The New York herald., 1877-08-27
LITERATURE.
The Author of "Helen's Babies" in
a New Role.
Who Wrote the Second Act of
the "Danites?"
THE SALUTATlONS OF NATIONS.

sosx roIIs BY John Haboertou, author OF "Hslsn's
BABIES &C Sold only by, Inscription. New
York: Derby Brolhors N-S
The drm Of Derby Brothers Is . new one, but
the na'no OF Derby Is an old one in the book
trade These young are ''sous Of their father"
Mr. J. c. Derby, OF Appleton's, and are pronounced
chips Of tho old block. "Somc Folks Is their FIRST
venture, and II promises to be successful one. They
have becn fortunate to get book from Mr. Habberon,
who is to-day the most popular author In America
'Somc Folks" entirely different from the style he
s best known by, and s 10 our thinking, more worthy
Of popularity tho books that hays gone before
The present volume made up OF stories wrtton by
Mr. Habberlon 1vc years ago, although
there arc u number Of them ncw The old ap.
peared in Frank Lesiie's Niustrand Newspaper aud
Chimney Corner, from which they reprinted signed
H. A. Burton. The stories are strong aud rough and
deal with the Bret Hare clements, and while they
havo great deal OF the humorous quality of that
author they lack his pathos Mr.. Habberton says 10
his introduction Many OF the sketches contained 10
Some Folks were written by me during the past i've
years, and OF them published by Mr. Leslie in his
illustrated Newspaper ana hts Chimney Corner, from
which journals they have Ueen collected by friends
who believe that in these stories is displayed better
workmanship than havo since done. For myself
claim for them only an unusual degree OF that
Although at present mildly tolerated in
The East, was brought up in tho West,
aud have written largely from recollection of
some folks have known, veritabe men ana women,
scenes and incidents, and otherwise through the
memories OF Western friends OF good cyesght and
bearing powers. Should any accuse me OF having
initiated Bret Harte's style shall accept the
tion as a compliment, for know Of othcr Ameri-
story writer worthy to be taken a tcachcr by
mon who acceptably tell stories of now countries For
occasionally Introducing characters and motives that
would not be considered disgracsu In virtuous CON-
munes can only plead In excuse the fact that wen
10 the new West, folks will occasionally be uni
lormly thoughtful, respectable and honest just as In
divduas sometimes are IN the East"
The first story in the book Is entitled "The School
Teacher At Bottle Flat and In II find one of tho
best situations IN Mr. Joaquin Miller's play OF "The
Danites" II does not occur In Mr. Miller's novel,
"The First Families of the Sicrras from which "rhe
Danites was taken, but forms the leading incident in
The second act OF his new play Those who have
the play will remember this net, where q party OF
miners standing around IN a barroom wditing tho
arrival ol tho school teacher, whom they suppose
will bc a man. Not wanting the young idea OF that
district taught In the ways OF the East they ay' for
that teacher with clubs ana whatever thoy can hnd,
and determine TO give him warm reception The
Mr.. Habberton tells the sory:-'.They are In tho bar
room waiting the arrival OF the stare; the Judge
passes his pouch TO the barkeepcr with the remark f
anything Is DO done 1t must be done
lively, cur the stage is pretty nigh here Tell
ye what's as good as anything. Wen crowd around
the STAGE fust thrown keards for who's 10 put out
his hoof to be accidentally trod to by tn Internal
teacher gits out Then satisfaction must be took
out Of the teacher I'm be job fur these teach.
srs haven't the spunk of coyote, an ton to one he
Won't hev no shootin' rons tho job III to be
lone with fists"
"Goodl" said Nose .sThe crowd drinks with mo 10
square jot and no backn'! Clinch the pas,epoards
Jedgo. The-dckens!" For Nose had got FIRST Jack
"Squar" job and no backn'.' said the Judge with
grin. THERE'S the sra.e now-hurry up, fcllers!"
Tho stage drew up with crush in front of tho
Nugget and the passengers outside and in, but
looking eacherish, hurried into the saloon. The boys
scarcely knew whether to swear from disapponi mcnt
" qualification, when start from Nose drew their
tention again to the stage. On the top stop appeared
! email SHOE above which visible small section
Of stocking far whittier and smaller than Is usual in
the mines In an instant a similar shoe appeared on
the lower step and the boys saw successfully, the
edge OF dress, waterproof cloak couple OF small
govcd hands, bright muller and pleasant face,
covered with brown hair, aud bonnet Then they
heard cheerful voice say
'1'm the teacher, gentlemen; can any ore show me
The school house?"
The miserable Nose looked ghastly and tottered A
suspicion OF wink graced the Judges eye, but hc
exclaimed, in q stern, low o:"Square job an no
backiny"
Another singular coincident Is that this teach
sr's name Is Huldah Brown, and she is ncknamed The
''wdder." The effect OF Mr.. Habberton's wdder on
The camp was the same as Mr.. Millor's "CaroDdelct
Joe' came in clad in pair of pants which slender
,arou-hued scrpents asconded gracefully In gray Co
rintnIan columns, while from under the collar Of a
whito shirt appeared crava:, displaying most of
the lines OF the solar spectrum. Several
stovepipc hats visible IN camp, aud even a pair
Of gloves were reported IN tho pocket OF . miner
Yankee Sam had sold out his entire stock
and prevented bloodshed over his only bottle
Of hair oil by putting it up at rattle in forty
chances At an ounce chance His stock of white
shirts, seven Lumber, were visible mary forins
bis posket combs and glasses all gore and there
had been a steady run on needles and thread" Tho
reader who has seen Mr. Mler's play will notice the
striking similarity. AS Mr. Habberton's story was
written some years ago, aud as Mr. Mer's play is not
week old, 1t Is very evident that Mr.. Habberon did
not get MS idea from Mr.. Miller With the except ion
Of tho Bic Piper business, the plot OF the play is the
Iame this little story Ono OF the hrst rules to be
learned in piaywritng Is 10 help yourself Wherever
you find go,d idea II Is the ART Of appropriai ing
other peoples ideas with cleverness that makes the
successful playwright. Mr.. Miller has begun well, aud
has made capital acting play and ono that Is bound
to make money. This similarity may. however. bo II
singular coincdent--such things havc happened bc-
Iore-and not plagiarism.
In the Last Pike at Jaggcrs Bend there a touch of
rough pathos tnat Is quite worthy OF Bret Harte
Sans WHO is very III and she has sent Tor Sam come
to bedsde the doctor and nurses leave tie hus-
band and wife together.
.'sam, doctor says amt got much time left -"
"Mary," said sam, "I wish tor God could die fur
yer. The children"
"l's them want TO- talk about, sam," replied his
vile. can, ! wish that they could die with me-
rathcr'u hcv 'em live ez I've he'd ter Not thet you
sin't been KIND husband TO me, Tor you how When.
ever waniod meat yev got 1t, somehow; an when
gov boon ugly drunk yev kept away from the house
But Pm dy,n'. sam anu irs cos you've killed me-"
Good God, Mary" cried the astouished Sam,