The herald., 1894-07-29
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given us in the story, just Plain folGs.
O. wonderfully faithful presentation OF
tho life OF typical New Englaad farm
er, forced to abandon hie farm
for the struggle for bread and
shelter in the city. The story, the
reader can essily tell, has been written
for the wage earners by ono who loves
then, who is acquainted with their
struggles and trials, and who knows the
bitterness OF their lot under present con-
ditions. 1t lie a plain, simple story,
written for the industrial millions OF
today in the plainest possible language;
much ss one of their own number might
tell it to group of fellow-workmen.
1t lie story told from the heart and 10
replete with interest from first to last.
While hundreds of writers are chasing
the butterfly of literary form and losing
sight OF the flower of human sympathy
with ito fragrance Of redemptive thought,
the author of just Plain Folks has con-
cerned himself with the latter; to him
the breathing body possesses moie In
terest than its drapery. We do not wish
to disparage literary form--it 10, OF
couree, important, and must be present
in order to obtain the best effsct; but
the long prevalence of the vicious creed,
''Art for arts sake" hss produced
horde of soulless. superficial and arti-
fetal writer's who are frightened at q
human emotion. who seem strangers to
vital truths, and who run from any
statement OF life or condition 90 true
and real in character 40 to force men
and women to think; hence 4 work OF
the character OF Just Plain Folks is
most refreshing. If it 10 seme that
rough and primitive in its clothing, 1t 10
also the personi6cation of truth and
osndor. Its author is great enough to
stand for justice where the pigmies fawn
before power. No one who reads this
story will imagine it to be fiction. The
impression conveyed is that it is mar
retive OF facts, and we understand that
this is largely the case. Mr.. Doubleday
has woven facta which have come under
his observation into a story OF purpose.
| In rapid panoramic view We see life
on mortgage-cursed Connecticut
| farm. A littlo town evolves into man
featuring center. A few persons become
rich, greatly increasing their holdings
by gaining possession OF natures gilt to
man-the land. In this manner those
who acquire wealth are enabled to crush
those who possess less favorable oppor-
nunties. The scene changes. We are
hearted, honest young man in his weary
search for work; we catch glimpses of
life in its various phases; we are made
to understand how the poor feel; we
see how easy it Ia to sink into ssh, dissi-
patton and vice when everything preases
downward and the light of hope is
gradually withdrawn. We also note
the value Of sturdy moral training in
youth, which is marked characteristic
of country seared boys. The author
permits US to feel the pulse OF metropoli-
tan life, from the rich club man and co
cisty woman down through the various
strata to the denizen OF houses OF shame.
We see passion, greed and desire seeth.
| ing in heart and brain. We note
the soulslaying effect Of murder
Gus competition which dries up love
and spiritual life in the heart OF the
victor, and crushes into slavery the vic.
tim. We behold pride and note the
power of wealth. We see poverty, and
| look into the faces of the most helpless
and sinned against of Gods children.
We catch glimpses of club life, where
acquired wealth is squsndered over
champagne while manhood is enervated.
We see the savage cunning and intrigue
OF coarse natures among the employees
Of great store in an atmosphere fer.
mented by the soul-blasting creed,
leach for SELL" Many characters are
striking and some are original. This ia
specially true of "Old Bst," who lives
in the hulk of q stranded vessel which
he has pasched up for a habitation.
Here are a few descriptive lines which
illustrate the philosophizing tendency
of the old Iriahman:
"Old Bat McAulitfe, by very force Of
circumstances and by virtue of an in.
vestigsting and philosophizing tendency
of mind, became deeply interested in
abe study of the exceedingly human
birds that fel! onto his deck. Quits an
taxidermist az wsll. He had stuffed
many rare specimens and set them up in
his memory, to further study and ponder
over. while he smoked his comisally
short pipe.
There were birds Of song and birds OF
prey. human penguins--great. clown
ish birds that tum bled and waddled,
and tried only to save themselves
Eagles. so very digniisd, that few and
alighted high, commanded respect. had
ugly looking bsaks and tslons, with
which they tore the flesh OF other crea-
tures--other creatures which were in
tended for eagles food. 1t was 40 un-
accountable to the mind of old Bar
tholomew, why all the other creatures
treated this beaked, taloned highway
man OF the air as il he were 'the king
of BIRDS" and seemed to think
reverence and obedience and fear OF him
4 duty. He was really afooieh bird; a
club would end his career, or, as kindlier
cure, little cord OF Justice wonld make
of him q staring. wondering prisoner;
and yet all akulked or bowed down or
shrieked surrender when he alightsd in
the rigging, folded his wings, balanced
himself clumsily. turned his head lit.
tie to one side, and looked down on the
other birds. The old philosopher asw
harmless, frightened littls birds run and
hide for fear of this "kng OF birds" and
his miserable ecreech; and he heard
parrets in mindless mimicry repeating
this soreach over and over again, until
the whole bird family were frightened
into helplessness, ana ready, as means
Of escape, to give up in surrender the
flesh Of some, IL only others might be
permitted to live.
Mr.. McAuliffe was amused by the
great wiae'looking eyes OF the owl, who
gets credit for wisdom by simply look
ing wise, and does nothing but, with
much fuss and feathers, catch mouse