The Washington times., 1894-06-24
Condensed Novels
For FiYe-Minute PeruSal

PA'suiV iiuot bC tHt NOfh vi Out riitihrp tut
portrayal OF one idea. almost of one mo ID.
Poe illustrated his own law most adequately
in masterpieces of short fiction. There is but
one intense idea in 1.-The House of Usher, "
but one in ''The Black Cat" but one in that
marvellous tale OF THE Heart all of his
elaboration. And who shall say that 1.-THE
House OF Usher is not elaborate? is expended
in lending terrible, overwhelming force to the
one thought? The writer's who followed him
were. perhaps, slow in grasping and adopting
his plan. Not vet is it fully realized But
that his ideas and those of thinkers who be-
Heved liz the some lines are coming into favor
needs hardly demonstration.
Who now wants a three-volume novel after
the pattern OF thirty. even twenty years ago!
Who now strings unconnected incidents to-
gether without perspective, without harmony
without oneness of purpose. and secures any
lasting success! Novels and poems are some
times long, surely. but even these paint the
picture of one central idea and make the
background add to and lead up to and in
tensiiy the foreground.
These novels here chosen are in the most
advanced style of the modern school. They
have only one idea. II may be even con-
tended that they do not possess that, but GER
tainiy they have not more than one. This
thought is led up 20 subtly forcibly. You
have been prepared unconsciously for its re-
ception. When You reach it it strikes you rs
accurately and as strengthfully as an AK does
a chicken.
Each OF the four deals with phase of the
grand fashion, The first is study of char
acter and OF modern motive pure and simple
1t is accurately and skillfully drawn. The
second recounts the old. old story OF the dir
ildence OF youth and is brought to a happy
cnngluGinD Iv uttipE- witt cdr of h..
American girl. The mother OF the gill is a minor
character. vino curiously illustrates the idea
propoundei that everything subsidiary to the
main action should in some way lend force 10
it, The next OF the series is a novel with
purpose. As story it will perhaps be con-
sidered unsatisfactory in that the end is left
in doubt. The last of the series is character
study as intensely modern as YOU like with
tina, minuteness and accuracy OF penstroke
that can be made to tell so much. And vet
there is u touch of mysticism, of orientalism
in it that will be refreshing.
They were sitting on the sofa in the first
sweet rapture that follows the confession OF a
mutual and undying regard.
Her head was on his shoulder. Her right
hand lay tenderiy clasped in his His left
arm encircled her waist and their lips met at
frcGuent intervals.
The breast OF the maiden was filed with
iutterings of intense happiness; with the Joy
of an ambition gratified. OF u goal attained
For had she not brought him TO the point at
last
Nevertheless she said shyly, while intermit-
tent little bushes chased themselves swiftly
over her fair young face:
oh. Charlie. this is such surprise. When
you began TO speak hisln't the slightest idea
that you were going TO say-to say that. you
know"
No" replied Charlie with direct and un-
necessary frankness. by Joyei Neither had
Life.
The young fellow was extremely diffident
aud very much in love with the girl.
He bad made half dozen attempts to offer
her his heart and hand. but on each occasion
he had fallen short.
To add TO the seriousness of the situation.
the girl was ready TO accept him as soon as
The proposal wis in shape
Even the mother was willing. but latterly
she had grown tired of the dilatory tactics
and Fabian policy of the suitor and had
kicked on his coming so often and staying so
late.
One night. after three hours of struggle on
his part and much delicate encouragement on
The part OF the girl he had seized her hand
dropped on his knees inpetu-
Ously and was about one-ffth through an
The mothers voice sounded clear on the night
from the head OF the stairs.
The youth stopped short. but held on.
Mary" came the maternal voice quer-
llously. rs that young man there yet?''
Not vet mother" replied Mary, smiling
'weetly down on the face of her Romeo, but
le's getting there
And Two weeks later the cards were out
Detroit Free Press.
He made up his mind he ought to marry.
IND then started out on still hunt for !
good sensible girl for wife.
He saw Il Young lady on crowded street |
'ar who was not occupying two seats and he !
thought: This is promising. I'll keep my !
syc on her"
He met n young lady on the street who |
wore Il gown that did not trail in the dirt. |
,nd he thought: she's worth Watching. She /
i;- sOmr sense"
He WIS ii troduced to Il Young lady at n ball |
who was not overdresscd and yet who wore |
wa'st that was visible 10 the naked eye, and /
le thought Taste. modesty. and sense. |
That's u good combination
He sat behind young lady at theater, |
yho took Of her hat and let him get Il /
glimpse OF the stage. and he thought: Con
idle rntion for Others is a great point. l must |
ind out VINO she is.
He stood behind Young lady in dry /
,ooGs store who did not paw over everything /
Il sight aGd keep one clerk busy for an hour |
hat She might huy spool of thread. and he 1
bought: she must really be a treasure"
He was accidentally pushed against a
'oung lady III crowded corridor. who did |
lot stare at him and mutter. awkward /
'iu;e when h. apologized. and he thought: /
a gem
He noticed Young lady at a street corner |
n the business part OF the city waiting for 4 /
ar. and he could hardly believe MS ewes.
Ie boarjcd the same ear and followed her to |
Ter hoIc.
Three days later. after he had secured an |
Introduction. he said
"A lew days ago saw YOU at crowded /
Tree; corner Whiting for Il car"
Yes. she said. i'll some surprise.
''lou stood az one side of the crossing /
'hrre you would not be in the way OF people /
rho WISHED to cross Tho street,
Il always DO that she said
Queen of YOUR sexr' he exclaimed i'm
Beacon light in the darkness OF
roman 5 ways. Shining star of progress
Oward better conception OF the courtesies
+ city life viii yor b, rnine?''
The answer is OF no particular consequence
4 this tale. She could have him if she
fished. ami that is the main point i: is in
ended 10 bring ou..-Chicago Tribune.
She rechned on her old gold plush dlvan,
er head p.ilowed deeply in the2ihick cushion
: its back and looked laDGudly mt him with
er lashcs dropping. 1t was like the pictures
t Cleopatra. In this mood Jack worshiped
ne diyan she sat on. She was in the habit of
itting on him. too. quite emphatically M
ines. which perhaps accounts for his great
dmiratoE Tor himself. She was one could
oil help seeing it even in this intensely Ian
uorous mood. the embodiment OF vitality
4 fnontrIt ~ ,xh nf ba, ]
.e seemed to glitter in a red stone on her
Gge!, rs she slowly waved an old gold fan.
shot out Gican.s of fire that hurt his ewes.
Le moyrd uncnmfortan!y IN his rocker and