The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-17

Way was the only defense 1 had against
loneliness. The next moment, it seemed,
my station was called-I had been reading
three hours.
But about prefaces. the little after
thoughts that often tell the why of things.
II is in the preface to THE Right of Way
that Mr.. Parker tells his readers that he
wrote this story before a previously pub
llshed volume, "The Lane that Had No
Turning" which, as he announced at the
time of its publication, is the last story he
will ever write Of Canada. There are not a
few of Mr.. Parker admirers who will be
sorry that he has made such a decision.
Mr.. George w. Cable has waited a long
time in writing. and the public has waited
a longer time for the reading of his last
book. 1.-THE Cavalier was bound to be a
worthy product of a full literary expert
ence. Its author has already gained a
worldwide fame because OF the beauty OF
his work, and not the least claim TO fame
was his charm Of presenting his writings
on the lyceum platform. Those who have
heard him read any of his stories Will not
soon forget their pleasure in him. Mr..
Cable fought on the Confederate side OF the
great struggle which his book depicts, so
he knows the subject quite as thoroughly
as he did in the case Of his former sue
| cesses. 1.-THE Cavalier" Is one of the best
books of the season and it is achieving a
considerable circulation. 1t is gratifying to
record so worthy a success in these days Of
advertising and puffery sales.
PHILOSOPHIC HUMOR.
There have been many attempts since the
success of Dooley, AIDE, Kiser, Billy Baxter
and others to write somewhat similar sys-
TENS of philosophic humor or of humorous
philosophy. In some guise or other the sue
| cessful humorist must present a certain
| amount of homely philosophy. 1t would be
difficult to name the successful element;
whether it is the humor which leavens the
lump of philosophy or the philosophy which
gives substance and purpose TO the humor.
At any rate, both elements are necessarily
present, and long may the combination ex-
ist in right proportion. Unfortunately
however, many of the attempts OF the past
and present seasons have failed or their
purpose. vulgarity has crept in on the one
hand and, on the other, woodenness OF
| characters has prevented a realization OF
nfehkeness in the expressions. For the
most part this kind Of writing has had to
| pass the test OF newspaper publication, a
fact for which We should be grateful since
il has resulted in a disinclination on the
part OF publishers TO bring out in book
form newspaper humor which has not re-
ceived the stamp Of popular approval a
not unpleasant specimen of monologue
humor of this kind has just been published
under the title OF "One Forty Two being
| the confessions Of a reformed messenger
boy. The author is a Chicago newspaper
man and his sketches are familiar 10 the
inhabitants Of that city. Number one forty
two may never have existed in the flesh
| indeed. he is too intelligent for such a sus-
pIcion to be entertained-but in fiction. he
is a character 10 spend a few minutes with
when one tires OF a long novel or a more
| serious work OF fact. The author, Mr.. Hen
~ NJ. Hyde. has made a real hero out OF
One Forty Two in some OF the stories; in
most of them the messenger boy plays a
| good part modestly hidden under the usual
| ~frailties Of his craft.
Around the personality OF favorite au-
| thors there hangs e glamour; the least de-
tail of their lives. methods Of work. amuse-