The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 31, 1901, Page 4

THE SUNDAY CALL. HE name of Gwendolen Overton is already familiar to the readers of San Francisco Argonaut as a r of good tales. Many of her rt storfes give evidence of com- ent, but her best work to date recently published by the Mac- ny of New York. It at once Overton as a leader among novel writers. For that mat- k, “The Heritage of Unrest,” edit to any of the writers who hits along similar lines. She nessee woman by birth, though ove outhwestern States. ady run into a second one week of publication. s particular story is laid ins of the Southwest, of Arizona, and the period fetime of the heroine—a career is shad- ed ood. ably vivid plains during e in does not a maudiin nd just in ns, the Indian grabbing policy, As to the absolute r statements and deduc- require some one whose ence or intimate connec- them in a position to re general reader her words 1 at least conform to accepted money s it would exper likely that people will read n's book in the light of 2 his- nor yet again as life at these South- n an officer’s troubles merely sitt g in the small t True it would serve se purposes admirably, but they e subservient to the strong tale s unfolded as the reader hurries d that at times Miss Over- sketchy and inclined to ers almost short stories 1 it still she has the knack nging her characters so forcefully s eye and possesses the fac- nting her incidents so vividly - is carried on and on in r chapt some cone takes the book away you by force you will find it to be merely re pages a matter of one consecutive jing, and when 1 say “hurries over the 1 mean not because they are un- inter: ng but quite the contrary. Miss Overton possesses that art which made the beoks of Dumas so impossible to put down; or, for an example of more recent date *h made the *“Prisoner of Zenda” keep = list of library readers on the walit- ing card. There is very little of comedy to be the pages of “The Heritage of but there is much of tragedy and of the kind that racks men's souls. g chapter tells of Lieutenant alry troop making a forced on the desert, of the gradual using f all the extra horses, of the break- ing of the leg of a horse when there is 5o other animal to replace the one gone then of tne realizing of that rider that he must follow the troop on foot. It is either the chance of one man’s life or the loss of many. T oldier has been the boyhood friend of Landor and before being left behind makes a confession and exacts a promise from the enant that he will care for this m: little daughter. The chiid’s mother was a half-breed Mescalero wo- man. Landor is true to his trust. He gets Felipa, has her educated and finally mar- ries her—not because he is In love with her but because he thinks that it is his duty, and he knows that he likes her well enough to risk the lack of affection, Landor hates Apaches he would rat- tiesnakes and the girl's iInheritance through her mother of one-quarter Apache is constantly coming to the surface— sometimes in a little way that merely ex- esperates, such as her habit of dress, and then again in a more serious manner, as ber jove for making animals fight and her lack of sympathy or understanding of physical pain in others. ipa admires Landor, respects him and is as true to him &s steel; but meverthe- less she knows that he has not won her heart and, worst of all, meets & man who @oes win her love, 2 Cairness is really a fine fellow, although he, 100, possesses the “heritage of un- rest.” He is an Englishman by parent- age, but a man of no country by choice. It is a strong situation where these two children of soclal pariahs first find their IndiansT" 1o arrive at & question indirectly. married & squaw?’ He flushed angrily, then thought better of It was rarely her way “Have you it, because after all the question pertinent. So he only answered severity that he most certalnly Pelipa could not help the light came on her face, but realising confused. He helped ker out. “I have drifted In a way,” explain. 1 left home when I end the spirit of savagery and unrest not im- of me. I can't break away. And I'm not even sure that I want to. You, I dare say, can't understand.” Yet he felt so sure, for some reason, that she could that he mierely nodded his head when she sald briefly, “I can.” *“Then, 100,”” he went on, ‘‘there is something in the Indian character that strikes a respon- sive chord In me. I come of lawless stock myself. I was born in Sydney”s’ Then he stopped short. What business was it of hers where he hcd been born? He had never seen fit to speak of it before. Nevertless, he intend- ed that she should uaderstand now. So he made it quite plain. “Sydney was a conviet settlement, you know,” he said deliberately, “and marriages were promiscuous. My grand- father was an officer who was best away from gland. My grandmother poisoned her first husband. That is on my mother's side. On my father's side it was about as mixed.” He aned back. crossing his booted legs and run- ning his fingers into his cartridge belt. His nrer asked with a certain defiance, what going to do about it, or to think. And what she did was to say, with deliber- on equal to his own, that her mother had heen & half-breed Mescalero and her father a vate. Despite such unpromising stock, Miss Overton succeeds in making out of her# characters a man and- a woman Wwho carry the reader's sympathy to the end. According to the author, fidelity Is evi- dently an Apache virtue, and In this re- spect Felipa is a thorough Indian. The tdea of wronging her husband never en- ters her head, and Calrness, too, is equal- Iy true to his friend. Landor accidentally finds a letter on a dead prospector. This letter had been given to the miner to deliver to Felipa and is an avowal of love from Cairness. In part it reads: “I do not ask for so much as your friendship in return, but only that you remember that my life and devo- tion are yours, and that, should the time ever come that you need me, you send for me. I will come. I will never say this to you again, even should I see you; but it 1s true, now and for all time.” Felipa reads the letter to her husband and frankly admits that she loves Cair- ness, but she scorns any suggestions of a legal release. Miss Overton decribes this dramatic incident with characteristic lack of gush and consequent gain ii strergth: “And you care for him?" She nodded. » “Are you certain of it? You have seen sc very little of him, and you may be mistaken If he had had any hope it vanished before her unhesitating, positi ; 1 am not mis- taken. Oh, no He tock a chair facing her, as.she put the letter back in its envelcpe and laid it in her work-basket. It was very unlike anything he ever imagined concerning situations of the sort. But then he was not imaginative. **Should you be glad to be free to marry him?” he asked sirit of unbiaged discussion ked at him in perplexity and surprise. could 1 be? There is no use talking tated, then blurted it out, in spite of fnward warning that it would be unwise. cu free yourself,"” ! > be altcgether in the wrong. Do you mean divorce?’ She sald it like an unholy word. He had forgotten that the laws and rites of the church of Rome had a powerful hold upon her, though she was quite devold of religious He admitted apologetically that he ant divorce, and she expressed her re- ach. In spite of himself, #nd what he ught ought properly to be the tragedy of the air, he smiled. The bumor of her majestic jroval was irresistible under the circum- s. But she had little sense of humor. t would you suggest, then, If I may e he £aid. He had to give up all pathos in the light of her deadly simplicity. “othing,” she answered. *I can’t see why ake any difference to you, when it t She had altogether regained the self-possession she had been surprised out of, with an added note of reserve. And so‘he had to accept it. The secret of Miss Overton’s success in making Felipa the strong and interesting character that she is lies in that author's method of contrasting good and evil. Here she brings out an Apache trait that is commendable or there one that re- volts, She makes her character live and breathe and catches the varying moods with a sure stroke that is as absorbing as it ic at times surprising. Her work suggests the style of Hamlin Garland. Felipa has her evil traits as strongly marked as her good ones. At times she is cruel with the fiendishness of the In- dian and all without in the slightest real- izing her actions from the standpoint of the white man’'s code of humanism. She gloats over a battle royal of her own arranging between a tarantula and a vingarone. She delights in a fight be- tween two wild steers and then at an- other time the blood of savagery rises in her to such an extent that she disobeys her husband's commands and In his ab- sence goes forth on a still hunt of her own. It is at such times as these that the reader’s sympathy with Felipa is sorely shaken, but the interest in Miss Overton’s work 18 unconsciously height- ened. When the Apache taint Is most strong- 1y in evidence is where Felipa goes forth oh the warpath on her own account. Her husband is away on duty and hostiles are in the neighborhood. The heritage of unrest comes to burn in her brain and she buckles on her hunting knife and re- volver to go out into the freedom of the night. Wandering by the river she hears 2 murmur, a rustle. s Felipa's revolver was in ber hand and cocked and vointed stralght between two eyes that shone out in the blackness. And 8o, for an appreciable time, she stood. Then a long arm came feeling out, but because she was look- ing along the sight into the face at the very end of the muzzie she failed to see it. When it closed fast about her walst she gave a quick gasp and fired. But the bullet instead of going strajght through the forehead beneath the head band, as she had meant it to do, plowed down, The grasp on the body relaxed for an Instant; the next it had tightened, and o branch had struck the pistol from her hand. And mow it was a struggle of sheer force and agility. She managed to whip out the knife from her belt and strike time and again again through sinewy flesh to the bone. The only nolse was the dragging of their feet on the sand, the cracking of the willows and the swishing of the blade. It was savagc against savage, two viclous, fearless beasts. The Apache in Felipa was fully awake now, awake in the bliss of killing. frenzy of fight, and awake, to0, in the instinct which told her how, with a deep-drawn breath, a contraction, a sudden drop and writhing, she would be free of the arms of steel. And she was free, but mot to turn and run—to lunge forward, once and again, her breath hissing between her clenched, bared teeth. ‘The buck fell back before her fury, but she followed him thrusting and slashing. Yet it might not even then have ended well for her had there not come from somewhere overhead the sound most dreaded as an omen of harm by all Apaches—the hoot of an owl. The In- dian gave s low ery of dismay and turned and darted In among the bushes. virile, but beyond this it would not be fair to author or reader to outline the turn ot the plot. Sufficient it is to say that Miss Overton shows the masterhand in nar- sative fiction and any one who reads the first chapter is sure to finish the book. It is safe to prophesy that this volume will be ranked among the most popular ones of the season. (Published by the Macmillan Company, New York. Price '$150.) B. G. LATHROP. PG ki Out for Business. “Out for Business” relates the various haps and mishaps which befall a sturdy country youth of hizh moral aim, who, by the harsh actions of his stepfather, is compelied to leave wiat had once been the best of homes and go ferth into the world to make his own way. The h:ro finds the path to fortune no easy one to tread, but he is bright, clever ahd ‘“out for business,” as 'the title of the baok implies, and In the =3d we find him on o TCllen Thorneycroft Fowler as ready knowledge of the language, both- for reading and conversation, is an es- Eeruction is' 'ffi“““.;r..,..n,“’ o that suce ~em] by the author in his classes at the Naval Academy. This makes the grammar & practical working text-book. Its sim- Pplicity and clearness of presentation are noteworthy, and it contains all the es- sentlals of syntax without entering into theoretical or abstruse questions. It gives constant drill in sentence building, as well as ample practice in ms fllustrative Spanish sentences. A spe- clally important and helpful feature is the introduction of numerous selections chosen from newspapers and representa- tive business and Social letters and forms. (Published the American Book Com- pany, New York. Price $1 25.) Lessons in English. “Introductory Lessons in English Lit- erature,” by I C. McNeill, president of the Seventh Wisconsin State Normal School, and 8. A. Lynch, teacher of Eng- Jish in the Central High School, Superior, Wis., is the outgrowth of experience and observation in teaching English to be- ginners. A number of selections are given from the leading authors, and this number has been restricted to allow of careful and thorough study of the mean- ing and forms of expression employed. The selections chosen represent the prin- cipal forms both of prose and poetry. Each of the selections is followed by gen- eral exersises which treat of its themes, its plot and the lesson or moral suggested by it. Then come special exercises which explain grammatical and rhetorical points and all historical, legendary and geo- graphical allusions contained in the selec- tions, concluding with suggestions and themes for compositions on the subjects treated therein. At the end of the book are added short blographical notes on each of the authors appearing in the work. (Published hi the American Book Company, New York. Price $1.) a Writer of Short Stories. LLEN THORNEYCROFT FOW- LER is already well known as a writer of novels. We now have the pleasure of making her acquaint- ance as the author of a very charming book of short stories. It is not often that the successful novelist can turn about and give to the reading world acceptable short stories or that the shart story writer bred in the bene becomes the author of a book of any length that is worth reading. Each line of work requires a distinctive talent in itself. Miss Fowler is to be complimented upon her recent book, ‘“Cupid’s Gerden.” All of her stories in this volume deal directly with the wiles of Cupid, and her pictures of steadfast love in old age are as beauti- ful and charming as those where the pas- sion has still the warmth 6f youth, She writes with deep sentiment and yet with an eplgrammatic humor that makes her stories delightful reading. In mnearly all of the fourteen: stories she works her little plots out on the cumulative method —holding her surprises until the end, when the climax is most effective. Take, for example, her story of the life- Tong devotion of an old couple who are well toward the sundown of their days. In “An Old Wife’s Tale,” Mr. Weatherley lives a lifetime with his wife, and he calls her his Rachel. Once there was a dread. ful fire, and Weatherley saved Rachel's life, while her sister, Naom!, was burned to death. In his effort to rescue the sis- ters Weatherley lost the use of his eyes. For long years the husband cherishes his wife, and Rachel’s devotion to her blind husband is touching. When Weatherley dies it is then that Rachel declares that she is Naoml. 1t is in making the extraordinary out of the ordinary that Miss Fowler shows her skill. Her dialogue is remarkably bright, and she frequently says things that stick in the mind as especially apt and clever. it 1s not only what she says but the terse way of saying it that catches the fancy; as, for instance, what the old gentleman has to say of love In his own day and af- fairs of the heart in the present genera- tion: “In my time a young man fell in love with a young woman and never rest- ed till he had made a suitable home for her. Now a young man makes—at his leisure—a suitable home; and then, when he is middle-aged, furnishes it with the woman of his acquaintance who bores him the least.” = Or here is something better yet: “We have more love stories than we used to have, but less love; just as we have more dentists than we used to have, but fewer teeth.” Here also is a truth aptly put: “If death does not knock some of the non- sense out of a man, what will?" Her description of Major Mackintosh and his idea of the modern female is characteristic: 3 “He loathed, with all his chivalrous soul, the modern female, who smoked clgarettes and boarded public platforms. In his young days, he said, women had worn haloes, and had seemed like an- gels. But in his young days women had also worn crinolines, and now the one article of attire appeared to be as much out of fashion as the other.” Incidentally, Major Mackintosh is the hero of the story “A Lost Plefad, is in search of an ‘“elderly lady” to whom he may offer his heart and hand, but at last is forced to the conclusion advanced by the mililner of whom Mrs. Fowler writes: “Once upon a time, dur- ing the last season, a customer at a milliner’s in Regent street innocently asked for a bonnet such as would be suitable for an elderly lady. ‘Madam, there are no elderly ladles nowadays,’ was the stern reply.” There is some excellent humor in the author’s description of a fire in a board- ing-house where, in the excitement and confusion, the Major meets for.a few minutes “the being whom he had sought 80 long—an old lady.” But, alas, he never sees his dear elderly lady again, nor does he recognize her when “one day a youngish-looking woman, with a curly brown fringe peeping from beneath the shadow of a coquettish sallor-hat, did endeavor to lure the hapless swaln into conversation; but he turned away in the Dbitterness of his soul and would have none of her. What were young women in sailor-hats to him, whose heart was filled with the image of an old 'ady in a velvet mantle and a nightcap? * * * And hé never knew that the old lady of the nightcap and the young woman of the sailor-hat were one and the same person, only she wore her halr, as Ophelia her rue, ‘with a dlfference.’ * “Cupid’s Garden” is published by D, Appleton & Co., New York. Price, $1 50. A S A L IV I L e LS B the fair road to a success richly deserved. “Out for Business” is one of two tales _begun by that well-known juvenile writer, Horatio Alger Jr. The gifted writer was stricken when about to finish the storv, and when he saw that ne could not com- plete the tale it wds to his fri and fellow-author, Arthur M. Winfleld, that he turned, and an outline for a conclusion was drawn up which met with his ap- proval. It is this outline which has now been used to bring the story to an end. Mr. Winfleld's style Is very similar to that of Mr. Alger and there 1s no doubt that the boys will enjoy the volume. (Published by The Mershon Company, New York. Price §1'25.) ' Grammar. Samuel Garner, Ph. D., recently pro- fessor of modern languages in the United States Naval Academy, appears as the author of a Spanish grammar adapted for the use of schools and colleges. In view of the constantly growing impor- tance of the relations with our Spanish- g thia, which wil oiahied such as W] ¥ -mere, though he secretly Daunay’s Tower. "bmnny’u Tower,” by Adeline Sergeant, is a dramatic bit of flction, though based on a rather improbable foundation. One dark and stormy night Jane Arnold received, while standing at the entrance to John Daunay’'s queer dwelling-place in Cumberland, from Dr. Lechmere’s hands, @ new-born baby, and with it all neces- sary instructions. For no less than elghteen years the father made no sign of affection for or interest in his child, though he paid all charges regularly and appointed Lechmere to examine the little Anabel at frequent intervals. Great was the consternation when John Daunay ap- peared upon the scene, and bluntly de- manded of his daughter that she should express her willingness to marry her cousin, Jocelyn Daunay. This, while, as it were, blindfolded, the girl refused to ~do. As a matter of fact, there was in her heart !.?»t affection for Drh lochun.t whose for t Iy slightest degree encouraged. Poor Lech- worshiped An-. 1 helped her to -into an ardent love if it had been in the therefore shrank from indulging his heart at the expense of honor. How An- abel reached to happiness at last, after treading - paths, it is not for us to tell. “Daunay’s Tower” will not disap- point Adeline Sergeant’s admirers. (Pub- lished by F. M. Buckles & Co., New York. Pries $1 2.) Ralph Marlowe. “Ralph Marlowe,” by James Ball Nay- lor, Is a novel with a good wholesome tone and written in a style which holds the attention from cover 1o cover. The hero is a young man with a secret in his life, who goes to the little village of Babylon in Southeastern Ohio to make & new start as a drug clerk for an original oll “character, a diamond in the rough, Dr. Barwood. The doctor js a gruff old spect- :I&n. but a man with a hu.r!" .::‘h gold. er a few verbal passages new clerk he finds that he has met ln?- match, for Marlowe, while fully realizing his po- sition as helper, insists upon conducting -his private life according to his own con- ‘victions. He and his employer become fast friends and the young man is the accepted suitor for the hand of the Jdoctor's young- est daughter. The doctor realizes that there has been more in the life of his young assistant than he has been toid, for by accident he finds that the younx man posseses a diploma and is a physician of 5o mean ability. The human interest portion of the story is contributed by a leiter to Ralph from Stella (to tell of the exact relations ex- isting between the two would be to spoil Dr. Naylor's plot for the reader). It Is sufficlent to say that this letter falls into the hands of his flance, Dolly Barwood, through the jealousy of her sister, and casts a fascinating glamour of mystery, only to be unraveled in the last pages. The book 18 easy reading, for the matter is largely in dialogue. The author is very skiliful in the difficult art of character drawing and his descriptions of the life in this typical country village are charm- ing. The personnel of his novel are rec- ognized Immediately as -distinct eccen- trics, yet the pictures are not In any in- stance overdrawn. The diction through- out is pure and simple and with its lack of profane expressions should make ex- cellent reading out loud. An old janitor, a dependent on the char- ity of the good-hearted doctor, figures on many of the pages with his laughable thoygh “fishy” reminiscences. Dr. Nay- lor's touch is such that it will make of the people of Babylon real friends for the reader. The author cas been known to the newszpaper world for a number of years as A writer of accentable verse and fiction, although this is his first real ven- ture between covers. The book is full of Jaughable incidents, told fn a most win- ning way, and, with its fascinating lova story, ¢éannot fail to please all classes of readers. (Published by the Saalfleld Pub- lishing - Compzry, Akron, Ohlo. Price $150.) Elocutionary Manual. A book has just been published under the authorship of C. J. Birbeck and with an advertising flyleaf reading as follows: “Select recitations and dramatic scenes with actions and empnasis. an elocution- ary manual, containing 100 selections from the leadinrg poets, orato~s and dramatists supplied with copious and. minute direc- tions for their correct, graceful and im- pressive delivery.” ‘£he unique part of Mr. Birbeck's effort lies in the two charts resembling a series of deaf and dumb al- phabets, " which take two pages of the first part of the book. One of these pur- ports to show arm movements and con- sists of cight strong -ight arms in differ- ent positicns of cloquence. The other gives *“hand positions” and has fourteen ed and eloquent appeals. Mr. eck’s scheme is this: With elght “arm movemen's” and fourteen “hand positions” you become an orator at once. For example, under the “Song of the Sword” you read: War, war, war! Musket, and powder, and ball; 14. Ah! what do we fight so for? Ah! why have we battles at all?”" You notice at the beginning of “War” there is the figure 13, and you turn hastily to your chart at the front of the book and find from the picture there showr In a graceful wood cut that the hands should be clasped with the thumbs up. Contin- uing, you read in the third line “An!” with the figure 14 before it; pursuing tie same policy as In the first line, you find that the arms should be crossed with the right arm in front fingers out straight. In addition, there are numerous cabal- istic signs, also with & key, which give the proper accent and tone of voice, and there are marginal side remarks such as “Interrogative,” ‘“‘regretful,” “low tone,” “|nflectl§n s low,” “sorrowful,” “much feeling,” ete. It is a great thing that at last some ona has come forward who is able to get the “science” of elocuticn down to the fine point of fourteen hand, positions and eight arm movements, with a few trimmings of accent and modulation. Mr. Birbeck’s scheme should work neau- tifully and to perfection on a cigar store Indian—or its imitators (Published by Joseph F. Wagnmer, Newv York. Price, $1.) Kodak Sketches of Two Little Girls. A story book for children which pos- sesses the trinle merit ¢f unique illustra- tions, excellent reading matter and clear typography is “Kodak Sketches of Two by Mrs. Emma Cockrell Mrs. Baldwin tells of two little sisters and . their immediate friends—Whiteslip- pers the cat, Victor the dog, and Polly the parrot. Incidentally Mr. and Mrs. Mous2 have their say and play their parts in ths story, as also does Pug Nose, the dog from next door. The author writes in just the veln to please chiidren and the book should delight all little tots whose parents are kind enough to read it aloud to them or who are old enough to read it for them- selves. The type is large and clear ani the vocabulary not bevond the grasp of a young reader. The greatest charm for the little ones will be found in the 1'lustrations, which are reproductions in half-tone of photo graphs of real little boys and girls and dogs and cats and horses which were caught by the camera just as the story was being written. Altogether the booi is a very charming one and deserving of a warm welcome. Tt {s sure to make a hit with the youngsters. (Published Ly the Ideal Publishing Company, Boston.) Eugene Norton. In “Eugene Norton,” bv Anne S8hannon Monroe, a pair of eyes and hypnotic sug- gestion play an important part. Cathar- ine Musgrave has developed all the ami- able features in her mother’s character without her timidity: and all the mentai strength of her Scotch father without ils digposition to tyrannize. Catharine comes upon the scene in Ber- lin, on the concert platform, where she has been placed by her German music teacher. Possessing a flne voice, and thoroughly trained, ine is, nevertheless, about to collapse through stage fright, The accompanist begins the prelude, but the singer cannot make a sound; whila the sympathetic pianist begins over again to give her time, her eyes wander in wld search for help over the audience, ani suddenly the faces all become converged in one face. “A pair of calm masterfu! gray eyes meet and hold her as by force.” And this time she is able to atrike her ncte—rich, full, perfect. She sings stralght through to the end, never taking hac eyes from their keeper, and ‘wins the ‘hearty German Bravo! Bravo! Th.,& pair of “ , masterful gray eyes” had much to do-with the heart his- tory of Catharine uumve'.i?uo reads the book will learn ihat not triumph in & 3 during after years of and deadly peril, until she final. ‘won the goal of this l'fe in the wedded . . 3 Oedipus Byrannus of Sophocl: A new edition has just been issued of “The Oedipus Tyrannus of Sophocles,” edited by Mortimer Lamson Earle, pro- fessor of classical philology at Barnard College, Columbia University. In this edi- tion the text has been carefully collated with all stghdard versions and represents as nearly as possible the exact words of Sophocles. An introduction discusses the plot of the play and the earlier phases of the legend of Oedipus, and deals also with the characters of the play and the ques- tion of its date. The commentary gives constant attention to the development of the plot, while numerous citations of par- allel passages are made, both from Sopho- cles and from other authors. An appen dix treats very fully of the meters. Th book is very suitable for use In colleges and universities, (Published by the Amer- lénfin.)nook Company, New York. Price Literary Notes. “‘An Affair in the South Seas,” by Leigh H. Irvine, which is to be brought out shortly by Payot, Upham & Co., the San Francisco publishers, is sald to be a strik- ing story of adventure In the dreamy beit, a yarn replete with the charm of incident and the thrill of life in the great summer ocean of the tropics. Jullen Gordon (Mrs. Van Rensselaer Cruger) contributes to the April number of the Smart Set a long short story, “In Palace Gardens,” that was awarded $20 in the recent prize contest in this ma zine. It Is a story of Americans in Flor- ence, where Mre. Cruger sojourned during the past year, and is written with remark- able power. MecClure, Phillips & Co. have just pub- lished “A Sack of Shakings,” by Frank T. Bullen, F. R. G. 8, a collection of essays and stories of sea life from the sailor's point of view. The term “shakings” on board ship is appled to the bits of rope, canvas and miscellaneous Waste that ac- cumulate during a voynge, and which are considered the perquisites of the first mate. The increasing hold that The Delineator has upon the affections of American wom- en isishown by the fact that the growth of the March issue over February was 90,000, being 590,600 in all. The first edition of 540,000 was exhausted within three days after publication, and 50,000 more copies were needed to fill out the requirements. The first edition of the April number, just on sale, 18 650,000, The following gives some idea of the In- crease in recent years in the demand for good fiction. The figures are supposed to approximate the totals of recent sales: “Eben Holden,"” 250,000; lice of Old Vin- cennes,” about 175,000; “The Reign of 130,000; “In the Palace of the 105,000; “The Master Christéan, *“The Cardinal's Snuffgox,” 70,000; “Eleanor,” about 0,000; “Tommy and gr&:flel"' 60,000; “Stringtown on the Plke,” The scenes of the story in George Ho; ton’s new novel, “Like Another Helen, are lald in Greece, where the author's four years of residence at Athens as United States Consul gave him brilllant opportunity to glean the best kind of ma- terial for imag'native work. The present book, as well as the papers on “Modern Athens,” now appearing In Seribner’s, proves that his literary and artistic bent found ample scope. Owen Johnson, whose novel “Arrows of the Almighty” is to be published next month by the Macmillan Company, is the grandson of Judge Nimrod Johnson, who ‘was at one time a law partner of Gov- ernor Morton, the war Governor of Indi- ana. His is an old Indiana family, a member of which, Henry N: Johnson, rep- resented Indiana In Congress not so long ago. This is Owen Johnson's first ap- pearance as a writer. He was chalrman of the Yale Literary Magazine and was in the class of 1900. “The Prince of Iilusion,” by John Luth- er Long, author of “Madame Butterfly,” is & collection of short stories to be pub- lished by the Century Company. The one which gives its name to the book is the tale of a little blind boy who belleves that he 1s a prince. How the mother keeps him unconscious of his squalid surround- ings is the story. Others in the book are “Dolce,” “The Dream Woman,” “Ein Nix-Nutz,” ete. The author’s previous book has been made the subject of & sue- cessful play and will soon be made Into an operetta. A publication with a theatrical atmos- phere soon to be published by Charles Scribner’'s Sons is “Mrs. Gilbert’s Remin- iscences.”” Everybody, of course, identi- fies Mrs. Gilbert with the delightful come- dienne assoclated for so many years with Mr. Daly's company. Mrs. Giibert has woven into her narrative a large amount of the most interesting reminiscence of the earlier days of the stage and of famous actors and actresses that many of us were famillar with in our younger days. The book has been edited by Mrs. Charlotte M. Martin, and will be found delightful reading. The April “New” Lippincott Magasine opens with a complete novel, as usual. This month it Is a stirring detective story by Mrs. Schuyler Crowninshield, wife of Admiral Crowninshield, which keeps the reader guessing up to the final pages. «Mysterious Miss Dacres” is the title, and Josephine Dacres, the heroine, well de- gserves the designation. Among other things which puzzle her ladyship is Jose- phine’s undeviating habit of walking on the grass beside the path—never in the path itself—but this is only one of many of her peculiarities, though it is a straw in the wind which points in the right ai- rection. With a good strong plot to start with, Mrs. Crowninshield makes the most of striking situations and sprinkles plen- ty of humor thiough her diverting story. Tda M. Tarbell will tell In McClure’s for April of “The Disbanding of the Con- federate Army,” an article of strongest interest, and, too, of historical jm- nce. ‘*Walks and Talks with Tol- stol,” by Andrew D. White, Embassadar to Germany, will give a realistic picture of the great Russian genius. “Plowing,” by Martha MecCulloch-Williams, will de- seribe with delightful sympathy a day among fields and furrows in the South. In fiction this number will contain an in- staliment of “Kim,” by Rudyard Kipling; a story of amusing imagination in child- life by Josephine Dodge Daskam; a nar- of rative of a Wall-street deal, by Edwin Lefevre, and other stories. The Iillus- ‘trations will be abundant. Among the artists who will contribute are Edwin Lord Weeks, Cowles, Orson Lowell, A. Radclyffe Dug- more, F. Y. Cory, Frederic Dorr Bteels and W. R. Leigh. ‘W. A. Fraser, author of “Mooswa and Others,” has just written for early pub- Hecation in the Saturday Evening Post a short, stirring serfal, entitled “The Out- casts.”” The outcasts are an old buffalo and a wolf dog and the greater part of the story is about the strange comrade- ship and striking adventures of these companions and their pilgrimage, in com- pany, to the distant plains of deep grass, of which the wolf-dog knew. Thers are action and strength of word and phrase In the story, and the touch of the soil and the music and charm and somber- ness of the forest. The rush of the fren- zied buffalo herd to death is told with splendid dramatic power. The plan of the book {s a unique conception and it 1s worked out on novel and entertaining lUnes. “The Octopus,” the new novel by Frank Norris, published next week by Double- day, Page & Co., is to be the beginning of a remarkable undertaking. Though a novel complete in itseif, this will be the first “Trilogy of the Epic of Wheat,” or three related novels, the first dealing with the production of wheat. the second with its distribution, and the third with the consumption of American wheat in Eu- rope, altogether forming the story of & wheat crop from the time of its sowing in California, through the Stock Ex- change gambling based on it n Chicago, to its use as the relief of a Huropean Mr. Norris has befors written some extremely clever books which cause a thrill to those who seek it in fresh and courageous invention. Mr. Howells has seid that he has “divination of human character,” especially ‘*as different in man-nature and woman-nature, and soma curfous glimpses of conditions. This new novel, dealing with the fight of the raflroad “octopus™ and the wheat grow- ers. is sald to ralse the standard of this author's work and may go further to make Mr. Norris, dealing with modern California wheat, what Bret Harts was to the early gold country. it A Among the new books to be issued by D. Appleton & Co. is “A Landmark His- tory of New York,” by Albert Ulmana, who has treated the city’s story from a novel point of view. Instead of following the customary plan of dealing with facts and alluding incidentally to historic sites, the author has described a series of ex- cursions to old landmarks and woven the history about them. The erection of tab- lets within recent years in many parts of the city bas helped materially to identify important sites and to give a deflnits sense of realism to the story of the past. To make a tour of these memorials in their proper order and relate the interest- ing events connected therewith is the plan of the book. Thus, in turn, one visits the old Dutch settlement, the early English colony, the city as it looked before the Revolution, the captured town, the Federal capital, the city as it appeared when the Erie canal was completed, and finally the modern metropolis. Coples of old prints and rare maps and many plates made from recent photographs help to empha- size the landmark feature of the work. A special effort has been made to render the story particularly interesting and att tive to.the young: at the same time, the the careful reproduction of inscriptions, exact location of historic names, an planation of the origin of street nain and a comprehensive bibliography list of references, must prove of value to the teacher and the student of history George Barr McCutcheon, who has writ- ten a captivating story in “Graustark,” enough of a journalist to have had many experiences, and some of them amusing Once at a dinner he responded to the toast, “A Woman's Smile,” giving a hast- ly writien bit of verse to suit the occa- sion and the ladies. Among the guests was a man from an adjoining city, and so much was he delighted with the response that he asked Mr. McCutcheon to write it on the back of an envelope for him. A few months later Mr. McCutcheon attended a smail dinner party in a city not far from Lafayette, and among the guests was the man who had admired the response. Everything was informal, anc it was not long before ome of the ladies called for toasts. The “admirer,” as he may be called, was the first one urged to “say something nice.” He arose and pro- fusely apologized for what he was about to perpetrate, admitting that he had writ- ten some verses hurriedly for a little af- fair that did not ccme off, but if the oth- ers would promise to “throw no plates™ he would give a toast to “a woman's smile.” Forgetful that the man who wrots them was present, he recited the verses gallantly, and then modestly sat down, with an uncertain sort of applause as his recompense. Suddenly the man remembered that the writer of the verses was sitting directly opposite and he began to turn a flary red. He lost his power of speech and was the most uncomfortable person who ever studied a plate at a dinner party. As soon as the ladies left the room he dragged Mr. McCutcheon off to & corner and ex- claimed: “I want to expiain, old man, Don't think that I had forgotten that you Wwrote tbat toast. I was not trying ta steal your thunder. It was and Is my In- tention to introduce you as the author when we go into the drawing room and create a little diversion—" “That’s all right, Mr. D—" Interrupted MeCutcheon; “don’t say another work about it. It's nice of you, but really I don’t see how the deude we can carry the thing out as you intend. You see, just before you got here this evening our host- ess actually forced me to repeat those verses for the crowd—and I &id so. usiutied-Sumain Books Received. THE STRANGER—By Mattle Balch Loring. The Abbey Press, New York. IL THE LAND OF FIRE-By Louls Charles. The Mershon Company, New York. 50 cents. LOST ON VOLCANO ISLAND-By Mark Marline. The Mershon Company, New York. 50 cents. A KING'S PAWN—By Hamilton Drum- meond. Doubleday, Page & Co, New York. §150. 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