The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-26
LITERATURE.

nsIzco-By Lucien Bart. paris: G.
EExAx, Charpentier & Gle. 298 pp.) This is
R4g novel in the French language, and
is one of series issued by these
publishers which. while sensational, is pare
in Tone and may be read by any one with
out lear of offending in the slightest degree.
lhoSe who are conyersant with the French
language will find III this work of fiction
something that will entertain them in a
most admirable manner, while those who
are studying the language will find in the
pages good deal that will instruct them in
the art OF using the right word in the right
place; for the style in which the author pre-
sentS his story is charming one. The
scene OF the story is laid in Orizaba, Mexico.
and the story itself is combination of
superstition, love, jealousy and tragedy. A
rich planter arrives at place just in time
TO put stop to what threatened to be q
fatal quarrel between an Indian and
Mexican who had dispute about money.
The Indian was in the employ of the planter,
and several days after the quarrel he
was found murdered. A brother of the de-
ceased. hearing of the death, visited the
plantation for the purpose of avengiug the
death of his brother. but for time Is unable
to locate his suspscions on any one. In the
meantime the place is visited by an indi-
vidual who is deeply in love with daughter
OF the planter but she does not reciprocate
his affection because he is repulsive in ap-
pearance. He, Learning of the mysterious
murder, and of the Indians thirst for re-
venge, takes advantage of this with view
to accomplish an end, namely, that of win
ming the love of the girl. He seeks out the
indian, gives him to understand that the
Mexican who had the quarrel with his
brother was one OF a number who were re-
sponsible for his death. Soon after that the
Mexican is found dead. The planters
daughter is paid court to by several young
men, and one after another is found dead,
and the general belief is that the family is
under tile - Evil Eye" In the course of
time the girl surreptitiously meets young
man in forest. He proves to be a son
OF great enemy of her family. On
one occasion he takes part in a
bull-fght as one of the matadOrs, and another
who took part ana was candidate for
the hon0rs that were to be bestowed by the
planters daughter who had been selected
to crown the victor, was another lover Of
the young lady. The strange young man of
the forest, who to all intents and purposes
was total stranger to the young lady, came
III with first honOrs and received his re-
ward at the hands of the one who secretly
loved him. A few days after that the de-
feated matador was found murdered. and in
one OF the wounds in his body there was a
poniard on the handle of which were the
initials of the victorious bull-6ghter. This
one was arrested, and not being able to ex-
plain the presence of the poniard (Which
lie admitted was his in the wound, he was
convicted and condemned to death. Before
the day set for the execution, the Indian
who was thirsting for blood was seriously
wounded, and as he believed he was about
to die expressed desire to make a coufes-
sion. He then declared that the lover of
the planters daughter who had
been murdered a few days before,
and for whose death the young
man who had won the favor Of
the young lady at the bull-fight had been
sentenced to be executed, was killed by him
and not by the one under condemnation of
death. He alsO admitted that ha tha
one who had killed all the Others because
they had all been concerned in the murder
Of his brother. He was then told that he
had killed number of innocent men.
With one mighty effort he advanced on the
individual VINO had resolved to win the
planters daughter. stabbed him fatally, and
then asserted that that was the one who
had melted him to all the murders, telling
him that they all had had a hand in the
killing of his brother. Steps were immedi-
prleved, and the parties most interested
reached the place of execution Just in time
to avert Judicial killing. The timely
rescue, as might De expected, was followed
by marriage. The story is full of the
deepest interest from first TO last Offered
by Tauzy, Levy & Co.. Post street
For SUMNER READING-By number of
authors. New York: The John W. Lowell
Company These publishers ever alive to
the wants OF the readers of fiction, have just
issued for the benefit of those who want lit
erature for the summer number Of books
specially adapted 10 the season, and for that
matter for any season, for good books are
always seasouable, but the series recently
issued is published with a view of making it
an interesting one for those who spend their
time in summer resorts or by the seashore.
Among these are The World, the Flesh
and the Devil" a very interesting work by
Miss NJ. E. Braddon; 1.-The Heir Presump-
tive and the Heir Apparent" by that we'll
known and much admired author Mrs. Oil
plant These are offered by Payot, Upham
& Co. Others soon to be issued are: Miss
Wentworth's Idea" by w. E Norris, the
later Thackeray las he has been called;
"Maisic Derrick" by Katherine S. Mac
quOid. the author of the elishtful story,
Patty; The White Feather" by Tasma,
whose " Uncle Piper of Piper's Hill" won
gland, and "Grayspoint." the latest novel
by Mrs. j. H. Riddel, the talented author
of George Geith." The mora sensational
side Of fiction will be presented by }. Mac
laren Cobban. whose " Horned Cat is now
attracting notice in its serial course; and
Frank Barrett viii contribute "Olga's
Crime the newest of his stirring romances.
Later in the season new novels will be pub
lished by l.. b. Walford and Hall Caine, j.
NJ. Barrie and Helen Mathers. and the au-
thors OF The Sin of Joost Avelingh" and
"a Village Tragedy"
CHATTANooGA-By F. A. Mitchell. late
q. S. A. New York; The American News
Company. 229 pp) war novels are always
interesting, Tor there Is fascination about
them, when they are well written, that al
ways rivets the attention Of the reader. The
author of Chattanooga" has succeeded in
presenting work that is very acceptable.
1t is the story Of a private of the Union
army VINO volunteered to go into the enc
my's lines for the purpose of ascertaining
what the Cenfederates were doing in and
around Chattanooga 1t describes in ro-
mantle way his trials in order to accomplish
the ends sought. his meeting with a hand
some young lady whose feelings were for the
Confederacy. but whose heart went out to
The Union spy; of her efforts to save him
from the enemy; of the spy'S success in Sc
curing the Information he was after, and of
his arrest and condemnation to death by
Confederate court-martial for having bsen
found within the lines; of his escape
through the cOnnivance of 4 simple country
girl; OF the pursuit by the enemy, and his
return to the Union lines in company with
the Confederate young lady, who had be-
come attached to him aud who became his
wife after he had made her the promise
that he would never again risk his life as
spy. Of course there Is the usual reward
and promotion for the service he rendered
the Union side. There are a number of
very interesting Incidents aud situations in
the story and these are pleasantly told.
JENNY's ORDEAL-By Leon de Tisseau.
New York: Worthington Company. 13mo
Cloth 81, paper 80 cents) This is a clever
story, translated from tho French by Cam
den Cnrwen. 1t is written by one of the fore
most French novelists, and displays to good
advantage the good and brilliant qualities
and the felicities of the author. Written
with fine descriptive powers, the novel plot
is sufficiently complicated and skillfully de-
veloped to make il most entertaining read
ing. The characters are well drawn and
sharply defined, the different situations
gracefully worked out, showing a vivid and
original Imagination. In the idiomatic trans
lation the French atmosphere is strikingly
well preserved, and the reader will be
greatly interested in following the enchant-
ing and puzzing windings of this beautiful
and withal wonderfully moral love story.
The novel is illustrated with photographers.
How SALVADOR Won AND OTHER RECT
TATIoNs-By Ella Wheeler Wilcox. New