The San Francisco call., 1901-10-20

ndssett Is barely cold from the press
the energetic publishers are already pass
Ing word in advance to the literary world
that in 1904 Mr.. Pidgin will have ready a
life OF Aaron Burr: and further, that two
romantic successors of "Blennerhassett'
will be ready in 1902 and 1909. Mr.. Pidgin
says that :. 'Blennerhassett' Is not de-
fence but only the opening argument In
the long postponed case Of the American
people VS.. Aaron Burr
When Mr.. Pidgin comes forth with his
Life of Aaron Burr" then 1t Is time
enough to consider his opinions and such
facts as he has to offer In the light OF
history. At present the reader who does
not take historical novels with pinch el
salt as far as facts are concerned has not
been following that flood of modern
literature with much care.
Mr.. Pidgin is absolutely frank in his
partfsanship for Burr. He places his IDOL
on the highest pedestal and then takes MS
reader up III balloon that Burr may be
seen ard admired while the rest of the
world fades away in the dim perspective
far below. tf.
The general reader is so busy with his
own heroes Of the present day that II Is
doubtful whether he cares very much
whether Aaron Burr IL held up In the light
of angel or devil. To the masses II Is
appeal merely as novel and as such It
Is simply one of many-goOd enough and
better than the majority of such published
to-day but nothing remarkable
The book ts rather loose in construc-
tion II Mr.. P!dg!n had not occupied him
sci! so seriously In his effort to raise Burr
and sn1irch President Jefferson and Alex
ander hamilton he would have written
better story. Thai the book is rot with
..,,t :sa L., xtsr ho
lowing selection:
captain. 'snd they WIN give US no quarter.
Gay your prayers. for they will not give you
time when they once board"
But. cried Theodoo;a; are we to make
no resistsnce? Are we to stand here and AL
low ourselves to be taken killed without
one word OF reniorstrance? Are we to make
no effort whatever TO save our iivesT'
III win do good, answered tbs captain
"N hat can we do aeoinst sixty bloodthlrsty
pirates: each enc Of those boats has fifteen
men I'm it."
..But you hav..a cannon mounted there
exclaimed Theodosia, and, she pointed 10 the
stern Of III. boat Have YOU No ammuni-
tom
Yes" answered the captain. ''the carpenter
knows where 1t is. But What's tn. use: Every
hInds.
But" said Thcodosis, ''wa die but
oncc. and they do mere than XIII US
II we kill some of them.
Then ske cried Gentlemen. arm your
selves with whatever weapons you can hnd.
Where is tire cnrpen,srr' lie stepped for
ward. we viii do what can she said.
TO defend ourselves
The small cannon was soon loaded and
priined. Docs any one know how 20 hre it?'
asked Theodosa.
NC. said the captain. I'VE never nre It
except on the Fourth OF July. and then al
ways hire an extra man 10 take charge Of
IT,
Then 7 vii, FIRE itr' cried Th.cdosia with
the passengers the gun was sighted. Theodo-
sIa touched II OF and as luck would have Il.
the aim IVES :ood.s
The ball struck the forwsrd boat tearing
through Il In such q way that Il soon nllsd
With water and the pirates were obilxed to
Jump from IL helter- skeiter. They were soon
picked up by the other boats. which kcpt on
their way toward the Ship.
II told yof II would do no good" said the
wsak-kueed cs:tain.
1T has surely done no harm answered
Theosif siR. ''if arc TO die anyway. II In
the frat time ever fred cannon and feel
quite proud OF my marksmsnship''
Soon one OF the boats reached the side Of
the ..patriot.' and It's occupants. armed with
cutlssses and pistols. "an,e clsmbering oyar
the tu,wsrks. Then n hsnd-to-hand aght
ensusd. of course the issue can easily be
OWNED. The passengers and crew were poor
iy armed. aud no match for the broad cutiass
and the pair. OF pistols carried by each Of
their enemies.
~ the pirates reached the deck Theodosia
xraspsd u cu,iass Suddenly. In front of her
Ing the bulwark Raising the sword aloft,