The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-21
A Book of ~ y
" ~ Quiet Humor

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''rhe Abandoned Farmers' 10 the rather
uninvitlng title OF book by Sydney IL
Preston which has recently been issued by
Charles Scrlbners Sons. The title IL nm
inviting for more reasons than one. In
the first place, II Is not particularly pleas
ant to even think about the farmer and his
work when the mercury is coyly lingering
around the century mark, and when the
full force OF the adjective used In connec-
tlon with this particular tiller OF the soil
Is considered. even the little glamor which
surrounds him under ordinary circumstances
FADES away and one ends ones self before
one takes up the book, wishing that Mr..
Preston had allowed his talents to drift in
some other direction.
once one is fairly into the tale. however.
a wouderons change Is wrought. For, un-
inviting or otherwise. the title Of 'rhe
Abandoned Farmer" does not prevent 1t
from being wonderfully clever little
story. As one progresses. one can not fail
to be impressed with the fact that In MIR
Preston humorous writer's like John Ken
drick Bangs and others Of his school are
confronted with most dangerous rival
and one who will cause them to use their
very hest efforts II they wish 10 remain
unsurpassed.
For he II known, "rhe Abandoned Farm
err is u humorous story, the hero whereof
ls one Henry Carton, a newspaper writer.
Mr. Carton is tho farmer OF the tale and
he Is abandoned In more ways than one.
IL comes to pass that the family physician
advises MIR. and Mrs. Carton to move to
the country on account Of tho health OF
their youthful son Paul, Just as MIR. Car.
g., O.. "A ca, NaI ,F 40
agricultural page OF the weekly edition OF
the paper on which he has formerly been
musical and dramatic critic Both Mr..
and Mrs, Carton. the latter Of whom. by
the way. IS most delightful parsonage,
have a natural desire TO live IN tho country.
This desire, OF course, Is heightened by
their concern regarding the health Of their
offspring, and the opportunity is afforded
by the change In Mr.. Cartons business az
fairs.
So 20 the country they 20, and the humor.
which has merely been suggested before.
begins 80 broaden and ripple and spread
until It touches the most distant shores OF
ones appreciation. They do not buy
farm. but rent one. They decide that the
hest way to save money is not to spend
II on farm stock aud Implements and other
pharapnoualiA, hence the farm they oe.
cupy Is very small one The owner OF
this farm hrht offers " to them for $500
year, they tell him Of their determination
not to try to mako money by farming, so
the aforesaid owner generously and as IN
evidence of special favor agrees 10 work
! the farming land himself, take the profits
! therefrom and let hs tenants have merely
the house and grounds for $500 per year.
The book Is replete with experiences OF
which this is only an indication. Mr.. Car
ION in some ways proves himself to be as
great an idiot. ns such idiots 20, as that
famous one concerning which Mr. Bangs
has told us 80 much; but he ~ such II
thoroughly delightful fellow, and he tells
Of his own good traits in such an ngen-
uouB and modest manner that one can not
keep oue's solt from sympathizing Win
him and wishing him wen, rhe various
discussions aud arguments between ho
aud his wife, from which cn PEASANT, she
never fails to emerge triumphant are
decidedly clever and one who can not
appreciate thc humor Of them must be IN
deed lacking IN several essential things
The humor Of the book Is quaint and
whimsical and Is quiet throughout but II Is
none tho lcsR effective on that account
II IA not particularly subtle. but, on the
other hand, rather simple and common
place. II is these features, perhaps. which
make II all the more enjoyable, for sim
pllclty and homeiy qualities should count
for much In these strenuous days, even
though they do not.
~
In addition to the two principals named
the characters are their son Paul, lad
with high ideals, like his father, accord.
ing to his father, and most marvellous
imaginaiion their Aunt Polly, whose
second husband finally buys the farm foi
them for variety OF reasonsi william
wcdder. a hired man who ID SO far out al
the ordinary as TO attract unusual atten'
ton. particularly wnen he distinguishes
himself by manufacturing an oil well and
then placing ruhber boots on one OF bis
neighbours pigs; Peter Waydean, tho
worthy who FIRST rents the Cartons the
farm for four hundred year, and who
hnaliy offers. after It has passed into tho
posseffitn of Carton, 10 work II ION
shares" Mia generosity being such that be
offeTs TO take all the produce himself In
order that Carton, may he free from all
danger OF bad season, which would cost
him money. There are other characters
Of course, hut they are all subordinate C
these.
As book TO be read in odd moments, oil
70 have read 80 one, THE Abandoned
Farmer" is to be highly recommended
q A. W.