The San Francisco call., 1896-10-25
THE JOY o

A. c. McClurg & Co., ll7-12l abash avenue.
For sale at all bookstores; price 81.
The novel-reading public, and particularly
that portion of it resident in San Francisco,
will welcome this the latest story by Emma
Wolf
Miss Wolf is a local authoress whose work
has already been referred to in commendatory
terms in these columns. Her first effort was
entitled "Other Things Being Equal" and
gave promise of better writiEg in the future.
She then produced IA House of Cards" which
was distinct step in advance OF her hrst
book The last novel by this young authoress,
who has named it 1.-THE Joy OF Lie" can be
classed, not only as the best OF Miss VOLTS
productions, but as entitled to take rank
among the best novels written this year.
After the vast number of what have been
aptly termed erotic, neurotic and tommyrotic
stories, ''The Joy of Life" comes as refresh
ing relief. American readers are simply tired
of novels with purpose, and the sun OF
these salacious specimens OF literature mas
already set What is demanded to-day is
return to that class OF novels placed before the
public q generation ago-novels OF human ln-
terest, novels that tell a story. Miss WoH mas
recognized this tendency. Percefvlng the JUS
tice of the readers demands she has acceded
to them, aud as result the work under review
is not only her BEST but is one upon which we
prophesy her reputation will stand.
ssThe Joy ofLife" is remarkable primarily for
the really fine pen portraits OF 1ts prlnclpal
characters that are presented to the reader.
Take that of Antony Trent, for example.
Here we have unique strong, masteriul per-
sonality indeed. Antony is the son OF poor
proprietor of country newspaper. AT an
early age he is turned loose upon the world to
make his own way. His character can be
gauged from G short dialogue which takes
place between his younger brother and him
self while he is yet mere stripping:
.'Tony, of what are you thinkingp'
stOf the future
'what are you going to be when you are a
man. TonyT'
erich"
"But I mean what are you going to DOR
"Make money"
"But what are you going to do to make
money!"
Work"
"But lots of fellows work and don't get rich."
81 will"
sWhy?"
because will"
'And will you be happy when you are rich,
Tony?'
eyes"
"Father says money is curse"
"Poohm
sIsn't it? Isn't money curse, Tony"
ayes; to those who have none"
Here we see the man in the embryo. Sordid
as his character may appear, one cannot but
watch with interest the growth OF youth VINO
puts forward these ideas.
But Antony possesses, in addition to his
money-getting ideas, something of soul. His
younger brother, Cyril, must be assisted
through the world, and here is the difficulty
In sharp contrast to his alert brother, Cyril Is
philosopher, thinker, dreamer of
th cio for xUnr
is only aroused when there is an essay to be
written, poem declaimed, or a hero eulo-
gized The time arrives when he must choose
a profession. That is well-written chapter IN
"The Joy of Life" where the younger brother,
who has always leaned for support upon the
elder, is questioned by him regarding this
matter. Cyril confesses that che could not
breathe in a store" which elicits the trite OBJ
seryation from his brother that "beggars can
not be choosers.' Through the night the
younger brother ponders upon Antony's
! words Toward morning the latter awakes
| and finds Cyril sitting up. trembling and un-
decided Here is part of their conversation.
! Antony is speaking:
| .4Perhaps your instincts are right; we are
not all turned out after the same mold; you
can't make draught horse out of racehorse,
and vice versa. MY decision Is taken
upon that point. believe you might make
thing professional. There would be whole
years in which you would not make a cent.
Well, successful professional man reaps the
interest of his non-productiye years after
ward, and -
"Meanwhile?" interoosed Cyril hoarsely
MEANWHILE" proceeded Antony calmly, ST
will help you. If you have any thing sterling
worth cultivating IL will show itself If you
care to work for it. 1 will help you some
rora bic 1nor
if you wish. Some day you may be able to pay
it back"
The words sounded chill. yet strong as iron.
Cvril shivered but olutched blindly at them.
nThank you, Antony he said, drawing in
an icy breath. "But it is too much; may not
succeed, and beggars cannot be choosers."
"As you will; tho offer stands; take 1t or
leave it; it is at your disposal Well?"
.sNow?"
"Certainly. Don't gamble with time, Cyril.
When you see a fact take it We can't AFFORD
to lose anything. Well ?"
nThank you, Tony" he replied, frightened
into desperation. "But I can never pay 1t
back"
.You may; who knows? Well it is decided
now You had better get into bed"
Both boys reach mature years. Further sac
rifices are made by the one for the sake OF the
other Their essential characteristics remain
the same. Antony by sheer force OF will power
becomes the financial secretary of large mill,
reaching that position after filing every mi
nor capacity in the establishment.
Miss Wolf has very cleverly pictured the
two men at this epoch of their lives:
"He fAntony) is remarkably fine financier,
though somewhat conservative. In other
words he is the direct opposite of his brother,
Cyril Trent"
"And what is Cyril Trent?"
ga fool.''
s'What DO you mean by that p
sT mean he is no man."
"I don't think quite understand"
"Well with a short sarcastic laugh) per-
hans Mrs. Laurie's stinging rejoinder to that
assertion might be more comprehensive TO
YOU. She said: Mr.. Gerrish means that Cyril
does not break the seventh commandment nor
substitute Self or Gold for God.' 1t was an in
fatuated woman's opinion, but you may take
it for what it is worth"
The extracts quoted will serve to convey to
the mind of the reader an idea OF the quality
Wolf Iota hall Hua tnt