The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-18

in The hero OF this story does not appear
upon the scene until the eleventh chapter
He was born on the eve Of the civil war.
son of Confederate officer, who fought
through the eventful four years on the stan
of General Lee. Afterward, determining that
he would not be RECONSTRUCTED" rebel, he
went to Mexico and was commissioned as
general by Juarez to fight against the French
invaders. In 1870 he returned to New Or
leans and then went to Virginia to visit his
son Harold, who had been cared for by the
wife of General Preston, Confederate gen
eral. This boy was Harold De Lacey. and
his father took him back to live with him
in Mexico. Then he went to West Point ana
proved his manhood by whipping the biggest
bully in the academy, and was expelled on
the charge OF hazing: went west and en-
listed as a private under an assumed name
and INDUCED his love of war and adventure
in fierce Indian warfare and won distinc-
ton as an Indian fighter. Thereafter, on nS
pages out of Isl in the book, is packed tbs
really eyentful life Of this brave adventurous
spirit. The assumed name gave him trouble,
but he extricated himself and, between thrill
ing adventures and misunderstanding. and
more lighting in the Cuban war, he had =
rather tempestuous time, and the reader will
be pleased to learn how he finally reached
the quiet haven of sweet woman's love.
The author has taken too much space to get
Harold de Lacey, and introduced more char
acters than he could conveniently handle.
Those Black Diamond Men. A Tale OF
the Anthrax Valley. BY VIM. F. Glib
bons. Chicago: Fleming H. Reyell com.
sI.5s '' w. -
This book reflects the life and experiences
of the miners in the anthracite region. At
least the author vouches FOR the correctness
IT of fnra
and employers, the employees and the hard
conditions under which they live. The things
recorded, he says, happen every day and they
probably do, for his statements are corrobor-
ated by the formal reports of reliable in-
vestigators. He has been among the mining
people for many years. The story begins with
strike and the .gentlemen:s agreement"
which obliged the rich operators to refuse to
arbitrate the question at issue between them
and the labor union The details OF tho
miners life under the stress OF strike az
well as when no strike Is on, are given in
honest colors and no dilution OF language.
The single chapter. "Suiphuring of Sunder-
land Red shows the strong and vivid style
of the author, as be depicts the miners fight
ing fire in mine and the genuine heroism
of miners facing death to stay the sco,irge Of
flame and rescue their imprisoned co-workers-
Pathetic are such chapters as THE Scab Slate
Picker and ''The School in Graham's Patch"
The author does not cover the faults OF the
miners He shows that, having lived much
in darkness, they do not generally take broad
and cheerful views of life. To them life il
more a bitter struggle than it is to most other
classes OF labor. Kindly men and women
minister to these people in the name OF
Christ and the story of the brotherly kind
nesses of the Salvation Army and the other
religious people of Anthrax. show that real.
tangible and sorely needed help is given for
the love of Christ and is appreciated. It
is shown in this book what serious part the
saloon plays in the demolition of the miners
moral character.