The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Tales of Trail and Town. BY Bret
Harte. This volume contains the follow.
ing short stories: The Ancestors of Peter
Atherly, Two Americans, The Judgment
of Bolinas Plain, The Strange Experience
of Alkali Dick, A Night in the Divide,
The Youngest Prospector in Calaveras,
A Tale of Three Truants. The Ancestors
OF Peter Atherly, the first and longest
story of the series, is located in California
Peter and Jenny Atherly we're twins.
Before their birth their parents were cap.
tured by Indians with whom they re-
manned for some time, the father dying
in captivity. Peter was proud OF his dis
tinguished ancestry on his fathers side
and went to England to trace. his genial
logical tree. While there he became deep
~ interested in Lady Elfrida Runny brook
charming young English girl. Receiy-
ing message asking him to accept a
nomination to Congress from his own
at levee at the White House he met with
an Indian chief who had come to pay his
''great father the President, visit.
Gray Eagle recognized Peter and told him
CURLY that his father was an Indian chief.
Peter, realized the truth of the statement
by his own complex nature and by much
that he, had never understood in the sim
gular temperament of his sister. He
kept the information secret and with
this secret he buried many hopes. Later
he accepted commission to look into the
Indian grievance-his people, for whom
he felt profound pity. From that time
on the story carries Peter and his sister
rapidly along to their fate; and mingled
with them are bands OF Indians, United
States cavalry, and a party from England
which include the Lady Elfrida. Beth
Philip Atherly and his sister are fascinat-
ing characters, the author shows 80 clear
ly the predominance of race in each of
them. This interesting tale as well as
those that follow it are told with that
sure touch and literary skill which makes
the author SO captivating story teller.
New York and London: Harper &
Brothers; Portland: Loring, Short &
Harmon.
Hugh Wynne Free Quaker. Sometime
Brevet- Lieutenant Colonel on the Staff OF
His Excellency. General Washington. By
S. Weir Mitchell, M D., LII. d. Har-
yard and Edinburg. Two. volumes.
illustrated by Howard Pyle. This story
which was published in the Century SER
rally is SO well and favorably known
that an extended notice of it is unneces-
sary. 1t deals with social life in Phila-
delphia during and before the Revolution
and with the exciting scenes of the Revo-
lutionary war itself; the time covering
period from 1853 to 1888. Washington,
Franklin, Lafayette, Benedict Arnold
ana Major Andre are among the charac-
tiers in the story and many men and
women also whose names are known in
the annals of the Philadelphia of today.
Each of the characters of the story has its
own individuality, and in portraying the
women in the book the author has given
it one of it's greatest charms. Hugh
showing the strong contrast between the
stern unbending will Of his Quaker father
and the impulsive love of his beautiful
French mother. whom he adored.
Following the story of his childhood is
that of the young officer on His Excel
Iency's staff. His campaigns, captivity
and participation. in the events Of those
troubled days are told in grave, simple
manner which is very impressive. The
work is very strong historical novel OF
this American Revolution, with a charm
ing Aove story woven among it's threads.
1t is pervaded throughout by the atmos-
phere of courtesy and high breeding; the
atmosphere with which Hugh Wynne was
familiar. The book is Of remarkable in
terest and is considered Dr. Mitchell's
master piece. (New..York: The Century
Company; Portland: Loring, Short &
Herm on.)