The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-03
Janice Meridith
Paul Leicester's Story
and Its Merits.

y
doubtedly Janice Meredith" by Paul
Leicester Ford. The book-staIls the
country over have blossomed with vol
tunes, distinguished by miniature
mounted cover, the portrait of a young
woman Of exceeding color, and features
joining into an harmonious beauty. This
Is Janice Meredith. The work is having
remarkable sale, and between this and
New Years, great many thousands will
have come TO know Janice. who do not
know her now. There are two editions
OF the novel, one a popular edition of one
volume, the other of two volumes, pro-
fusely illustrated. 1t is an historical novel,
and will be read on that account by the
Kansan and westerner generally with a
scrutiny, not anticipated by the author,
and jealousy lest any one, even an MIS-
torical novelist, come any tricks of fam
iliarity with figure that stands cold,
distant, silently imposing as bronze
George Washington. OF the thousands
who follow this charming story. all will
take one of two mental roads through
it, and the fork is in the first chapter.
The first road will be followed by him
who demands that the end of one chap
ter shall act as q spring-board to
plunge him into the possible explana-
tions and acknowledgements of the next.
For the traveller along this highway, no
book has ever been written which gives
more expedition to interest, more speed
TO curiosity. The author is lavish with
incident, prodigal with drama, munifcent
of headlong narration. Janice Mere
dith, daughter of a royalist and Tory,
loved by a rebel and patriot, is doni-
ciled in a spot in the struggling colo
MES. which is royal and rebel, in daz-
zling succession. The red of the British
whips across this spot, one day, and the
buff Of the continentals slashes over it the
next. Washington, took-nosed and stern
as ever, passes it in dumb retreat and
determined advance. The play, in change
Of investiture, circumstance, and politi-
cal attitude is incessant. The wealth OF
adventure, in conflict physical and men,
tai, keys the reader high and keeps him
there. The story is long, but on account
Of this fascination, it will hold many a
reader through the night that he may
get to the end of it all in one reading.
That is one road. The other road is
taken by the reader whose mind seeks
the shrine Of his patriotism, to see If a
has violated it for the sake
OF a story. We think western readers
will generally follow this route. There is
IN the mind of the westerner this I'M
parchment Of the easterner-that the
easterner sins in being something less
than eternalIy vigilant-a belief that If
freedom depended today on New York
and its environs, and a distasteful princi-
pie involved in tax on tea, we should
not be the United States, but one with
gift of governor-general, and a lion
and unicorn for the portals Of the White
House. This may be all wrong, probably
S, but 1t is an opinion held in the west.
This shrineward-bound reader watches
Mr.. Ford's intimacy with Washington,
ealously, and is glad that nothing is
aiken from the iron grandeur of the
ather of our liberty. The author did not
'ealize, probably how keen the enjoy
nent he gave his readers in penning one
scene.
Brereton, a colonel on Washingtons |
'taff. asks Washington to write Governor |
Livingston of Jersey, and intercede for |
he life of Mr.. Meredith. the father of !
lis sweetheart Janice, Mr.. Meredith, a |
oyalist, being under sentence of death. |
dearly loves Brereton, a |
- !; I,,k
lie replies: az have ever refrained from |
in the civil line and one |
'reaking of the rule would destroy the |
abric I have reared with so much pains. |
f I have gained influence with the peo-
lie, with the army, and with the state
'ficials, 1t is because have ever refused |
0 allow personal considerations to Shape |
ny conduct; and that reputation it is my
Iuty to maintain at all hazards, that
What 1 advise and urge shall never be
pen to the slightest suspicion of any
ther motive than that of the public
God. 1t is necessity which has caused
ne pain in the past, and which grieves
ne at this moment, but I hold a trust.
10 not make its performance harder than
t need be-
Brereton persists, but to 80 purpose,
nd the general having left him the task
f sealing the dispatches Brereton adds
postscript to the letter TO Livingston
rom Washington, which postscript asks
ardon for Meredith. This request pre-
ented the execution and Brereton, hear
ng of it. confesses to Washington, and
Washington sat down at his desk and
eaned his head on his hand rs it not
nough, he said. that congress is filed
With my enemies. that the generals on
ThOm 1 must depend are scheming my
uin and their own advancement, but
hat even within my own family I can
ot find those who will be faithful to me?
Iy God! is there no one 1 can trust?"
And again after Brereton had further
poken; your lapse of duty TO the
ause we are engaged in, sir. and my
ense of it, make it out of the question
hat I should ever again trust you; it is
therefore, impossible for me 10 longer re-
ain you upon my staff But your loyalty |
nd past service speak loudly in your
avor, and I shall not, therefore, push
our public punishment further than 20
emand your resignation from my fam
y. and so soon as there is a vacancy
mons the officers of the line you shall
axe your place according to the date Of
our commission. The wrong you have
one me personally is OF different ma
lrs. and from this moment the affec-
on have borne for you cease, and such
as has existed between US
The historical scenes OF the Revolution
re given in Janice Meredith with
lore vividness than has before been be-
towed upon them. BY a shift Of cir
unstances. Janice herself is well nigh