The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-29

when the Young lady fonnd in DR.: Oliver
Wendell Holmes an advisor and friend.
But not until her widOwhoOd did Mrs.
Uoodey ADOPT literature as a profession. In
books: ''The Tragedy of Brinkwater."
ALAN Thorn" and "A Little Millionaire"
Mrs. Moodey possessed. in common with all
who have the creative faculty, the &C
complishment of Verse;" These ventures
were fugitive, however. and found their
way to the public through the columns of
the Cincinnati Commercial. The Old
Mothers Dream" perhaps, being the moet
widely copied. She considers her best
book ALAN Thorne." which made it's ap-
pearance about the time that John Ward.
Preacher" and Robert Elsemere" were is
sued, and, like those books. has for its
motive q religious idea. but her most pop
ular work is the juvenile story of "A Little
Millionaire." ALAN Thorne" 10 the story
of a boy whose father. though surround
ing him with every luxury that wealth
could bestOw, cramped his mind by
forbiddIng his governess and tutors
to give n instruction on religious
subjects. The parent was a scientist of
atheistic tendencies. A number of other
characters, mostly labOring men and their
families. are brought into the story. and it
Is in philanthropic work among them, as
he grows older. that Alan Thorne. who Is
spite of his fathers efforts. n knowledge OF
the deep things of the world, and finally q
religious faith. which. In time and by
stress of circumstances, he Is able to i'm
part to his father. Some OF the scenes In
this story are very strongly drawn. nota-
bly, the description of q burning tenement
and the rescue of the inmates. A CONVEX
sation between the elder Thorne and his
gardener. a man of rugged piety. is a good
illustration of the prejudice cherished
by the ignorant against the results OF
scientific research. Thorne had proposed
to lecture to his factory hands upon the
mysteries of q piece of coal. and Benson.
the gardener. opposed the plan on the
ground that some atheistic doctrine might
creep into the talk.
Il don't think science Is gOln' to hurt me,
Benson said Thorne.
Its hurt many a wiser and stronger man
than We air. Bob"
"How's that, BensonY"
well, these scientific men. when they
come upon q fact In the bowels of the
airth. that amt any more wonderful than
the things all around 'em on top of the
airth, because they've become so common
from daily use, set up a wonderful cacklin'
over what they call a discovery whenever
they come upon one of Gods secrets; and
they say. see here. this fern-leaf must
hev got here In such q fashion,: now, let's
jest begin at this a. b. C of creation and
spelrout the whole universe"
We'll. amt that falr?" asked Bob.
mo, 1t amt" said Benson; ut can't be
done. They string their bits of What they
call truth together like bcads. but there's
no connection and no adhesion among 'em'
they kin slip 'em along. and shift EN-
about. and it AXE no difference. tel
you, lads. the plan Of creations like tn,
plan OF salvation; it has no bitches and nc
breaks IN it," e.
w will not dispute that. Benson said
Robert Thorne. joining him as the meT
moved away; but truth, however frag.
mentary. Is precious. isn't III"
"fes. if 1t is truth" grumbled Benson.
And ii. 10y taking the "a, h. cs of science
we can spell out a little bit of Gods crear
tive wisdom. is there any harm or unwis
dom Ia thatf"
''But We know very we'll. Robert Thorne
scientific men are not content with that
they've jumped from the primer to the
dictionary. and they've got God set down
there. If he's there at all. IA q sort of self
actin, perpetual motion machine thai
grlnds things ont and grinds them MP and
the grist don't amount to much. after all.
II know what Won mean. Benson. Yoy
think the terminating soul Is lett out o.
the gristf"
on Jest :ss sS; there's no seed nor soul in it; it'll
Let me convince you. Benson. tina
science SEES"
Il tell you. Robert Thorne. that sciepc,
is a blind Jade. with nary an eye in hel
head. that goes ploddIn' along like a hors,
In a tread-mill. steDpin' up and down al
the time. and goIn' through the motion
without making any progress"
-
The Tragedy of Brinkwater" is n story
with a clearly defined plot well worked
out. AS the title indicates. it Is tragic il
character. but ending. in accordance witt
popular taste among novel-readers, with
the triumph of virtue and the happiness o
the chief personages. The Little Million
ARE" is n story for children. In which tn,
mural-the mutual benefit 10 be gained b,
the association or rich and poor-is not 81
obtrnsive as 10 lesssn the interest of youn,
readers III the narrative.
Mrs. Moottey tails a story well. She ha
@ definite plan In each case and adheres &
10, avoiding the RESPONSIVENESS Of phIlO
sophie aDd analy teal moralizlng that 81
often mars the work of more pretentiou
writer's. Her style is clear and flowing