Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-25

man interest. They are sympathetic
and helpful. They touch the chords of
everyday life; of living experience, with
skillful and tender touch.
In the present volume she pleads the
cause of that much wronged class, that in
cludes so many strong, earnest, Christian
women,-the stepmother. There is no person
(unless we except the equally maligned
mother-in-law,) so persistently and perpetu-
ally misunderstood as the woman who takes
up, in marrying the man she loves, the burden
of the children born to him in former mar
riage. Heroic life histories often result,
that if written out for all to read would por-
tray saints and martyrs for canonization.
But because they are lived, not written, the
world has fallen into the cheap and careless
habit of making the stepmolher the target
for all sorts of random shots of ridicule and
abuse.
We are glad that Pansy has lent her
strong and facile pen to this theme. 1t is
an honor to be among the first to turn the
tide of public opinion when the current sets
the wrong way and to swell the force of
Just approval, where before there was only
cheap wit or cruel criticism. Her story is
a graphic one, in Pansy's iuimitable style.
1t will be at once the most important aud
popular book of the season in household
literature, which Pansy easily leads.
Striking for Life, or Labor's Side of the
Labor Question, by John Swinton, illus
trated, PIP. 491, A. r. Keller Company,
Philadelphia, Publishers.
In connection with the recent great rail-
road strike, of which it gives detailed ac-
count from the labor point of view, this
work will possess a special interest. 1t
opens with several chapters devoted to a
general discussion of the relations between
Labor and Capital. Then follows chap
ter devoted to "Unions and Their Aims
Strikes aud Their Uses" After this fol-
lows number of chapters devoted to the
great railroad strike of last June and July.
Following this comes general discussion
of strikes and various other features bear
ing upon the labor question that occupy a
number of chapters. This is followed by
articles by Samuel Gompers, president of
the American Federation of Labor, and
Eugene V. Debs, president of the Ameri-
can Railway Union. A number of chapters
are devoted to speeches by the author, de-
Iivered at various times and places, and
discussing different phases of the labor
question. Two speeches, in behalf of
labor, by the late Wendell Phillips are also
reproduced. There are also a number of
miscellaneous extracts, articles specially
contributed, and newspaper editorials which
add to the interest of the work. The book is
rich in illustrations. 1t includes excellent
portraits of nearly all the best known labor
leaders. A number of scenes in connection
with the great railway strike are, also,
graphically depicted. There are always
two sides to every great question, and Mr..
Swinton has certainly ucceeded in max
ing in this volume very strong presenta-
ton Of the cause of organized labor.
Thoughts, by Helen Merrill Wing.
This is one of the daintisst little book
lets that has ever come to our desk. Both
in it's matter and in the artistic little water
colors that form its ornamentation-all
hand work-it is perfect little gem. Its
merits is such that several of the Deco
rative Aid Associations in the states have
placed it on sale. The author is
a Maine woman educated in Gardiner
and Augusta, and has been, for some years
past, connected with one of the Exchanges
for Women's work in New York city. The
exquisitely beautiful little book which she
has given the public in Thoughts" de-
serves. and we trust may receive liberal
patronage. Persons desiring copies of the
work may address the author at North
Monmouth, Maine.
The Abraham Lincoln Myth, by Bocardo
Bromantip; price, paper covers, % cents;
the Mascot Publishing Company, 100 Sixth
Avenue, New York.
This is an essay in "Higher Criticism"
supposed to have been written in the year
1868, and in which the author in a very
learned and logical manner proves that
Abraham Lincoln never really issued the
Proclamation of Independence. tits a rich
take of upon such men as Ignatius Don
nelly and others of his class who are la
boring to show that Lord Bacon wrote
the plays of Shakespeare. n is in
deed, more than this. 1t is "a scathing
satire upon those who under cover of an
tiquity seek to tear down the fabric of the
past. The novelty of the work has already
secured wide sale for it.
The Rand McNally Official Railway
Guide and Hand Book; PIP. 6l0; price 40
cents; published by The American Railway
Guide Company. 162-174 Adam, Street,
Chicago.
This book is q complete compendium of
all the information that can possibly be de-
sired by travellers in the United States or
in the Dominion of Canada. Not only does
it give accurate time tables of all the rail-
road and steamboat lines, but it affords,
also, a large amount of additional informa-
ton, and q number Of excellent maps, which
render it the most complete and valuable
work of its kind that has ever been pub
lished in this country. No traveller should
he