The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-22
The Octopus.

Few writer's OF recent times have sue
ceeded more rapidly in getting hearing
from the reading public than Mr. Frank
Norris. His first story attracted attention.
his second one. "McTeague." emphasized
II. and later ones have confirmed the i'm
preston that he Is n strong. original and
picturesque writer--not without faults. but
with decided merits ''rhe Octopus" Is
story OF California and Is founded upon an
actual piece OF history little known I'm the
East-what Is known locally as the Mus
sei Slough Affair" when the wheat growers
OF the San Joaquin valley came into actual
conflict with the railroad running through
.nat seeuon' causing some strange aid al
the Octopus OF the story, and the conflicts
excited by its grasping and heartless policy
towards "A class or honest, determined and
fearless men and women furnish the main
theme or the story. The characters In this
story are quite numerous and typical OF
California life-among them Magnus Der
rick. The Governor" proprietor OF "A big
ranch; his wife and sons; Hilma Tree a
dairy girl; Vanamee, sheep herder and
range rider: Father Garria. mission
priest; Dyke, a blacklisted railroad cngi-
neer, his wife and daughter: a saloon
keeper. manufacturer. an editor. a rail-
road agent and several others. one OF the
heroines, the dairy girl on "A ranch whom
the proprietor finally marries, Is pictured
thus
she was charming. delicious. radiant OF
youth, of health. OF well-being In her eyes,
wide open, brown. trimmed with their fine
thin line OF intense black lashes, the sun
set diamond flash; the same golden light
glowed all around her thick. moist hair.
lambert beautiful, a sheen OF almost
metallic lustre, and reflected itself upon
her wet lips, moving with the words of her
singing. The whiteness of her skin under
the careSs OF this hale. vigorous morning
light was dazzling, pure or a fneness be-
yond words. Beneath the sweet meditation
of her chin. the reflected light from the
FURNISHED copper vessel she was carrying
set vibration OF pale gold Overlapping
the hush OF rose in her cheeks. seen only
when she stood against the sunlight. was
faint sheen OF down, a lustrOus floss. deli
palpable powder OF a moths wing. She was
moving TO and fro about her work, alert,
joyous. robust, and from all the fine. full
amplitude or her figure, from her thick
white neck, sloping downward To her
shoulders, from the deep feminine swell OF
her breast. the vigorous maturity of her
hips. there was disengaged a vibrant note
of gayety. Of exaberant animal life, sane.
honest. strong"
This shows the authors somewhat forid,
but picturesque style. The action of the
story is confined entirely TO the locality I'm
not only shows thorough acquaintance with
the people and conditions there, but makes
his readers feel equally at home among
them. 1t must be added. however. that
t.ae story, while IL has plenty of action. in
cident and human tragedy, Is scarcely
broad enough 10 enlist universal sympathy.
IL being confined To one phase OF a some
what narrow life. The authors efforts 10
invest wheat itself with a sort OF person.
ality mission, r. rather forced. Never
theless. THE Octopus f. "A strong story.
New York: Doubleday Page d Co.