The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-09

kings in his veins, who is chosen to carry
the truth of the Higher Criticism Of
the Bible" to the easy-going Grenser. He
is ordained to pluck a grand assortment
of burning branches from the fires OF
Popery, and with an inherited devotion
to what he conceives to be the right he
bids fair for a time to fulfill his mission.
But like all young aspirants for higher
things, he falls unconsciously In love
with a fair young country woman OF ms
no less a parsonage than the daughter
of the governor of the province And
the way in which she requites his love-
while it may bring disgust to the mind
of the emotional reader is the truest
and, from the standpoint of a calm 1udg-
ment of Southern feminirity, the most
artistic presentation of the entire mar
rative. The course of true love IN
the case of Jesus Delaney brings
him upon the rugged path OF I'M
pending death as a Mexican revolution
ist, while his lady love, with the sweet
placidity of her sex, enters with the
halo of filial devotion surrounding her
upon preparations for her nuptials with
the villain who has been all but her
lovers undoing.
This charming and wholly life-like story
is told with q literary skill and finish
which promises still greater successes in
his new field for the writer. Throughout
there is visible in its pages fine, almost
gentle, irony on the weaknesses and de-
lusions of our poor, short-sighted hui
mainly The folly of running the human
nature of the semi-tropics through the
severe molds of tastes and duties which
pertain to humanity in the temperate
regions is exposed with a quiet and keen
humor which bellies the prosaic calling
of the author. The book, too, abounds in
sketches of character, and shows the
poetic temperament, as well as the keen
discernment of the writer. Two such
types as Mrs. Lamb and Antonio show
the wide range of the authors observa-
ton. The one is the beautiful and noble
wife of the head of the Mission Insti-
tute, trimming over with a love of poor
humanity which is fairly angelic typify-
ing the true American motherhood, whose
heart responds to suffering and sorrow at
every step through life. The other, an
aged and incorrigible Mexican, who, even
in his periods of deepest aversion toward
the wickedness of the scarlet woman,
reverently lifts his hat as he passes the
cathedral, and periodically shocks those
who have compassed his conversion by
becoming hilariously drunk on the native
tipple. Then there is the narrator him
self, one of those thoroughly worthy
Christian Americans who gives freely of
his substance for the reclamation of
his hayward Southern brother. He Is
none the less, as his own admissions re-
veal him throughout the story, thoroughly
American, in his freedom from all sus-
picion of can't in his unconscious gen
crosby of soul and in manly consideration
of the weaknesses and foibles of those
around him. The hopelessness of his
quest, which is that of redeeming his fell
low creatures from the dominion of Rome,
is touchingly portrayed, when, learnin g
the utter lack of moral sense on the
part of reformed priest, who has join
ed his mission, he exclaims: Heavenly
Father, Is there an honest man among
them?' "
There are views scattered through
the pages Of this entertaining story
which give the reader a truer insight into
Mexican life and character than he could
secure from a years reading of books of
travel on that land. While the author In
dulges himself in badinage and delight
full humor in almost every page he shows
his possession Of the dramatic instinct in
many descriptive passages which are sur
passingly well done. Take, for instance,
the closing scenes of a duel between
Jesus and his successful competitor for
the hand of the beautiful Senorita Ro-
mera. Through resort to cowardly subter-
fuge, Jesus antagonist succeeds in
woundlng him severely in the sword arm:
Il beseeched Jesus to quit; as well have
PACo1QCu Will panther. lie was no more
the missionary, mild and amiable: the
glittering eyes, the teeth cleaning below
the upcurled lip, the deadly demoniac
look proclaimed the savage.
Once more the men were placed and
the word was given
"Benavides now seemed to have the
battle to himself. He was clearly on
the offensive, and several vicious lunges
he made, almost reached their aim, Fierce
with the black 10 70 oF boI /
already had an air Of a merciless
triumph. It remained but to finish his foe
Yet every effort failed. Jesus had a left
nearly as good as his right, and It's
workmanship was more deceptive. After
succession Of desperate strokes and
stabs the sword of Benavides few from
his grasp. Let me here admit, that for a
coward Benavides showed great courage
Folding his arms he looked at Jesus full
defiance. And Jesus-I hate to write it
but I could not help seeing the triumph
in his face, take on a sudden sheer
ferocity. He glared without pity at his
weaponless, foe, and raised his arm for
the death stroke.
" My God, man; don't, cried. But I
would have spoken in vain had not Craig
with swift leap stayed the uplifted
arm
Describing Mexican market the writ
er adds this bit of delightful satire on
his fellow cOuntrymen, and their besetting
sin-the Mighty Dollar: "All was orderly
Even the haggling was done with an
easy, deferential cortesy In none of the
faces did l see that sharp, strained look
of hungering for trade, so common in
streets and marts at home. Why this uni
versal aspect of contentment? Is it the
climate, or is it the tobacco? Or, may 1t
not be the great gift of good breeding,
which puts the best face on things, and
forbids the outward show of inward
meanness?
With one more quotation from the pages
of this most entertaining and refreshing
book, showing the wealth of capacity of
its author for admirable literary express
sion, we lay the book aside, urging all
lovers of an exquisite story we'll told and
of observation of national and Individual
character, at once piquant and marvellous
ly analytical, to possess themselves of a
copy. No better assurance can we sug-
gest of a days delightful enjoyment in
| the world of literary art
The closing selection are certain pas
sages, showing the writer as philoso-
pher. The occasion is the receipt
by the hero of a scented note
from his souls IDOL who after wards
venus her way to the altar as he lies
condemned to die blindfold in his tracks:
Mature is a marvel in Mexico. It knows
no bounds, follows no course. It is full
OF surprises and excuses. A cloudless
day blackens at once to furious tempest.
Prolonged, blistering, gasping heat gives
instant place to chilling mist. Today the
! plain lies parched and dead, tomorrow,
! glorious with grass and flowers Thus
material nature-is 1t so with man? I
| thought of Jesus as first met him, gem
! tie pious, absorbed in his divine mission
then recalled that scene on the plaza
where he stood defiant, disf1gured, a saw
! age. Now, here he was again trans
/ formed, another being rapturous ecstatIc
heart and soul aglow!'
II will nlaase all heliauars i1, a. aAA=zai