New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-21
TWO NOTELS.
STORIES OF THE WEST AND THE EAST.

THE GRAYsOES: STORY or ILLINOIS. DT
EDWARD EcGLESTON. With illusira ons ~
ALLEGPA FGGLE>rON. 12mo. PIP. 3C2
The Century Co.
THE GUARDIANS. By the Author of q YEAR ~
EDEN &c. l2mo. PIP. az. Housh'on'
Elfn & Co.
TIE central incident in "The Graysons7 was
taken as Mr. Eggl, ston states in a pr'fatory note
from legendary stury OF Abraham Lincon'S carly
life Whether the story BIZ true or not, it is
certainly dramatic and interesting. ana it aI-
ncars rather singular that there should remain any
doubt rs to the reality of the alleged facts. since
Il can hardly be imuo sible 10 trace back what
mist If it ever happened. lave been ii most oN-
citing event to hundreds Of the simple agrcultur-
ISIS among whom the scene is laid The story
familiar enough by this time-is Of a case OF
circumstantial evidence, in which Lincoln. then
little-lnown ald struggling lawyer, undertook
the defence OF a man accused Of murder, and So
cured his acquittal by proving from the almanac
that there no moon on the night oil the
murder. whereas the principal witness for the
prosecution had sworn 20 having seen the prisoner
commit the crime by the light of the moon. In
Mr. Eyeeston's version Of this tradition the
pcrinrrr is himself the murderer and the dramatic
effect OF the trial scene is heightened by making
Lincoln accuse him of the deed and surprise him
into n partial confession. while he is confused
md domoralizrd by the crushing demonstration
of his mcndacty.
M EGcleston has made this striking case the
climax OF n careful md lifcike study Of Central
Illinois lie chooses a spot where the forest and
prairie ioin This affords more room Tor variety
IN character gives o raisOn d'ctre for Bob McCord
/. sturdy good-tcmpercd giant, with so much
hunters blood in his veins that he never can settle
down TO steady farming; and also makes room
for the sketch Of the :" poor white colony of
Broad Run which is "A remarkably faithful picture
of conditions that have nearly passod away. The
action Is distributed among a number OF old
fashioned farming folk, of the sterling. practical,
Selfcentred and rather rough kind that filled the
Western borders before the railroad era. These
people shown under various aspects, and the
types are true 10 nature. The pretty farmers
daughter who was "sparlkcd7 by half the likely
lads Of the county: the schoolmastor who boarded
around the curious semi-barbarism Of the poor
whites: The picturesque camp-mcctins, which 10
the less serious stood the stead Of recognized
form of amusement: the coarse and crude recrea-
tons and small vices Of the young men of the
village: and. in brief, the general atmosphere of
the story, will be recognized by all who knew the
West generation ago as very close and vivid
representations.
ton Of character Barbara is more elaborate
study than Rachel. but both are real women,
Tom Grayson is rather hopeless young fellow,
being inirm Of purpose, and one of those we'll
meaning people who often make more mis-
chief for themselves and others even than the
evilIy disposed. But everybody knows or has
known such men, and he is consistent IN his
Inconsistency. Big Bob McCOrd was evidently
a prime favoritc with the author end so he Will
be with NEST readers, who cannot but sympathize
with his ponderous craft, and the tricks he plays
upon the Broad Run rouehs, VINO are bent upon
lynchng Tom Grayson. Big Bobs famous capture
of the sheriff too, is greatly 10 his credit, end
he stands out as, perhaps the NEST genial. hearty
and capable man il the story. Lincoln is intro
duccd with skill and adroitncss and his course
throughout the trial is made TO harmonic with
his rel character. Perhaps the actual Abe
Lincoln would not have planned quite so melo-
dramatic climax, but there must, of course, he
a certain license in case OF the kind, and the
shndowy nature Of the tradition is warrant for
more freedom than Mr. Eggeston has seen ft 10
exercise. II is a compact and wcIl-told story and
Miss Allegro Eggleston has illustrated her fathers
text gracefully, sympathetically. and with decided
ability.
The Guardians is q novel marked by some
quhl!tlcS humccnty uncommon 10 deserve Io
mark when they are found in contemporary f.
ton. The authors, or author, exhibit keen
ness OF observation and felicity as regards r.
production, in character study, which are seldom
encountered, gave in the wort, Of masters ia tic
ton The effect of these gifts however is largely
disspated by on unfortunate crudcncss OF lud4-
mem in connection with the plot. There is much
excellent work ia the book Esicilr and Mrs
Rothcrv. for instance, are finely conira.ied. and
y ...li - utH I'm
ant humor The development OF ConnieT and
Der scenes with young Stanton ST. John are de-
cidedly anusing hutn ana Amory, on on the other