has become appreciably bolder through oluten- ing at bis locks i his fits of frenzy. ‘The stage, denuded of its scenery, looks rather like u bara. for u pastoral play, and there is an unconventional variety about the attire of the players, who lounge about in the wost aimless of attitudes when not uctually at_work, that would rudely shock tho imaginations. of thoso simple souls who thiuk of tue stage only as a region of beatific boings in beliting raiment, Hero is an actor who flings & dofi at the ambi- tious mhercury by .toing a violent dance rigged out in all_of the toggery of street wear, oven to a heavy hul. Yondor is a pretty soubeeite in bounet, standing collar, starched waist and impossible demi-train try" ing ata bigh kick with a lofty aim. MRise- where are an actor stripped to_ trousers and undershirt, ana a sylph i a gauzy gown thau is scant fn ' bodice and briefer in skirt--but ool and comfortable. Tho rehearsal is & bewildering porform- anco tothe untutored. It is now u dance, then a song, and ugain a specialty, There is no apparent connection beiween them, and a layman may be excused for doubting that they were ever intended to be welded into one harmonious whoie. These deficiencied will disappear when tho dress rohearsal is roached, and the finished performance of the first night may be one of the very bestof tho wholo season; certainly it hias an inter- desired by a large class of dramatic epicures, Thereis a love's young dream vunning through “Cupid’s Chariot,”” but its central feature is n great bioycle race, just as in “A County Fair,”” and’ other similur works, there is & strong piece of mecharical realism like n horse race, etc. The wheel contest will have a sceno reprosenting a grandstand full of spectators, and barring an exporiment or two in that direction it promises to be the first successful employment of the bicyele in animportant dramatic role. It wili no doubt be worth seeing as a novelty if for no other reason. Prof. Barber, one of the finest bykers in the country, and the Powers brothcrs, also experts, will furnish the bicy- cle flavor and introduce some wonderful work on the wieel. Messrs, Thatcher and Sayers have called togotner a company of very clever people, and the rehearsals indicate a production of considerable variety and excelleat amusing quality. Miss Alice Ivans, the soubrette, is potite and sprightly and has an unaffected manper that 18 genuinely engaging. She promises to make a_hit in her singing and dancing, and Omabans will have a chance to seo @ brana new thing in the shape of the “Wairlwind Dauce,’ in which she wears an intricate skirt with forty-nine yards of airy stuff o its folds, The four widows, a turn that bas made a great nit in “Miss Helyett” and i “A Trip to Chinatown,” will be introduced with an origmal sone. Mr. Sayers claims to have originated this bit of pusiness for “Tuxedo,” from which it was appropriated by’ the others. There will be plenty of pretty new music, and C. B. Ward, a ballad singer with a sympathetio voice, and George A, Smith, a basso profundo who has been under engage- ment with F'rederick Archer, ought to bo strong features. J. C. Stine promises to bo a very funny comedian, and James Powers, as @ tramp, will be & bizarre character. This company 15 virtually hard at work from 10,in the morning until late at nizht, and will not reach its first'dress rehearsul until Wednesday. Omatia's first-nighters may have a look ut the new play Friday evening. The company will nexb visit Lincoln, Fre- wont and Sioux City atid theu work east. At Detroit it will_meet “Tuxedo,” and George “Phateher will take a nizht off 'to seo s new proporty. ‘The tour 1s's0 arranged that in a number of the big eastera eities *“Tuxedo’ will play the tirst mre? nights of the week and *“Cupid’s Charfot™ the last Lhroe. Duncan B. Harrison who has dropped John L.Sullivan aud embasied in a more ambitious stylo of entertainmeént, is another mauager with a kindly feellfg for Omaba. He also brought & compauy“from New York direct to this city, snd b players bave beon rebiear: ing twice a asy at'the Farnam Street the tor, concluding yestérday with two dross re- hearsals. This aftoribon they will give their tirst porformance of “Little Tippett.” From Omaba the compaby'will work its way out 10 San Franeisco tid then go back to New ‘ork for an unlimitéd ruo. SLittle 'I‘lpvun," whis written by Alexandre Bisson, one of the most successful of Freuch dramafists, It has bad a very successful caroer for wo seasons in Paris, and the Fronch vorsion has voen adapted by Harry and Edward Paulton, to make it suitable for English {deas of propriety. The - play is a farcical comedy and is con- cerned with complicutions produced iu the households of Austin Tippett and Oliver Newton, law partners, They have been suc- cossive husbands of an sdvouturess, from whom they are both recently divorced. She sends word to Newtan that e has becomo a futhor. Newton is marr ud bis second wife does not know that Lie was proviously wedded. e alters the letters 50 28 L0 make it appear that it 1s wristen to Tippett, who is aiso remarried, but temporarily separated from his wife. 'The latter, accompanied by her own ehild, whose uirth is unknown Lo ‘Pippelt. arrives upon the scone at this juac- ture. Vory smusing complications follow. Tippets thinks that tho child is that of bis “CUPID'S GHARIOT" AT THE BOYD | estof its own that makes it tho morsel most | PAGES, FILLED WITHOUT PAIN. . At Last We Have It. 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BASKETS CMAFA FAtKE FACTORY, §000 por day order OMAHA TENT AND AwNING Co. “lags, hammos bberclothing, Sen ataloguo. 1113 Fay Capacity FREDKRUG BREW- | OMAHA BREWING ING CO. ASSOCIATIO Our bottied cabinet boer | Guaranteed to equal out- dellyered o any part | sido brands of the olty. port bottled b 1007 Juckson Stroot. doliverod to famliles. Caprolty st Omohn ox —_— ___ BOILERS. CARRIAGES, WILSON & DRAK! DT Tubular fines, of THE OSTERHOUD' Spring Wagon Mfg C incorporated. fring on short no- tce, Carriage palntin 18011503 Cass. SMOKE BLUE SEAL CIGAR. Nebraska Manufacture, Jacob Jaskalok. Special brands mado to ordor. 1 Patrick Ave divorced wife. ‘o further mix up the skeins the child of Mrs. Tippetv’s nurse becomes confounded with Latule Tippett and is kid- napped by Newton in mistake for tho one he belleves to be s own. The bewilderment reaches its climax in the third act, but all ends happily, the lotter of the adventuress having been proved a blackmailing affair. The cast is made up of such well known actors as Messrs. Edward M. Bell, Charles Bowser, Harry Allen, Harry Morgan, Heory J. Bradley and Charles ~Harris, Misses Mabel Bert and Marie Lewes and Mrs. Harry Bloodgood. The two babies are ac- companied by their mothers and were selected by Manager Harrison from an assortment of forty offered by a New York dramatic agenc, Bottle-bred infants were de- sired, and Mr. Harnson's ef- forts at selection must have been amusing. Ho passed up and down the line of forty babes offering a bottle of wilk, and those who did not make a grab for 1% were ruled out. In this connection a brief sketch of Bis. son, the author of “Little Tippottyh will have a vimely interest. Bora in Parls in the vear 1354 of extromely poor pareats, bis father & commissionaire, or, as we would call bim o this coun- Lry, @ MESSenger OF POFLer, young Bisson had more kicks and cuffs than’luxu- vies, and up to the outbreak of the Franco- Prussian war led the lifo of a veritable strect gamm, It was at the seige of Paris, or rather at its conclusion, that the turning point ot his career presented itself. During the seige he in common witn the youth of Paris had enrolled himself in one of the many batallions of defense, and while in this service bo won the love and admiration of Dis comrades and attracted the attention of as ofticers by the exhibition of his qualities and temperment. He was eiftad with mar- velous powers of wimicry, guick av repartee, with a keen sense of humor, and of & satiri- cal yet kindly disposition, buoyant and jovial to a degree and possessed of bravery and daring in the oxtreme. Among those who were attracted by his personality was Colonel Gervaise, After tho capitulation of Paris Colonel Gervaise sent for Bisson and proffered nim & term's tuition at the Acadamie Cervit, which generous offer was promply sccepted. During nhis term at the acadamio young Bisson wrote a number of satirical songs, largely dwell- ing on the German ocoupation of Paris and the political phases of france. These songs became Inteusely pop- ulur and were sung in every concert saloou and cafe chantant throughout France. They sorved their purpose and made Bisson the subject of discussion aud the he.o of the hour, and resuited in innumerable offers for his appearance in public. To all of theso proffers he turned a deaf ear, but tinally ac- cepted the post of satirical commentator on the staff of Lo Petit Journal, then and now the most popular newspaper in Paris. - Shortly following this advent” and still auriog the occupancy of Paris by the Gor- Bisson wrote and prouuced his firsy ‘entitled, **La Diable Allamand,” or 1n English, “The German Devil.”” ‘Tnis play was proauced at Les Varietes and scored an inatantuneous sucoess, but was saporossod by the Fronch authorities after its fifth per- formance on sccouut of its keen satiro on the Gormans and the intense feeling it engen- | dered. It resulted in uo less than sixteen | challenges to duels being sent to Bisson by various German officers, three of which be fought. e was the victor in two, but in the third was severoly wouudea and lnce- | paclated for a number of months, After convalescing, Bisson turned his en- tire attention o tho writing of plays, of which he bas written over ninety. Tho proportion Of successes achievod by his works has been truly marvelous. At no time have any of hls plays been pronounced failures. His most succossful play is now 1| its third year in PParis under the titleof **Lo: Joles la Paternite,” the Koglish adapta- | typewritton pagos. OMAHA STEA) DyE WORKS, Clenning and dyelng of every description. 1541 Howard Strest. [OMAHAMILLINGCO OMeo and mill, 1313 North I6th Strost. S F. GiLMaA 10131617 . E. Black, " FURNITUAE. HE OMAHA MAT TRESS CO. Mattrossos, foath 1 1ows and com o b trado only 1112-14-16. Harney St. — e RUBBER GOODS. | SADDLERY. OMATA RUBBERCO | MARKS BROS' Manufacturing and_fob SappLery Co. bors of all kinds~ of |Stock saddles and light ah Brand” | harnoss aspeclaity. 107 1520 Farnam 8t. | Harnoy street. Fubbor RoOds, CI7AS. SHIVERICK & Furniture, Carpets and ~ IRON WORKS, N & ViER- | INDUSTRIAL LING IRON WORKS. Worxks. Wronght and east fron | Mfg. and repatring bullding. work, engines, | - kinds machiney, 714 brass work, ete. 14th St. IroN all 5. OMAHA SAFE AN IrON WORKS. Sufes, vaults, Jall work OVERALLS. PRINTERS. REED JoB PRINT Ka1z-NuYINS Co, oo 202-4 Douglas Streot. Boe Bulld tion of which is called “Little Tippett,”’ now in its second year in London, The American rights have been purchased by Harrison & Bell. Bisson is better known in _America by his “Wilkinson's Widows,” “The Lottery of Lova” and *The Nomines,” Two years ago he was decorated by President Carnot with the cross of the Legion of Honor, as an ex- emplification of the manner in which Bis- son’s works are sought. It is but necessary 1o state that all of his prospective plays for the next five years are purchased or con- wracted for, aud in many iastances the con- tract price already puid. Such is the case with the now play for Charles Frohman in which John Drew will be starred, and the new play for Duncan B. Havrison, which ocauaot be delivered before 1504, Thls 1s & most enviable record for a man scarcely 38 yeurs of age. « Georgie Cayvan is doing Japan. A Now York suthority says farce variety companies are decreasing. Nat Goodwin will opea the season in Sep- tember with **A Gildea Fool.” Manager Burgess returned Wednesday from a pleasure wrip to New York, Daniel Fronman has vooked the Kendalls for another farewell tour of Awerica next year, Dixey, who is playing in “Mascot,” makes Lorenzo & gentlemauly old fop iustead of @ buffoon, Emma Hauley, formerly of “A Straight Tip,” will take the place of.the late Kate Castloton in *"The Dazzler.” D'Albert is putting the finishing touches to bis opera, *‘Ler Rubin” (“The Huaby), tho text of which he wrote. David Blakeley is in Europe negotiating with the Koolner Maeunorchor for a tour of this country during tae World's fuir. Aud now it is given out that Fay Temple- tyu will bo in a traveling company to put A Trip to Chinatown” on the road. scagni is writing a bymn to bo sung early in August at Loghori on the occasion of tne unveiling of tho statue of Victor Ewm- manuel, There has beon recently discovered in the library of a St.Petersburg lady an auto- raphio acrangemeut of Weber's “Der Srelsohutz’ DeWolf Hopper will resume with *Wang” August 15, Ho will have anew elephant only four feet high that will introduco a new 1iné of spacialfios. The American deamatist is catching on, Of the new attractions heard in New York 1ast season fifty-four wero by native writors and thirty-six by foreignors. During the recent opera season at Vienua, lasting cloven months and ten days, no fower than sixLy 0peras by Uhirty-pighl composers, and fourteen ballots, were mounted. It is stated that an enterprising English mauager Proposos Lo take into Lhe provinces a compsany which shall enact nothing but dramutizations of the works of Dickens. Payne Clark, tbe leading teaor of Hiorich's Awmericun Opera compiuy of Philadelphia, has declded o remain in this country tho cowing season aud SI0E ib concerts and ora- torios. Joseoh Holiand has & part fu the now play, “Settled Out of Court,' that covers 135 1vis said o huve more lines than any oher role ln the modern drama. *Litule Tippeu,” which opons it season at the Farnam Street theater toulght, was re- hearsed for two woeks at Hermaun's theator in Now York and jumped direct from that city o this. Verd, the great Ilalian composer, is at presout’ lu Milun and has closed with the Scals wspagement for the first production of 8ASd, DOORS, BLINDS ROSENBERY H. F. Capy Luy stair ralle, BER CO. ustors,seroli | omice ana bank_work n ok e eteptionsd: | ORI AR BN ~ SYRUP. FARRELL& Co, Proservos, Minca a Appln Butter, Syrups, 3 1] South Seventh St. Monufacturers of Unton Sonp. 115 Hiekory street. ~ TRUNES, H. H. MARHOFF. M'f's trunks, traveling bags and sy 03 1514 Douglas St. stoves stovos WHITE LEAD. CAnTER WHITE LeA » Co. Corroders and_Grinders Strietly pure white load his latest opera, “‘F'alstaff,” this coming sca son. A uew idea is to be operated by Kthel Norton, an English Actress, who hias bought of Rudyard Kipling the exclusive right to sing his poems as pallads in London musio halla, The production of Sir Arthur Sullivan's “Ivanhoe” at Berlin, which was first an- nounced to take place during the past win- ter, is at present fixed for the end of Sep- tember. I1da Mulle, the tiny, plump actress whom wo used to know as Cupid in various bur- lesques, has been the wife of Benjamin Tut- hilt_for soveral years, and now in Chicago she is suing for a divorce from him. Tt foll to the unhappy lot of Louis James lately to play Uncle Tom, in *Unclo Tom's Cabin,” with the Miuneapolis summer com- pany of which heis & member. Julie Ar- thurs was tho Efiza and George R. Edeson the Mariks. o At the t'ual coneort of the snasonl cecently given by the pupils of Mme, Marchesi at tho Salle d, Paris, tho successes were mado by two Americin girls— Miss Blancho Tay- lor of New York and Miss Susanna Adams of Boston, Professional visitors to Adelina Patti ot her Welch place are uncommonly numerous #his season, and that fact seoms to be ex- plained by another one—that sho gives weekly entertainments at her castle, thoso guests appearing thereln as monologue por- formers. “A Trip to Chinatown’ is sald to stand fifth among the plays having had long runs in New York. It has reached 275 perform- ances. ‘“Adonis” had 600, followed by umpty Dumpty,” “Hazel Kirke” and wo Orphans,’’ Tennyson's *The Forestors' is to ve scni out for a long American #our and undor a few method of business management. Au agent is to go ahead and try to securo sub- seriptions, failing in which no performance will bo given In the oity thus declining to re- spond with a gzuarantee of profit, Frank L. Perloy, press agent for Barnum & Balley, Is in the city. He will be advance agent for Mmo. Modjeska noxt seasov, aod announces a sumptuous rovival of Henry » which will visit Omaha after the holi- Two carloads of scenory are now nainted for this work, and the strong ©st company evor supporting this star is being The Carleton club, an amateur thoatrical organization 1 Chicago, offers u prizo of £500 for tho bost threo or four-nct comody. ‘Tho werits of the plays in competition wiil bo judeed by a committes, of which Maua- @er MeViekor 1s chmrman. The prize play will becoma tho property of tho club, bot will bo returned to the author to bo sola for the professional stage upon the roturn of tho £500. In six yoars the Carloton has given fifty-nine public performances, Miss Alico Evans, the sorightly little soutretto with “Cupid's Charior,” tells with great onjoyment the story of her first chanco of a speaking part. She and her sistor woro working at Ubrig’s Cave, St. Louls, she in the chorus, but Agnes, ber sister, had one pretty little scene in' tho play, One day Agnes foll ill and was unable to appear, Alico was to play her part. All day 'long sho rohearsod the sceno before her mirvor, telling horself that having once seen hor 10 the part, the managoment would not couseut to Agnes returoing to it. In the evening sho lav down undengs tres ot tho cave, still thinking bow sho would play that woudor- ful bit, the wand that was L0 open to hor the door 10 future und groater speaking parts, any finally wake of hor & star of tho first magnitude and—ber dreaws of futuro groat ness morged luto real dreams--and when finally sho awoke, 1t was to loarn that to 0006 on which sho had built her bopos over. No ono would waken tho sloping child, The next night Agues reurned to the purt,