The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-10-01

One of the evils of the day, de-
nounced alike by pulpit and press;
by Christian professors and lnfidels,
is flash literature.
Much that is undesii able in the
morals of our youth is due to the
reading which undermines the bet
ter influences of home and school.
Sometimes it is due to the careless
ness of parents. but, too often, it is in
spite of all caution that the mischief
is done. How shall We remedy this
evil? Not by taking away the yellow
and red covered literature, and burn
ing it up. Oh, no! There is
plenty more ana it is cheap.
Even if you succeed in keeping
the pernicious stuff from the young
folks, the longing for it remains, Gre
ating unpleasant feelings.
If the bany is playing with pap's
razor, no loving mother, or consider
ate nurse will snatch it away, and
leave the little cne crying. It is
baby's instinct to play, and play with
whatever it can reach, so. you will
subst tute for the razor something as
pretty and pleasing, though perfectly
harmless.
It is an instinct in youth which
requires the mind to be amused and
entertained, as well as interested, so.
the considerate parent IN snatching
away the poison of flash literature,
will substitute something as pleasing
which will do good instead of harm.
A few years ago this was well nigh
impossible, for while Beade'ls novels
printed on thin, coarse paper, in fine
type. sold for ten cents apiece, all the
best literature was put up in good
stvle and sold for 81 so a volume.
Now, however, the best of BOOKS,
both modern, and reprints Of stand
ard works, are published and sold so
low, there is no longer any excuse for
atronizing the old-fashiOned dime
novel .'style of literature.
Tn common with other first-class
publishing houses, D. Lothrop d Co.
OF Boston, are doing a great work for
the young. Perhaps they are step
or two in advance Of the majority.
they are now publishing what is
called the Young Folks Library, one
volume each month. These books OF
three or four hundred pages each, are
clearly printed, finely illustrated,
and bound in prettily illuminated
covers of strong MANILA paper, and
are sold at 25 cents a volume, or, II
one prefers, he can subscribe for
wear and send $500 at once.
No. Of the series lies before me,
entitled "Mrs. Hurd's Niece" 1t is
written by Ella Farman, the editor
of the charming Wide AWake. She
is a. writer of known ability and
never fails to please and instruct as
we'll.
The reader, young or old, is fas-
cinated, and held from first to last of
the book, and feels an indescribable
longing to do and be better.
"Mrs. Hurd's Neice," is Lois,
girl of sixteen, who, after q struggle
with pride, decides to do each duty
in the place she is put, instead OF try
ing to run away. The interesting
story tells Of her success, and the in
fiuence she gained over large circle,
and of the great happiness that came
to her unsought.
Get YOUR book merchants to order
several of these volumes as they ap-
pear each month, and see if they do
not offset some other styles of read
ing.
Lcok out for the next number of
the Century. There will be begun
series of articles, descriptive of battles
of the civil war, written by the gen
erals in command. r. A. H.