Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-04-15
The Editor of the Arena Criticises Ten.
sees Gifted AuthOreSs' New
Work. Volume of Stories.

In an extended review, "Heart OF Old
Hickory" and other stories of Tennes
see, b. o. Flower thus critlcises the new
volume of stories of Tennessee life by
Miss viii Allen Dromgoole. 1t has been
| said that the North and East were
quicker to extend sympathetic recogni-
tion to Southerners than the South. This
we question beyond the fact that the
great publishing houses of America are
located for the most part in the great
Northeast cities, Hut the following
criticism will, we are confident, prove Of
interest to our readers.
This volume OF short stories merits
more than a passing word of notice. 1t
illustrates the authors power and versa
Utility in forcible manner, and will
prove valuable addition to the litera-
ture of genuine merit from the pens of
Southern writers. The first sketches S,
"The Heart of Old Hickory" and "Fid-
ding His Way to Fame" are, in sense,
semi-historical, and in each Ex-Governor
Taylor is a prominent character. The
first of these sketches is, in my judg-
ment, one of the finest short stories of
the present generation. 1t has proved
unusually popular and displays the
wonderful power of its gifted author
in blending humor and pathos, while in
vesting with irresistible fascination a
sketches which in the hands of any other
than artist would appear tame and in
sipid. 1t is masterpiece in its way, and
like her other stories, deals largely with
the hopes, sorrows, aspirations and trage-
dies of the common life in Tennessee.
"Fiddling. His Way to Fame" is unique
and most delightful sketch, which will
convince all readers that the author
might have made II great success as an
advocate before jury had she chosen
law instead of literature for her profess
sion. "A. Wonderful Experience Meet
ing" and "Who Broke Up de Meetin?"
are masterful sketches of present day
negro dialect work. Unlike many per-
sons who essay this field of literature
Miss. .Dromgoole never overdoes the dia-
lect, and those familiar with the verna-
culars spoken in Tennessee and Ken
lucky will recognize the absolute fl
deity. "Rags" is a pathetic picture of
the street gamin life, showing the
strength Of our author when she paints
in somber hues.
"Ihe Heart of the Woods" is in many
respects strikingly unlike the other sto-
ries. Through it flows a stream of SUI
perpormalism which is rarely found in
the writings of our Southern authors.
In "Christmas Eve at the Corner Gro
Gerry" we are strongly reminded of the
Dickens quality in the writings of our
author, without the slightest indication
of imitation. This sketch has proved
unusually popular as a recitation at
Christmas entertainments, and almost
ranks with "The Heart of Old Hick ory"
in popularity with public readers, 1t is
charming story to be read at any time,
but especially appropriate for the holi-
days.
This volume will take high place
among the meritorious works of modern
Southern authors. Tennessee has Just
reason to be proud of the little authoress
who has depicted so many phases of
humble life within her borders with
such fidelity, such delicacy, and such
rare pathos and humor published by
Arena Publishing Company, Boston,
Mass Paper, soc, cloth, 81 25)