The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-02-15
New Publications.

1872. From A. L. Bancroft l. Co.
Since the publication of Little Women,
no American novel has so thoroughly inter
ested us as the volume above mentioned
The title itself is very suggestive, and admira.
bly, adapted to the story which follows. The
aim of the book is to teach that, however
satisfactory in6delity may be while health
and riches and friends are spared, the mo
ment trouble or sickness comes the unbe-
lever is like ship without rudder, entire
ly at the mercy of the waves. Another
motive of the book is to show the power
and efficacy Of prayer, where worldly ankle
ties beset one, as well as in the conversion
of those we love. Here is brief synopsis
of the story: Dennis Fleet, the hero, is
obliged by the death Of his father to leave
college, and find some employment, by
means Of which he can support his mother
and two little sisters. He goes to Chicago,
where, after numberless discouragements, he
is glad to accept menial position in large
art store. 1t is his duty to sweep, dust,
open boxes of goods. and even to blacken
the boots of the clerks and salesmen. His
employer is naughty German; the heir e4-
pectant of estates and the title of Baron in
the land of his birth, and whose sole ambi-
tion, in which his daughter joins him, is to
become immensely wealthy, and then return
to restore the somewhat decayed family
name, and to choose for his beautiful daugh-
ter husband among the mobiles of the land.
Christine Ludolph, the daughter of Dennis
employer, is cold, statuesque beauty, an
infidel like her father, and worshiper of
Art, in devotion to which she determines
some day to win bright laurels. She is dis
pleased with the arrangement of pictures,
bronzes, and statuary in her fathers store,
and receives his permission to go through
the whole building, and, with the assistance
OF one Of the clerks, change the stiff ap-
pearance which everything presented to one
Of grace and beauty. Dennis, who had pre-
viously been promoted by his display Of
taste, is appointed Miss LIS assistant, and
in this way they became acquainted. At
first, Christine had treated him with perfect
contempt, as she saw him busily employed
in backing boots and busting pictures but
she soon learned that he was not the Pat
Murphy whose place he had taken, but a
veritable Christian gentleman. As their
labors together approach completion, Chris
tine invites Dennis TO assist in the prepara-
tions for some tableaux and other exhibit
tions Of art, which were to take place at a
certain aristocratic mansion that evening.
Delighted with the invitation-for Dennis
was already wonderfully bewitched by the
naughty beauty-and feeling that at last he
would be treated as an equal, he makes his
appearance at the time designated,is lis ushered
into parlor where there are number Of
young ladies, and receives from Christine no
introduction whatever. Thoroughly indig-
nant, Dennis vows never to be caught in
such trap again, and silently, but proudly,
does the duties required of him. As the
evening approaches, and the singers drop
in one by one to rehearse their parts, the
tenor is missing, and in their distress Den
mis- modestly offers to take his part. Great
scorn and amazement from the young ladies
follow this offer, and while every one expects
him to make a fool of himself, Dennis dis
plays voice of unusual power and beauty
The young man wins great applause by his
evenings performance. Christine is filled
with wonder, while Dennis discovers that he
loves the girl whom it is utterly impossible
for him ever to hope to win, and whose in
idel belief makes him fear that it is sin
for him-a Christian-to cherish such an
affection. At length, Christine discovers
Dennis regard for herself. and determines to
reproduce on canvas the wonderful eloquence
of face, on which she could by her smiles
or frowns produce any impression che liked.
Incapable of love herself, or rather never
having felt its power, she had with all her
skill been unsuccessful in bringing out the
soul in any of her efforts on canvas. Now
she determines to succeed, and making va
rious pretenses for drawing Dennis much
into her society, she worked with all her
heart and soul. At length, the young man
unable to stand the rack of uncertainty
longer, tells his love, and while he speaks
she puts the final touches upon the picture.
All at once the truth reveals itself to Lis
mind. and as she exclaims with delight over
her success, he takes brush and draws it
over the face which had caused Christine
so much labor, and himself SO much misery,
After angry words, they part; misunder-
standings follow; Dennis, from over.exertion
and disappointment, comes near deaths
door, and Christine discovers that she loves
the man whom she has treated 30 cruelly
Finally, the great Chicago Ere occurs, during
which Dennis performs many noble deeds
and saves Christine's life, while her father
who had interposed everything between their
reconciliation. perished in attempting to res.
cue some valuable papers from the store
Christine, for whom so many prayers had
been offered BY Dennis and his devoted
mother, becomes Christian during those
terrible hours Of waiting by the lake, and
barriers burned away" the two, who a
first seemed so far apart, are made happy i: