New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-05
LIFE IN A MINING CAMP.
THE STORY OF A WILD COMMUNITY.

A PLUCKY ONE By Mrs. GEORGE K. SPENCER
l2mo. PIP. 353. casseil g. Co.
In this novel tho author of the touching and
beautiful Story of Mary" has sought her inspir
alton among the bleak but rich mountains OF
Nevada. The life of mining camp IN the wilder
ness is usually mCnotony sternated with high
Excitement he virtual absence of the restraints
winch operate upon settled communities neces-
sarily embodens the turbulent and lawless in such
circumstances and when opportunity serves such
CAMPS are apt to b. the Of dee ds exceeding
the morn al action of cIvilize societies IN the
frank in Indulgence of the hercer passions. The
novelist who takes q subject like this must expect
To be accused OF seusatonalism aud tendency to
melodrama; but the fact is that what is called tho
sensational is perfectly normal in these frontier
posts Mrs. Speucers story is of tue fortunes Of a
Viryinia family the head Of WHICH Owen Merilton.
is in veigled BY false friend. Captain Alcorn Into
buying a worthless mine in Nevada He discovers
the fraud in time to escape ruin. and acquires
interest in an unleveIoped ledge whict ultimately
proves very rich and makes all the owners
wealthy Nerilton wing been obi ged TO go East
and to Europe to obtain capital for the working OF
his mining property. his wife is exposed to the
Vaccinations Of Alcorn. who hopes to get posses
sion of the mines himself IN the absence of the
owner The heroine Of the story is Katbr,ne Cor
hanger-on of the camp, who has seen better
days" and on the strength IF ais respectable past
owes himself up to gambling and drinking
becomes the abject tool of Acorn and tries TO ssl
first a mine owne by KatSrne. and then the girl
herself to his rascay patron. There two
well.drawn figures OF miuers. whose loyalty and
vigilance avert several dangers gallant young
Virginia doctor come, to the rescue when the pros
pect locks darkest. and naturally and properly falls
in love with Kathrine.
There is a goo deal Of violence in the story. and
rou oh speech as we'll as action. No Nevada or Calf
fornia miuino camp could. however. he described
without giving considerable prominence to these
features for they OF tho of that kind of
existence No doabt 1t is sadly inart;stc aud I'M
refined. but miners and the people whom he neeis
and pleasu -es Of minsrs bring together in remote
camps beyond the reach Of tue law have always
done and sad shocking things Homicide in such
camps has been uncommon. Travssties of
jnstice have cen frequent. Saloon keepers and
gamblers have often mad things their own ay.
There has been Idflianism and outrage and unpan-
isbed crime. Yet since miui1g camp life deserves
study aud ret. presentation as well as the life Of
cities tue seany side llust be put in evidence and
tho opl consideration OF importance is whether
tbs study 10 faithful or otherwise. Mrs Sponcers
story bears abundant traces o! careful personal! in
vestig ation. Her knowledge of the phases OF life
she treats Of Is evidently not secondhand. Her
incients are none Of them too extravagant to be
paralleed from the early iles Of the Pacific Coast
newspapers; on tire contrary. a dozen real mining
camps could be- named in which the disreg Ard for
law and human lie was tor tlmo much mere
marked than in tho Cetcwsyo OF the story. 10
yond this il must be ssd that the interest OF the
narrative is we'll sustained, aud II at the close.
when bonanza" has been struck, tue authoress
distributes the millions somewhat freely. the veal
ness is natural under the circumstances for We all
have Mouto Cris.o vein IN us v aiob when touched
responds ia tho same WAY.
Whoever wants - vivid picture OF miuing camps,
Of Wild life on tho frontier, aud OF the best and
worst Of hanan passions whsn the ordinary ro-
straints Of cittiizei lilo are largely withdrA w.
will hnd Mira 5penosr's sPtuoky Que" = book
after lis own heart 1t was f,llowcd with eager
and IL sure to command another great audisRcs
now.