Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1883-11-23
LITERARY NOTES.
New Books and Late Magazines.
Books RECEIVED.

|
), CLASSICS for CHILDREN.-Merchant OF We
nice, n neat volumn. CHM, Heath IL &c
= Boston. Price q cts.
MODERN FRENCH RsADrSGs-by W. Knapp
Street Professor Of Modern Language
In Yale College. CHM. Heath Il Co., B0s
ton, Price LILO.
I BANKER OF BEDroKp,-by J. X. Musick;
novel. De1.othrop q Co.. Boston, 2o5 PIP
Price s1.25.
This novels not only '.American,
but also western; western" not only
in the location Of Its plot and the char.
, acters depicted, but its breezy, offhand
and energetic style indicates that its
writer is also awestern man. In this
respect at least, it possesses a value
over many so called stories Of western
social lite, dlshed up after the conven-
tloDal style by some writer who never
: set his foot west of the Alleghanies or
mingled day with the people he at
tenrts to depict. In this book one
meets with familiar faces, and marked
characteristics on almost every page.
Some ofthe characters, especially in
The lighter and more humorous parts
of the story are given with a fidelity to
real life that reminds one of Dickens.
|"Abe Kennedy" is a character in
his way, and is thus described
Uncle Abe had characteristics pecu-
liarly his own. In appearance he was
nearly six feet high. His form once
erect, was now slightly bent his hair,
once black, was iron-gray; his long,
fall beard. white as snow. and his shag-
gy eyebrows almost as white. On week
days Uncle Abe, dressed in common
homespun, and generally in his shirt
sleeves, hauled wood or store on his
wagon. On the Sabbath, attired IN his
best. he sat in the pulpit with the
preacher; for Uncle Abe was preach
er himself.
He was honest. kind-hearted, and
gertle, with a happy disposition, jovial
voice. and determination to speak
his mind. Uncle Abe was loved and
respected by all for his sterling virtues.
The BOYS considered him their special
friend because he was always kind to
them, always ready to tell them funny
stories, at which he laughed just like a
boy.
Nick Leeper used to say: "Oh, it's
so jolly to see Uncle Abe laugh!
twas amusing. His mouth spread |
as suddenly across his face as if it were
a spring-trap, his eyes became mere
horizontal lines, his eyebrows spread in
a most comical manner, and the old
man bent forward half double.
Uncle Abe was loved by the poor
because he was one of their number.
He was loved by all good men because
he was good. He was respected by
the wealthy on account ofhis influence.
The sinner and the Christian loved him
because Uncle Abe. Notwithstanding
his peculiar characteristics, was also a
Christian.
One of Uncle Abe's favorlte expires.
sions was "well now there's some sense
in that as sure as you are foot high" {
The leading characters of the book +,
are Pop and Joe, boy and girl, waits
eft to roam the streets and "grow up"
for, the Banker, Judge, a
mysterious Phllanthropist and Uncle
Abe and with these and other mino,
characters are woven a tale of more
han ordinary interest the elimination :.
# which terminates in the panic" :
ear, when the bank. closed their doors !,
nd left their depositors to whistle for a
heir hard earned savings. This is de- E
cribed with rare power, and some of a.
he situations are intensely dramatic, but a:
t course everything comes out right te
, the end Tne book grows on the h,
eader, and one is 10th to lay 1t down :
IL the final word IS reached. p