From the Diary (Tolstoy)
Short summary
Leo Tolstoy visited his friend Tchertkoff, who was banned from living in Toula Government. During his morning walk through fields, Tolstoy encountered a young peasant plowing with a proper plow and a well-fed mare.
The plowman was Alexander, an eighteen-year-old from Botvinino village. He had been orphaned at seven and became master of his household at fourteen, managing everything himself with no help.
When Tolstoy asked about drinking, Alexander admitted he drank vodka but acknowledged it brought no good. Tolstoy urged him to quit, telling him about another villager who had given up drinking and prospered.
Very well then... it can be done! says he, quite unexpectedly, and in a joyous and resolute tone. Do you really promise? say I, surprised. Well, of course! I promise, he says, nodding his head.
Detailed summary
Division into sections is editorial.
The morning walk and encounter with the young peasant
Leo Tolstoy stayed with his friend in the Moscow Government, visiting him because his friend was exiled from Toúla Government and could live anywhere except there. Before eight o'clock, Tolstoy went for his usual morning walk on a hot day. He walked along a hard clay road past acacia bushes and yellowing rye-fields with cornflowers, then entered a black fallow field that was almost completely ploughed.
To the right, an old man in rough peasant boots ploughed with a poor, skinny horse, shouting angrily at his animal. Tolstoy wanted to speak with him but the man was at the other end of the field when Tolstoy passed his furrow. Further on, another ploughman worked with a proper plough and a big roan horse. This well-built young man was well-dressed and wearing good boots, and he pleasantly answered Tolstoy's greeting of "God aid you!"
Learning about Alexanders life and circumstances
The young ploughman halted when his plough could not cut into the hard track crossing the field. Tolstoy asked him about his equipment, and the man confirmed that the plough was much easier to use than a sohá. He revealed that the plough had nearly been stolen by one of his own villagers, whom he had prosecuted even after recovering it. When Tolstoy questioned why he prosecuted if he got the plough back, the man simply replied that the thief was a thief.
What then? The man will go to prison, and learn to steal worse! He looks at me seriously and attentively, evidently neither agreeing nor contradicting this, to him, new idea.
The young man had a fresh, healthy, intelligent face with hair just appearing on his chin and upper lip, and intelligent grey eyes. He left his plough for a rest and invited Tolstoy to sit under nearby bushes. There, Alexander revealed he was from Botvínino village and was hired to plough and sow this land twice. He owned the fine mare himself and lived independently.
Yes! I was left fatherless at seven... since I was fourteen I've had no help in all my affairs, and have worked and earned, says he, with calm consciousness of his dignity.
Alexander was eighteen years old and unmarried, living with his mother who did housework while he managed everything else. He owned two cows and worked wage-labour with and without his horse to supplement his insufficient land. When asked about military service, he replied with calm resignation about being conscripted, speaking of it as people speak of unavoidable things like old age and death.
The temperance discussion and solemn promise
When Tolstoy asked about drinking vodka, Alexander reluctantly admitted he did drink, though he acknowledged little good came of it. Tolstoy then told him about Sergéy Timoféevitch Koúzin, whom Alexander knew, and how they had started a Temperance Society twelve years earlier. Koúzin had given up drinking and now lived well with a well-managed house, which he would not have had if he continued drinking.
Tolstoy encouraged Alexander to give up drinking, calling him a nice, good lad and asking what he needed vodka for when he admitted no good came of it. Alexander remained silent, looking intently at Tolstoy. As Tolstoy prepared to leave and held out his hand, he urged Alexander to give it up, saying it would be such a good thing. Alexander firmly pressed Tolstoy's hand and unexpectedly promised in a joyous and resolute tone that he would quit drinking.
Old age or illness, or both together, has made me very ready to cry when I am touched with joy... sobs rise to my throat, and I step aside, unable to utter a word.
The simple words of the kindly, firm, strong man touched Tolstoy deeply. After regaining control, he reminded Alexander of the proverb about being slow to promise but keeping promises once made. Alexander assured him it would be safe. Tolstoy offered him leaflets and booklets about drink, which Alexander thanked him for and promised to collect during the dinner hour.
Evening meeting and revelations about character
Alexander did not come during dinner, and Tolstoy suspected their conversation was not as important to the young man as it had seemed. However, Alexander arrived in the evening, perspiring from work and the walk. After finishing his work, he had ridden home, put up his plough, attended to his horse, and walked a quarter mile to fetch the books. Tolstoy asked if he had changed his mind about his promise, and Alexander confirmed he would keep it, adding that he had told his mother, who was glad and thanked Tolstoy.
Alexander mentioned he was betrothed and would marry in autumn. When Tolstoy asked about his bride's dowry, Alexander replied she had none but was a good girl. Tolstoy then asked a personal question about Alexander's moral purity.
Have you ever sinned with a woman? Without a moment's hesitation, he replied simply: God preserve me! There's been nothing of the sort! That's good, very good! said I. I am glad for you.
Tolstoy concluded by reflecting on what splendid, fertile soil Alexander represented for sowing good seeds, and what a dreadful sin it would be to cast upon such soil the seeds of falsehood, violence, drunkenness and profligacy.