The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-19
SANTA oLAus's PARTNER,

SANTA CLATS'S PARTNER, by
Thomas Nelson Page, illustrated In
eolors by w. Glackens. Publishers,
Charles Scrihner's Sons, New York.
Price, $3.50.
Why do we not have more sweet and
seasonable Christmas storiesg That
question is asked every year by those
who 20 into bookstores To select timely
presents for their friends. This year
one will not be forced to so back 10
Dickens .Christmas Carols" though in
their way (and delightful and pleasant
way it isl nothing SO good has been
written, and we doubt il we may look
for ii in the future. But appreciation
of the ever fresh Christmas Carols OF
Dickens whets the appetite for newer
stories that shall warm the heart at
Christmas time. Thomas Nelson Page
has filled long felt want" in his
charming story dealing with the modern
Christmas in a great city of the new
world. 1t introduces you to New
York millionaire. bachelor, who found
his happiness in money making, having
none of those tender ties that make
the Christmas season the time of reailZ-
Ing the truth of the scripture 1T Is
more blessed to give than to receive.
This man was led out of the hard and
,oveless world by little girl who show
cd him the light and warmth of life
OF making others happy, and brought
him into happiness that lasted for
many Cshristmases and for all time.
Mr.. Page has succeeded where few
have found success since Dickens. His
story is the ideal Christmas story--ir
will make the heart lighter and the
holiday fuller of color As n writer of
dialect stories he ranks with the best
and his Red Rock is the best histori-
cal novel of this decade. He adds sue
cess to success. and with each new
book his admirers are moved to say 10
the author: please, sir, | want some
more.
MIR. DOOLEY IN THE HEARTS
OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, by Mr.. +.
+. Dunno. Publishers: Small, May
nard 4 Co. Boston. Price. S1.25.
As showing the popularity of the
Dooley letters. the advance sales Of this
book required an initial edition of 30
go copies. The author. a brilliant Chica-
20 Journalist. has suffered at the hands of
piratical publishers and was forced to go
to law to protect his rights. The hui
morons dedication tells OF his trials.
1t is:
To
Sir George Newnes. Bart
Messrs. George Routledge 4 Sons
Limited
And other publishers who, unlimited.
presented Mr.. Dooley to part
of the British public.
The preface, usually 50 dull that we
hasten to skip it, has this opening dash
OF Iumor: THE author may excuse
the presentation of these sketches to the
public on the ground that, if he did not
publish some of them, somebody would,
and, if he did not publish the others, no
body would This volume represents
the best expressions Of Mr.. Dooley in
wit and pathos and will add to his repu-
tation. The FIVE chapters on .@The
Dreyfus Case contain about the best
humor with which Mr.. Dooley has de-
lighted the world.
THE LIFE OF FRINGE OTTO Won
BISMARCK. by Frank Preston
Stearns. Publishers: J. b. Lippin-
colt Company, Philadelphia.
Americans are apt TO judge Bismarck
by the standard they measure states
men IN Republic. This estimate is
not the true one, for he was born TO
reverence his sovereign and to be jealous
Of his glory. Mr. Stearns puts his read
ers in the atmosphere Of the Germany
of Bismarck's time, and in an interest
ing life gives what Americans have long
wanted. clear statement of the charac
ter Of the man and an explanation of his
policy as related to the historical events
Il II 4 H..
Of the notion that Bismarck was a sort
Of political AIephistopheles, and declares
that Ibis worst enemies have never been
able TO prove a single discreditable act
against him in his public or private life.
= He was somewhat yio-
lent and d0mineering. but neye"
for personal ends He appears
always. in The light of disin
terestel statesman. whose whole thought
and activity are concentrated on what
he considers the welfare Of his country.
In the seventeen chapters, dealing with
every important event in his history, the
anthor justifies his high estimate of the
Iron Chancellor. The book is written in
4 most entertaining style, and holds the
attention from the first TO the last OF
the 430 pages. 1t is printed in a peculli-
arly pleasing style and elegantly bound.
Before the preface the author gives
this admirable poem:
THE GAME OF LIEH9.
The life Of man is like game Of chess,
TO which he plays according to his art:
Winning or losing, he does nothing
less
Than to obey the dictates OF his
heart.
Himself against himself, he ever sets
Ills pawns. knights, castles in brave
array;
His soul the stake he on the issue
bets
Too high a prize to risk in thought
less play.
Honor and conscience do the Write men
guide,
Desire and his self-love the red d.
rect,
An angel and a demon on each side
O'erlook the game-for it results
elect.
If thou wouldst win and not thy future
rue
Subdue thyself, yet to myself be true.