davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
NEW ENGLAND LEGENDS
AND FOLKLORE.
BY Samuel Adams Drake.
CLittle, Brown & Coz

This is a revised edition of the book
which was first published in 1888. The
author, Samuel Adams Drake has
written as much as any other author,
perhaps, about Massachusetts, and New
England history Some of his recent
books are Historic Mansions and
Highways Around Boston" "Old Land
marks and Historic Personages of Bos-
ton" around the Hub" "Nooks and
Corners of the New England Coast"
He bears the name of one of the most
famous organizers and statesman,
Samuel Adams. His work of gathering
together historical matter about the
early colonies, about our own neigh
borhoOd, has been most faithfully per-
formed His work is presented in
a scholarly manner and it is uniformly
accurate and reliable.
In this book Mr.. Drake says he has
omitted the purely fictitious tales in de-
filming the word legend to be something
with an historical basis
The author, in his preface to this re-
vised edition, says;
Another form of the New England
legend, the one perhaps, with which
we are most familiar, is really founded
on fact, yet is so manipulated to give
the freest scope to the writer's flights
of fancy, or to serve the purposes of
his art, as to make it difficult to tell
what is fact and what fiction. In this
class may be included much, if not all,
of our legendary poetry. The great
use made of thes .7yersified tales in the
public schools h. caused them to be
widely accepted as true versions, re-
CARELESS of the fact that poetic license
is so often only another name for po-
etic invention. 1t would. however, be
an objectionable indiscret!on so much
as even to hint that poets, as a rule,
do not make reliable historians.
yet is truth still stranger than fic-
ton. There is still another description
of New England legend, simple and
true, bitter as truth sometimes is, yet
bone of the bone, and flesh of the flesh
of the generation which gave it birth.
This is the homely prose legend as it
fell from the lips, or was recorded by
the pens, or eye or ear witnesses to
what they have related. This is au-
thentic, and it tells us Just what we
most wish to know. With entire in
genuousness ii admits us to those sin
gular beliefs which so moulded the
opinions. swayed the consciences, and
unbalanced the judgments Of living
men and women. who. indeed. had both
human and divine law for their support
and guide in giving the fullest faith to
those beliefs.
1T was these considerations which
first gave me the idea of bringing the
versified and the prose New England
legends together. side by side, in order
that those interested in the subject.
more especially teachers. might have
as ready access to the truth, as hith-
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
THE VIEWS OF AN Elk
PRESIDENT.
BY Benjamin Harrison.
.AAAAAAAAAAAAA.AAAAAAAAs
(The Bowen Merrill Coz

General Harrison is one Of the strong
est characters in American life devel-
oped since the Civil War. Although he
was a prominent figure in the war, and
displayed courage and qualities that
later served to make him the chief
magistrate of this nation, it was after
the war that his great success in life
was achieved. His was a firm, man
ly character that inspired respect. The
more his work is contemplated, the
more his memory is honored by Amer
lean citizens.
These Views of an x-President"
give the ripened opinions and the
choicest thought of a great statesman.
We are 75.OOO0OO of people, and Benja-
min Harrison was among a dozen Of
the greatest among us. The value Of an
opinion depends almost wholly upon the
mind of the man who holds it, These
papers and addresses OF General Har-
rison show the quality OF his mind.
The subjects include a vide range
governmental religious. educational
and political. Especially noteworthy
are the lectures on the constitution and
IT'S development and the lecture on the
status OF territory annexed to the
United States. papers on the subjec
OF expansion, the address on the coin
ecumenical conference. -.....---
Since the foundation of the American
republic II has been a problem and
now, when the republic has grown to
be among the foremost nations Of the
earth. the occupation Of an expression
of the United States becomes of great
err and greater Importance. AS a ma
ton we have right to hold in high
est regard and honor men who hav
been presidents of the United States
who have occupied the chair of Wash
ington, Jefferson, Monroe, Lincoln
Grant, Mckinley. 1t is more difficult
to serve the nation honorably as an ex-
president perhaps, than as president.
There are no rules by which an ex-
president can be guided; but he goes
on making history for himself and for
his country after his term of office
has expired. His career continues to
be public, even though he seeks no
publicity.
John Quincy Adams went back into
q congress after he was president of the
United States. Grover Cleveland is
leading a quiet home life, avoiding
public notice and attention. President
Hayes did likewise. President Harri
son. however. went back into the ac
tive practice of his profession and
achieved notable success. He became
easily the first citizen of the nation
over which he had been chief magis-
trate.
This book, which contains a sum-
mary of his thought and work during
this trying time. is a gift to the Amer
lean people that VIII be appreciated.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
THE NEW CANTERBURY
TALES.
By Maurice Hewlett
CThe Macmillan Coz

This is a quaint and marvellous book.
These who have loved Chaucer's Can
terbury Tales can read with new zeEt
and appreciation these new tales with
just a suggestion Of imitation in their
form, language and delicate humor.
The skilful touch Of the master hand
is recognized in every page Of this
book The tellers Of these tales are
the Lady Prioress of Ambresbury;
Master Corbet, the Scrivener Of Lon
don; Dan Costard, the Prioress's con-
fessor; Smith. the shipman Of Hull;
Captain Brazenhead, formerly Of Milan,
and Percival Perceforest. who was
born in Gloucester
The themes Of these stories are sim
liar TO those Of the Canterbury Tales
and the other books Of similar form.
They are not intended primarily for
the young person." but they are more
refined and less suggestive than those
Of the earlier writer's. There is a
charm in the style that is irresistible
1t is quaint, homely and pleasing.
From The Scrivener's Tale, in which
a king of England makes a sorry ex-
hibition of himself, TO Percival Perez
forests Tale, in which a man marries
man, and a woman marries a wo-
man, during an odd experience, there is
nothing lacking to stimulate the gen
eral reader to follow the adventures
related in this single book. It is
unique, it is out of the fashion, it is
bold, but, after all, it is book to
treasure.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
DENsLOW'S OTHER I
GOOSE.
By w. w. Denslow. {
Mcclure. Phillips & Co..

Any book which gladdens a childs
heart, or any ones heart for that mat
ter has a place in the world. This is
the place for 'Denslow's Mother Goose
and we feel sure that both the old and
the young will be glad to renew their
acquaintance with the old lady in her
new and gorgeous garb. w. w. Dens-
low, the artist, is best known as the
illustrator of Father Goose" a book
which gained for him fame. This vol
ume, his illustrated Mother Goose"
contains his latest work in the field
in which he has displayed his greatest
ability. Whether it is his best work,
comparison will show Certainly it is
productions of this character, and prob
ably better adapted to a childs under
standing. That it is a brilliant work,
none will deny. 1t is printed in four
colors in bold, fiat impressions with
simple outlines, producing an effect
which will be readily enjoyed by the
little ones, while the older readers will
recognize the art that can bring about
these harmonious and numerous effects
by such simple treatment The artist
has chosen only those merry jingles
which are best known and most worthy
Of preservation, carefully avoiding the
senseless rhymes in ungrammatical
English which other collections per-
petuate to the injury of child readers.
The pictures accompanying the text,
while comical, are entirely free from
cheap vulgarity.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27

The substance Of this book was de-
lIvered i'm eight lectures before the
Union Theological Seminary of New
York. The narrative of the story fol-
lows as closely as may be the course
OF legislation and parliamentary de-
bate. The close connection between
the secular history and the church his
tory Of France Is apparent. The au
thor says that none Of the causes gen
orally assigned for the French Revo
luton is approximately adequate TO ex
plain the sad phenomenon. II was no
solely due to fiscal bankruptcy for the
nation found resources that enabled IL
10 nut forth unprecedented eXertions
in both offensive and defensive war
fare. IL was not entirely caused by the
REVEALS OF secular feudalism, for those
survivals. though oppressive, were In
significant In comparison with the feu-
dal burdens carried by neighboring
lands where no connagration wa
kindled. Now was II even
measurably due to that mys-
terious secret upheaval attrib-
uted TO mental exaltation, OF which
so much has been suggested and hint
ed, but about which nothing is known
The burgher and peasant masses ot
France were better instructed and NOR
Intelligent than their fellows elsewhere
But they only worry themselves int
rebellion. exhibiting no comprehension
whatsoever of their plight or their task
Doubtless all these causes worked 10
gether. but the mightiest obstructiv
force was ecclesiastical fanaticism
both positive and negative.
The volume is instructive. IL is ded-
icated TO Seth Low, who is at present
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27

love freely and believes thst when
death releases his mother, he VIII come
back to her She lives cheerfully ana
happily during the 10 years. There IS
no communication between the palt,
but she grows more and more to IDEAL
ize Merivale. She becomes a writer OF
pOvels: he writes 9 book OF poems.
There his ambition ceases for JlHe
After his mothers death MerlNale
passes five years on the continent
mostly in Paris He returns to seek a
career in Parliament and his pohucal
ambitions bring him in contact with
MuTIel's brother, eventually 10 meet
her again, and the old fame breaks
out. They are engaged and period
of happiness follows. Merivale IS
elected to Parliament and is about 10
be married when the kind OF lie ne leo
in Paris is revealed by a visit from q
French girl with whom ne had spent
four years. The two women are
brought face TO face in MeriVale's room
and in his presence they tel each other
their stories. Ii Ii, the French girl
still loves Merivale. but has no legal
claim upon him. Muriel tells her 10
take him, but Ii Ii, seeing that Merl-
vale has no inclinatiOu to return TO
her. and that. on the other hand, ne
seeks a career in Parliament that ne
could not obtain if she remained al
his side. abandons her purpose and
leaves England.
After the painful revelations Of the
story, the reader is left in almost com
plete doubt as to what the author be
lieves should happen to a scamp ike
Merivale. Up to the time OF tins reNe-
lation. his character has been presumed
TO be Of the best. The difficulties OF
the situation seem 10 be TOO much for
the author. His suggestion in the end
Of the book that Muriel finally consents
secretly 10 marry Merivale on The eve
of his departure for the South African
War, as he has resigned his seat IN
Parliament 10 enlist in the service Of
his country.
There are few other characters in
the book, but they are not essential
If the story succeeds in teaching any
lesson TO the reader, il is Of how
lifetime of misery for three can result
from a brief straying Of one from the
straight and narrow path.
1t is fair to say in this case that Ii
Ii is painted as an exceedingly attTac-
tive woman. Of good character, and
that Muriel is not q girl 10 whom con
vention is everything Marivale had
abandoned all hope Of marrying before
his experiences in Paris. His meeting
with Muriel, whose fate he had not
learned and whose continued devotion
to him he had not suspected, complete
ly alters his views Of life and his in
tentions for the future.
The author has presented al inter-
esting situation and most unkindly re-
fuses to solve it. The death of any of
the three would Of course change the
possibilities of the story at the end,
but it would have left the moral end
about the same. The story is good be-
cause it is simple, straightforward and
the interest never lags. The English
is good, and the sentiments, so far as
they are expressed. are wholesome.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
CARDIGAN.
BY Robert w. Chambers.
(HarDer & Brothers.) I


Cardigan" and THE Backwoods-
man" are very similar The characters
are similar and the time and place are
similar. Michael Cardigan, the hero Of
Mr.. Chambers book, is a most fas-
cinatlng young person. Silver Heels,
the heroine, and he, We're playmates to-
gether in the family of Sir William
Johnson. From being fellQw-play-
mates they became unconsciously low
ers, but the lack of mutual under
standing furnishes a large part of the
heart interest in the story.
Cardigan becomes a soldier in the
Kings army before the Revolution and
serves with great credit. He is a very
Indian himself in scouting through the
woods, and in fighting after the battle
begun. The highwayman, Mount, and
the "Weasle," become his associates in
adventures, although he does not join
them In their criminal practices.
Through Mounts fault he comes very
nearly to meeting his death in Boston
on the scaffold for highway robbery.
The story ends soon after the break
ing out Of the Revolution. In the last
chapter Cardigan and Silver Heels see
the Battle Of Lexington, and then leave
for Albany. Silver Heels is to be we'd
ded. Then we are given to understand
that Cardigan continues as an Ameri-
can soldier
The story Is well presented. The
surroundings and the stage setting are
complete. 1t is a glorious thing to
have novels Of this sort added to
American literature. They explain the
conditions and purposes of the Revo-
lutionary fathers as mere unvarnished
history could not do. They make us
all prouder to be Americans and eager
to keep our ideals strong and high.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
WOODLAND AND MEADOWS
BY w. L. Lincoln Adams. 8
(The Baker & Taylor Coz 8

This book is beautiful and artistic
1t consists of outdoor papers written
on a New Hampshire farm and illus
trated with photographs from nature
by the author and others. The book
is divided into chapters covering the
different seasons as follows: "A New
England Farm" I'm the Sugar Camp,
IAN Early Morning Ride" I'm the
Hay field, Harvesting the Corn IAN
Autumn Walk" THE Golden Hour"
"At Dusk" when it Rains" pho
tographing on the Farm" Winter
Days"
One can easily imagine without see
ing the book what can be done with a
subject of this kind Any one who has
seen New Hampshire in the various
seasons indicated in these chapters will
appreciate this book. Neither the text
nor the pictures are at all disappoint-
ing. The author loves nature and is
skilful in transferring his enthusiasm
to the reader. The spirit he has in
fused into this book is to be found in
New Hampshire. 1t is to be found in
every farming community. 1t ought to
be more common. The beauties of ma
ture and artistic possibilities all around
one are too often ignored by the farm
er and his family. 1t is the distant and
unattainable thing that charms him
and his people. Hezekiah Butterworth
says:
THE New England farmer. who says
that the farm is thing of the past is
himself but a product of the past The
man who has a $4,000 farm in New Eng
land, with $4,000 in the bank, and who
will live within his means, is a mil
lionaire, and his possession and con-
tentment are not unlikely to outlast
that of the millionaire"
These pictures of the farm and farm
life are works of art. They are faith
full to nature.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

This is little book devoted to the
cat. studying the individual specimens
in a sympathetic and interesting way.
There is a chapter devoted TO the
Soul OF q Cat" another to Joy ana
Matilda" 1.-The Torpid and the III
Bred Cat" and the cats relations with
other domestic animals.
The author does not believe in &C
cepting the ordinary maXims about the
character Of cats. There are lots OF
good people who have learned TO love
cats and kittens who will be glad 70
read this intelligent little book.
Let the author himself speak for the
cat:
But the dog accepts his moral code
more entirely from the human being
than the cat does. In this respect the
cat is as the Gentle without the law,
but a law unto himself. There Is sac
rifice Of the lower desires to the high
er when the cat brings friend TO
share her dinner; when she lets dog
take food out Of her mouth; when she
carries on towards her kittens, after
the Immediate needs and desires Of
motherhood have ceased, a course OF
conduct more or less consistently edu-
cative. A cat, the Egyptians said, rea-
soned like a man, and this is true in
that she determines, like man, her
own ends and purposes in life. 1t Is
not appreciation, but admiration. that
the cat demands from man; the dog &C
cepts the purposes of life as given from
above. But he recognizes as clearly as
he recognizes the sanction of the gin
gerbread and the whip, the sanction OF
moral appreciation or disapproval He
claims applause when he has done wei
and when the whip has been endured
he still clings with renewed trust tt
his diviner friend, and seeks by affec
ton to win back approval.
Such animals have wills essentially
as free as our own. but with dimmei
intelligence; their wills are more at thu
mercy of their passions; and the blind
er intelligence leaves them, too, more
at the mercy of spiritual influences
which flow out from us to them. There
is a quick response, as with children
not only to our treatment, but to tn
spirit of our treatment, for they reward
our trust with trust, and answer GU
cheerfulness with .heart and courage
And we, too, war with principalite
and powers, and are helped in the higi
and hidden places by influences un
seen. We call these creatures blin'
and unconscious, but our consciousness
too, Is dim, and our eyes binder L
things divine than theirs to things hu
man; we both move gropingly AM
feebly in a great world and BATH
against the Will that made us and has
mercy on us-"so many men that know
not their right hand from their left
and also much cattle"
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27

Society is the subject Of five sketches
included in this book. The unconscious
comedians Of the story are members Of
society. Their Misunderstanding and
unexpected discoveries are most hu-
morous. For instance, in the first story
we have a young American girl mar
ried to an English lord, while the wild
owed mamma is expected to furnish
$4,000 a year for the support Of her
daughter and daughters husband
though she finds herself an unwelcome
guest when visiting the family in Eng
land to see the newborn grandchild
She is kept out Of sight, she is not
invited to dinner to meet the Prince
Of Wales as she desired, and the lord S
father the duke, is not presented to
her.
The plain, outspoken and wealthy
American widow. whose manners are
those of an outsider to English society,
went over to Paris, happened to find
her daughters father-in-law III of
pneumonia, nursed him back to life
and health and married him. That's
where humor got the best Of patbos
The lonesome widow, who was outside
of society, came back duchess, to the
amazement of her daughter and SON.
in-law.
The book is written in a breezy and
entertaining style. 1t is not so heavy
as the fashionable historical novel; II
Is not too light. 1t is an entertain
ment in itself. The publishers do right
in recommending ii as an excellent an
tidote for "a fit of the blues.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27

occupying a position Of national i'm
portance in the United States, oppos-
ing, as candidate for mayor, the great
est political combination Of profession
al politicians and knayes that the
country has known. Professor Sloane
is himself an authority in historical
matters He is the Seth Low professor
Of history at Columbia. His treatment
Of this subject Is nothing short Of mas
terly. IL is a subject that stirs the in
terest Of every scholar, and enthusiasm
Of every reformer.
The high purpose and awful mistakes
Of the French Revolution represent the
great possibilities of humanity. Every
nation has its great national tragedy
with it's sacrifice Of human life, it's
changes Of national purpose and it's
awful denouement. France had rev.
olution, the United States had her Re
bellion. The similarity and contrast OF
these great tragedies never cease 10 in
terest human minds.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27

This little book is a companion for
DAILY Strength for Daily Needs"
Quiet Hours" and the matter was Sc
lected by Mary Wilder Tileston.
For each day in the year a text from
the Bible, a short verse on the same
subject and a paragraph from some
prose author are given. Each day oc-
cupies a page and each day has a diff
ferent thought or different point of
view. The work shows marvellous ge-
MUS in selection. 1t must have taken
months, if not years, to collect, sort
and edit the material used in this lit
tie book
A conscientious use of this book
would tighten the burden of daily life
and would drive out unwelcome tenants
and make room for better thoughts.
Fortunate is the person who can so ar
range his life and mental habits that
he can steal daily five minutes for
study and thought, 1t seems to some
of us like taking medicine to have
thought furnished in even doses of this
kind. Perhaps. But the medicine has
its value, even if it is generally ac-
counted disagreeable to the taste.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
THE MARRIAGE OF MR..
MERIVALE.
By Cecil Headlam.
&c. P. Putnam's sons.)

This is one of the simplest and best
of recent English novels. The novel
has a two-fold purpose: first, to show
life as it is in ordinary English fam
lilies, today, without the glamor and
nonsense of society or rank to cloud
the personality of the characters, and.
second, the difficulties to be faced by a
man who has to provide for one woman
while marrying another.
Arthur Merivale and Muriel are the
leading characters of the book. At the
close of an exciting cricket game a
youthful friendship eliminates in a
declaration of love. An understanding
has hardly been reached between the
pair when a telegram for Merivale calls
him to the bedside of his dying father
who had been the victim of a fatal ac-
cident. His mother suffers a stroke OF
paralysis that leaves her bedridden for
10 years. Merivale. for reasons which
American readers hardly appreciate,
abandons his plans in life. and his ca
reer at the bar, to remain with his
mother at her remote country place.
He writes Muriel that his prospects
do not warrant a marriage and calmly
gives up his hopes for her. Muriel, on
the other hand, had given Merlvale her