The age-herald., 1900-06-24


 synonymous with literature that is pc culiarly his own. Time was, and not so
 very long ago, when fears were entertain
 ed by his friends as well as his many read
 CTS, that he had probably written himself ! out. For he had positively become grue-
 some in his earnest endeavor to be humor-
 ous. Fortunately, however, this proved not to be the case: and as his readers hoped that he would do, he has opened upon en- | tirely new vein and we find here his hu- l mour as delightful of old. The Boom ing of Acre Hill and Other Stories is a 1 collection of short tales just published some of which have already appeared in
 the publications of the Harper Brothers. The literary quality of these tales, to- | gether with their genally satirical flavor | and delightful humor will add more to MT i Bangs reputation than anything he has written in years. Certain phrases of social | life and amusing problems of varied kinds are treated 3n the stories, every one of which is excellent. ''rhe Booming of Acre Hilf' is as familiar and natural in its de- | scriptions as if one had already passed through just such experiences. Few pos 1 sess in this life the philosophy of Carson in his "misadventures of an Organ" who un- der extreme provocation cauld not forget ! the laws of hospitality but led his guests To the church because he thought after what he had to say to them, that they might need a little religious consolation" | Ono of the best stories in the book is 'Jarley's Experiment" which is fully char acterized by that youthful and good na- tured jocularity that is MT. Bangs hap piest possession.
 | It's good story for any one to read who | is wearied and perpetually harassed by the monotonous routine duties of life. The | caprice and whimscality of MT. Jarley will amuse even the most sober-minded; while the results of his experiment and his Thanksgiving will smooth out the wrinkles Of care and prove as good a tonic. For such stories are the best mental tonic one can have when weary in mind and heart MT. Bangs first effort in the way of a love-story is contained in this book; and
 those who read Harry and Maude and l. Also James," and "An AHinitive Romance" will certainly admit that they are unique love stories, of their kind.
 Mrs Upton'S Device will probably be enoyed by readers much as any story in the book It treats of the somewhat overworked theme of woman match maker; yet the treatment is delightful
 and the denouement so original and in- genious that the story is captivating. There are two excellent illustrations by c. D. Gibson, and by this new work MT. Bangs has established himself in the hearts of his readers more firmly than ever before | Another book of short stories of similar | character of the former is by Thomas A | Janvier, a journalist and literateur, form | erly of Philadelphia, though now of New 1 York. One does not read many pages to | know perfectly that the author knows well | his fi4.ladelpha, though at present he is | far enough removed from her to indulge in l all manner of gibes at her expense. Of | Aunt Maria" in "Le Bon Oncle D'Ameri- | que" he says: Aunt Maria was striking | type of one sort of old-fashioned Philadel- l phla gentleWoman. Solid responsibility was l her hold. She had enough department to 1 fit out dozen New York women, and she | was propriety itself-and she could talk | more dull stupidities in half an hour than 1 any woman outside of Philadelphia could | talk in half year,
 The Passing of Thomas" and other stories by Thomas A. Jauvier possess all 1 the lightness and fancfulness of touch, l the humor and imagination of the work of | MT. Bangs, and they possess something
 more, for they are better work. Just what | this quality is that leads one to pronounce | the work of MT. Janvier as superior to | that of MT. Bangs is difficult to define | One can very easily say the literary ] quality of the one is superior to the l other and take sure refuge in the declara- 1 ton made by recent reviewer that it | would be a hopeless task to explain what ''the literary quality is to one who did not understand it without being told | This reviewer gives the gratuitous sugges- ton that if one will take a course of Vir- | gil, Milton, Thackeray, Stevenson, and be- l take himself to the works, say of 1gnatiuS Donnelly and Laura Jean Lbbey he will perceive what is meant by the literary quality"
 -Four Years Nine," by Bart Mynderse,
 is most original and unique piece Of | work It is a perfect and very vivid | picture of life behind the bars-"some times a place of rogues and thieves, and honest men among" While it is not the kind of literature exactly that one would | pick out for self-improvement or amuse- l ment yet scarcely anything more striking | or fresh could be conceived. The variety l of characters described gives full play to | the authors wit and humor, while the oc- casional touch of pathos Is very eHectVe and forms a whole that is most unique | The building of the book and cover design 1 are peculiarly appropriate to the contents, although designed in excellent taste. While | the book may give one creepy gruesome sensation it will no doubt meet with large | sales with certain class of readers
 Short stories seem to be unusally popular | this spring: at least they are very numer-
 ous among the newest publica tions. Ber- nard Capes, an English author who has | already attained quite degree of emi- | hence as a writer of good, strong work contributes a volume or snort StorleS. HIS | latest book is a collection of short stories entitled "From Door to Door," MT. CapeS has divided them into four classes which | he designates as Fantasies" |" "Romances," | "Whimsies" and "Levities." MT. Capes, l in his work evinces an experience of life | that is broad and full of variety: this, of | course gives varied picturesqueness to | his work that adds materially to the charm | of the book. From Door to Door" Is we'll 1 published and excellently printed, and | makes an acceptable book for summer | reading
 l John Fox, Jr., Is one of the strongest