The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-06-02

Juletty, A Story of Old kentucky.
By Lucy Cleayer McElroy, with II
illustrations by w E. Mears, limo.
$3.50
No book of recent years has arous-
ed more interest, in advance of pub
lication. than this Kentucky tale.
James Lane Allen has described
the Blue Grass Country and John
Fox. Jr.. has depicted the Kentucky
mountains, but no author has before
invaded the @Pennyrile" district. It
is a magical region, full of caves and
ponds. and the people are genuine
sons Of the soil. They are full of
prejudices. and yet hospitable to the
last degree. '.Juletty'' is a beauti-
fRI girl, who has managed to achieve
an education considerably above that
of her own class. The grandfather
of the hero is distinct type in fic-
tion;. big and generous, quick temp
cred. but tender as child. He is
wonderfully drawn. The characters
are not numerous. but they are all
distinct
The story is all out of doors. It
has unity of action; incident leads
to incident, and it is thoroughly dra-
matte from the start-where a moon
sinner shoots revenue oficer-to
the finish-where sentence is pro-
nounced ON an illicit distiller. One
chapter in the book deals with the
battle OF Lebanon, which is hither-
to unwritten bit of history, and the
death and burial of gallant Young
Tom Morgan is graphically told. The
other chapters are confined to Rich
Pond and the neighborhood, near
Bowling Green; there is a specially
thrilling scene on the louisville and
Nashville railway, near that city.
1t is a life-death race between a Can
non-Ball train and man and woman
on pair of thoroughbred Kentucky
saddlers. There is q fox hunt, in
which you fancy you hear the bay
ing of the hounds, and a startling
cave experience. There is also a
midnight lynehing. drawn to very
life. The book is, in fact, typical
Kentucky story. Regarding mo1n-
sinners. the author says:
ITO the Illicit disfiller of Kentucky,
law is simply an autocratic usurpa-
ton of power by hayward but pow
erful set OF men. His idea is that
every man should be law unto him.
self controlling. defending and car
ing for his own, and devil take the
weakest. He considers it meritorious
when he evedes or -thwarts such tyr
rany." or expressed in the language
of the defiant moonshiner:--
Don't nothin' pay in Kentucky
sence ever burned nigger's got er
crap NV somethin' er mother. Ev'
white mans fambley's gotter live, an
er heap Nv 'em can't make both ends
meet no way 'cep'in' maxim er leetle
brandy.
The author of "Juletty" was born
in Lebanon. Kentucky, she knows her
country; she knows her people: and
she depicts them with a sure and
Photographic touch, with a contagi-
GUS enthusiasm.
When one relies that this brave
woman is lifelong sufferer. and
that she wrote the whole story pick
ing the letters out on the typewriter
with one hand. her accomplishment OF
such task seems almost miraculous.
The serenity and sunniness of her
nature mar be easily discovered in
the buoyancy and enthusiasm with
which she tells the tale.
Il is fresh. Accordingly interesting
and thoroughly original both In style
and motive. and the piQuancy Of the
surprise at the end comes upon The
reader like an entirely new sensa-
ton.
The illustrations by Mr.. Mears are
vigorous and fun Of life. The artist
made special visit to the scene Of
| the story. and he has succeeded IN
| transferring 10 his drawings \ great
| deal OF the individuality which makes
| the charm OF the book.
There can be no doubt that .Julet
"" win instantly take its place with
the three or four Characteristic Amsrt
can novels Of widest circulation.
| Published bv Thomas Y. Crowell
& Co.. New York.