The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-10-02
BOOK NOTES.

IA Modern Mercenary,' by E. and
Hesketh Prichard. Price SIPS. Pub
lished by Doubleday and Mcclure Gem
pany, New York. Through Kellam
Book and Stationery company or sent
postpaid by the publishers to any adj
dress on approval This is bright and
dashing domance laid in an imaginary
small kingdom, whose political atmos-
phere is surcharged with the intrigueS
OF its more powerful neighbors.
Plots and cOunterplots are woven
about a very attractive love story in
which the hero's sense of honor comes
for time into direct conflict with his
chances of happiness. The authors
(AIrs. Prichard and her SOM have been
making themselves a reputation lately,
for eminently readable stories under
the names of Il. and H. Heron"
Maurice Hewlett, author of '"The For
est Lovers" (of which every Sody
entitled, Little Novels of Italy, which
undoubtedly has some of the best fic-
ton work of the year within its covers.
The first Little Novel" of the book is
entitled THE Madonna of the Peach
Tree which has been looked forward
to both here and in London. This is a
Macmillan publication and sells for
$3.50.
''The White Mail" by Cy warman.
author of STORY of the Railroad and
others. Published by Chas. Scribners
Sons, New York. Through Kellam
Book and Stationery company. The
story is laid in the days when wooden
bridges still crossed the Missouri at
East st. Louis, when tanks were kept
filed by donkey power, when all en-
plOyers, from conductors to flagmen,
had far more liberty of action and judg-
ment than now. The hero began as
driver of a donkey and ended as presi-
dent of a large railroad corporation.
His companion devoted himself to Ia
Dor problems and stayed back in the
race for promotion The author i'm
pressed the lesson that those who keep
their whole mind on duty, can make
themselves Indispensable to employers,
and outrun those who merely talk and
fight for their rights"
A volume entitled 1.-THE Bow Legged
Ghost" by Leo Mead, with an intro
dUction by James Whitcomb Riley, has
just been issued by the Werner COM
pany.
Dead Men Tell No Tales" by E. W
HOuning, author of Some Persons IN
known" Price $1.25. Published by
Chas. Scribners Sons, New York. The
story relates to piracy on the high seas
in 1853. A ship going to England from
Melbourne, heavily laden with gold, is
seized and after the gold had been
transferred is burned and most Of the
passengers with a few exceptions are
drowned. One young Englishman who
escapes, tells the story. He is a rival
Of young Railway, g. Yorkshire farmer,
turned smuggler and pirate for the
hand of the chief pirates daughter.
The story is developed through many
thrilling scenes of murder and attempt
ed murder. The chief pirate is an I'M
usually cold blooded man, and this
character alone is especially interest
ing to follow.
The book ends we'll, and the story is
told throughout with a dash that is a
pleasure to read.
1.-The Black Douglas" by s. r. Crock
EFT. has reached its thirteenth thousand.
Published by Doubleday and Nc
Clure Co., New York.
1.-THE Man Who Dared" by John P.
Ritter. Price s1.25. Published by C.
w. Dillingham; & Co., New York. The
plot of this story is ingenious and bril-
liantly developed, following closely the
facts and traditions Of the period it
covers. It includes a vigorous love
story that is well in keeping with it's
tragic historical setting. Mr.. Ritter
has been very successful in represent
ing the distinguished qualities of the
French nation. The book is good in
conception and of absorbing interest to
the end.
Trooper $780, by Lionel Decle. Price
$125 with illustrations Published by
Chas- Scribners Sons, New York This
Trooper $685. a private soldier of the
Third Republic, gives a startling ex-
pose of French army methods, as is
stated in the preface, ''Dreyfus has
been a victim, not so much of individ-
uals, of a faulty system"
The book throws a strong light upon
the Dreyfus case which is certainly a
terrible picture. The story as told is
supposed to be a story of real life. It
is the personal experience of a young
man, a private soldier in the French
army. Mr.. Decle was born of French
parents but was educated in England
hence his ideas are of particular value
owing to his Anglo-SaxOn point of
view.