The age-herald., 1901-11-18
5omo NsU Books
George Washington Cables Story.

George Washington Gables Story.
 It is little wonder that even at so carly q stage the publishers of George W. Ca- ble's new novel, "The Cavalier" should have been literally overwhelmed with or ders. The book is so thoroughly whole some and so altogether lovable-almost adorable, one might say-that to read it is to be delighted. There has always been a delicious arome of sweetness about Cables love stories but in "The Cava- Her" he easily surpasses himself, for he deals with the tender passion under con- alterations which force a kind of thral- dom of the heart. It is war time in his book, and love that will withstand the whizzing of as many bullets as cleave the air around his heroes and heroines, must be of the kind that would die for your sake" as the poet writes.
 The theme of ''The Cavalier is an ad- roit handling of the doings of Ferry's scouts, a company of Louisiana rangers, who went through the Mississippi cam paign just before the fall of Vicksburg and Gettysburg, and whose exploits were one constant thrill of charge and count ercharge upon the enemy by night and day. When Ferry was not rushing upon the Federals, the latter were upon him, and it was nip and tuck from start to finish Geographically and typographical ly, MT. Cable has shown perfect familiar ity with the Mississippi and Louisiana country, while his knowledge of military affairs, technically and practically, makes him quite in line with Gen. Charles King as a writer of military romance.
 Charlotte Oliver, beautiful angel of the South in those days, Is the unwilling wife of traiterous scoundrel, and she plays a thrilling part in the Cable trag- edy. She is madly in love with Ferry, however, and, as war correspondent, is allowed access to both armies. Her hus- band betrays her friends, and is finally shot by one of Ferry's men. Charlotte Oliver bears her own name among the Federals, but transposes it into Coralie Rothvelt when among the Confederates. l She is never false to either side, though she does much for the cause of Ferry. Hers is a life of profound mystery, for no one knew how or why she married the treacherous Oliver, whom she loathes. She is finally wounded desperately. shot through the lungs while Ferry is also severely hurt in an engagement.
 Richard Smith is a youthful warrior, who enlisted before he was 19, and is Ferrys closest friend. Between the two is the closest intimacy, and Smith per forms many deeds of daring. He shares the honor of every battle with Ferry, and has his life and work sweetened by the love of a Creole girl, Camille, for whom he made many a bold dash into the enemy s lines.
 Taken as a whole, MT. Cables newest bid for fame through "The Cavalier cannot but add lustre to his laurels. It Is a play of soldiery, with such an abun- dant massing of Aaleidescopic changes, that the chapters ring out rapidly upon the stage, and the people are real-a re- habilitated battle, as it were. '"The Cav alier'' is better than any like war story, because of its action, which Is never ending. Ferry's scouts come upon the scene, and they are right there all the time. Yet they are never obtrusive- There is quite enough valor among the "Blue and Cray to satisfy both sides, and modern literature contains no scene more pathetic than the death of the Union of- | ficer in the house of Confederate sym | pathizer. Wounded unto death, his end | approaching, when he asks Charlotte Oli- yer to sing the Star Spangled Banner .' | Some Union prisoners, hearing the first bars of the song, toop uk the refrain and sang 1t through despite the open con- mand of one of Ferry's men to desist. Ii ie, -&s dnSn otc1xr 6 scene (Charles Scribners Sons, New York.