New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-07-29
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
DR. HAMMoNDs NOVEL.
LAL: A Novel by WILLIAM A. H,MMoNp' l2mo pp


with especial interest on account of the celebrity
which the author has acquired in work of very
different kind bat il will not depend for popularity
upon any outside considerations. IL possesses the
great merit of being interesting from beginning 10
end The characters are striking, and several oil
them have an element of originality; the incidents
are abundant aud elective; the situations are well
devised. and If there is not much intricacy IN the
plot there Is a certain hustle and rapidty oil move
ment which answers instead of more complicated
machinery Here, il will be seen, some of the
most important qualities of good story; and We
risk nothing in predicting for La" notable
success.
The scene of action is a rude mining settlement III
the Colorado of much rudcr period than lhe
present; and in this lawless community sac py S'uo
with cut-throats gamblers horse thieves, VigalleS
and miscellaneous rufians. the author has pia'eo
rich and highly cultivated physician, his Oeautli'H
daughter and a philosophical Polish patriot WHO
medtates in the solitude of the New World tue com
position of a profound book. The devices by Wh'ch
the strangely associated actors in the drama are
brought upon the stage are somewhat forced put
The personaqes are SO well cOntrascd and their con-
duct fits so well with their characters and the pan
of the story hatthc reader will not find nuch 1aut
with the expcdents by which they are introduced
There is a sub-favor of humor i'll the preliminary
adventures of the Polish scholar Tyscovus, VINO,
having acquired a remote and ruInous ranch on the
road from Bill DOdds Canon to llellbender III oruer
TO write his great work secure from interruption Is
oeorlv hanged by a vigilance committee the hrst
night; is iutruded upon with hardly respite; Is
robbed and assaulted; has fight with scamp
whom he leaves for dead; is nveigcd into polite
society; and in a brief time becomes candidate LOT
the Territorial Legislature and the lover OF two
handsome women Tyscovus, besides playing an I'M
portant part IN the development of the story serves
ms an excellent foil to set of the other characters
and is an appropriate interocutor in the discussion
of certain aspects of frontier civilization, wherein
Dr. Hammond presents the argument for lynch-law
with as much plausibllity the case admits One
of the most striking scenes IN the book is the de-
scrpton of the nIght-capture, trial and hanging OF
Jim Boscr and Luke Kittle, by a self-constltutcd
committee" One of the desperadOes is taken to
Tyscovus. ranch and the Pole makes strenuous
efforts to save HIM:
With another look at Lal, to see that all was
going well with her, he went out OF the house Ana
here a strange sight met his eyes for NIFTY or more
men all armed with rifles, or TevolNels or DOth ana
with their faces concealed by black crane stood IN
q circle around two men bound and seated on the
ground. One of them was jim Boslerj the other
IyscOvus had never seen before. lie was not
however, suffered TO remain long IN doubt relative
10 his identity for large, powerfully punt man
made his way into the nclosed space, aud sad III
clear, full voice, amid the most profound silence:
Z" Let the prisoners stand up -Four men stepped
into the inClosurc and two, taking hold of each OF
the captivcs. raised them to their feet.
James Boslcr and Luke Kittle." said the man, In
q voice full of solemnity You are accused before
this court of sundTy high crimes against the people
OF this Territory Into all of these outrages Is not
the purpose of the court TO inquire lou VIII he re
CURED to plead to only one each; You, James
Boslcr, to the ALLEGATION that on the 9th day OF
August last at Blll Dodds Canon, IN CQstllla
Comfy, YOU murdered man named Thomas
IIallam; aud you, Luke kttle, that on the l0th OF
the present month, at the town OF llellbender, III
SAID county you murdered one Manuel Naca.-
ioSl 10 continued.
heard save the swift. Kissing noise occasionally
caused by the faring of the torches which several
of the men carried. - what have you to say to the
charge against your .,
Boser looked around the group like a cagcu vol
in search for an opening through which lac might
escape. His face, which was lat up by the hight OF
several pne-knOt torches hold near hun, was as pale
~ sheet, and ho looked hagsaId and worn. Ap-
parently, he had made up ms mind that there was
no hope, for he cast his one eye upon the ground
and muttercd:
"You can say what you please" said the leader Of
the vigilance COMMITTEES. d" If you deny the crime
of which YOU arc accused, witnesses Will be sworn
Tor the prosecution, and for You also II you nave
any; and they shall be allowed TO come AND 60
"Ikin say this that. I'd drunk more .whi,key than
was good Tor me. and IL made Inc RECKLESS. II 1t
hadn't "a bin for that wouldn I u dTaWed on INC
is that all you've got to say ~
Yes icdge, guess that's about all, ana thar am
"Gen;lemen OF the court of the vigilance COM
mittce YOU have heard what the prisoner James
Bo>ler has said IN his defence. How say you, IS he
Stopw cried Tyscovus, before an answer could
be given " clam The right TO be heard and III
ma. ter involving the life of fellow being, wicked,
criminal and degraded as that being may be- you
VIII not refuse me-
The utmost that Tyscovus can obtain is few
minutes of delay, at the expiration OF which the
Judge again puts the question;
"Gentlemen,' he said, entering the circle and
taking the position he had previously occupied
though his voice trcmbed 4 little now, have you
deliDerttcG on your sentence
&" We haYc!' from every man.
what punishment Shall be inflicted on James
Death by hanging" uttered as by voice.
II there is any one of you VINO dSsents IRON TINS
sentence, let him raise his hand and We Will hear
what lac has to say"
Not hama was raised.
"IouT sentence then, is unanimOusW
Then James Boslcr," turning to the man rs he
spoke. "yOu will be Immediately hanged by the
neck till YOU are dead and may God have mercy ON
your soul! If you have anything to say before your
execution, say II now, for this is the only oppor
tuuity you will have, and it may be that shall ie
compelled to ask you few questions
1bar's only one thing as | keer to talk about"
said jim, " aud then guess I'm ready TO 60. Id
like 90 ask about gal as | seen comm up the butte
ahead o me"
You mean your daughter17 asked the unkn own
She is here. i'll safety
ayes. she's the one as ! means I'd like, jist for
curosltys sake. 70 know how she got here, f9r YOU
See when left Bighorn, to 90 for Luke kittle, ,he
war tied 50 tight that 1 couldn't IA loosed her my
self, without knife"
TVsc0yus at these words came closer that
nothing should escape hun. What did it meant
What new mystery was tins.
"You had her tied, then ?"
I" Yes in course tied her, as she couldn't cit
away, for YOU see Luke here give me five thousand
dollars, and / was to GIT five thousand more for
maxim her marry linn, and the wcddin was to "a
of tomorrow at o'clOck-want it. Luke -
Mind your own business, damn You p SAID that
individual, angiily. " aud don't he bringing me into
your affairs. What's the girl TO do with the matter
anyhow T.
Jim. ON the principle that drowning rat eatches