The age-herald., 1900-05-27


 Glasgow It is a remarkable fact, but nevertheless true one, that a small town in Virginia has giv- en to this country recently two ot its best women writers. Few readers of popular fiction there are at the present time who do not know that Miss Mary Johnston was born and spent her childhood days at Buchanan, Va. A fewer number, perhaps, know that in this same town dwelt another little girl who was alike to become famous. For Miss Ellen Glasgow has already achieved an enviable reputa- ton as an author. This much the two writers had in common--the same native state and the same native town. And no doubt a similar inherent love for their na- tive state and it's remarkable history, past and present, has been the chief stimulus in the literary work which each one has already achieved. But there is still anoth- CT coincidence in their literary careers. We all know that Miss John ston's first book was accepted by the publisher before anyone knew she had even written a line. Likewise Miss Glasgow's first book was not only accepted, but published before even her family knew she had written it. Miss Johnston has taken as her province the old historical Virginia, with her pie  which are always romantic and interesting. Under the magic of her marvellous pen the old fascinating life stands out with such vividness that we live the period over again and forget in the reality Of the scenes and the people the years that inter- vene.
 Miss Glasgow lays her scenes in more recent times. Incidentally they are in Vir- ginia: strong, vigorous story of her so- cial and political life. Miss Johnston's
 ,IR.f "a history of Virginia for it's raison detre. Miss Glasgows work, while 1t treats in- cidentally of Virginia, Is not dependent upon Virginian scenes and could easily have occurred in any southern state.
 Miss Johnston's work is historical TO- nance Fiction that contains large per- centage of accurate, well digested history, mellowed and sweetened and delightfully."- prepared for the readers palette by an in terweaving of romance and recital of the old, old story. All this involves a pie turesque and vivid conception of the period, imagination, dramatic ability, good de- scriptive powers, strong characterizations, by no means least-the accomplishment of knowing how to tell a story. All these Miss Johnston possesses and more.. Miss Glasgow's work, exemplified in "The Voice of the People," Is more specifically character work. While as a piece of fic- tion she in it portrays the social and polit- ical life of the state. with all its well known pecuiarities and characteristics the author goes deeper. She draws the main- spring of her story from the hearts and souls of human beings. The aristocracy and racial characteristics of Eugenia Bat tie as opposed to the poverty and accident of lowly berth in Nicholas Burr. Thus is centered the power of the story, and its central interest," in these two characters and their analysis and presentment.
 sss
 Miss Glasgow has written three books. 1.-The Voice of the People, is her third book, and no doubt, her best book. She is still a young woman, and it is remarka- ble that one young should have written so vigorous and masterly piece of work.
 Miss Glasgow evidently knows well the scenes in which her story is laid. She ms full knowledge and complete Symn&3Ny with the negroes of the state, and defifie- ates their peculiarities and characteristics with the same fidelity which marks the work of best southern writers. The humor and pathos of their lives, as well as their superstitions, are afecttonately ham dled by the author, and give homely touch of truthfulness to her scenes. There are many excellent characters in the sto- ry, for the canvass is a crowded one, al- though the chief action of the story is centered around the destiny of two people. The aristocrats-those rho for generations have inherited the best blood in Virginia, along with it's traditions and it's soil; the poor whites, who slaved in their hard en- deavor to meet the responsibilities of life, and the negroes-each has his place in the story, and plays his part. There is no elaborate plot; the action of the story and the incidents are as simple in their con struction as is generally the case In real life. Like Miss Johnston, the author Is daring in her decision to give an ending to her story which is against the wishes of the reader
 Few authors, and especially such a young one, would have decided upon so hazardous thing as to marry her heroine in the middle of the book and then to the wrong man. That this supposed climax does not stihe the interest of the reader and consequently mar the story is due en- tirely to the genius of Miss Glasgow in her character work Portraying Nick Burr as she does almost from his infancy, the readers interest and sympathy in him are made complete, and when the crucial moment of destiny arrives for him the reader is held spell-bound, notwithstanding the loss of Eugenia and her subsequent marriage What this loss meant to him is very beautifully summed up in few words "He had loved one woman and he owed her still. There were months-even .ears-when he did not think of her; when le thought profoundly of other things; but in these years the thrill of no womans skirts had disturbed his calm. And again there were winter evenings-evenings when he sat beside the hearth, and there came to him tn thought of home and children-of a woman's presence and D child's laugh. He could have loved the woman well had she been Eugenia, and he could have loved the child had it been hers; but beyond her went neither vision nor his desire.''
 Art for arts sake was never more for cibly exemplfed than in this story for the reader instinctively feels the truthfulness of treatment as portrayed in the destiny of Nicholas Burr. The final ending of the story is gloomy and disappointing; never theless one of the sweetest and truest pie tures of actual. real life is portrayl- in the union of Eugenia and Dudley A summing