New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-12
TRAGEDY AND FARCE.
NEW MIXTURE BY MARA TWAIN

DoUBLE-BARRELLED DETECTi W. sI I4itcb
By Mark Twain. Illustrated by Lucius Hltch-
cock. 12mo. PIP. 179. Harper d Brothers.
If the title of this latest story of Mark Twalns
is puzzling the story itself is more So Ihoush
we do not look for purpose" in the work of
a humorist-beyond the general purpose OF De
ing amusing-we cannot help wondering what
in the world the author Of this book is driving
at 1t begins upon note of tragedy promises
intensely serious developments, and trails Oft
into something like farce. The conclusion has,
it is true a certain grimly dramatic quality,
but if the transactions Immediately preceding
ii have been introduced by artistic design, as
a means of relaxing the tension, they have not
been handled with discretion. After putting
his reader in grave mood, rousing his sympathy
for woman whose sufferings are bitter in the
extreme Mark Twain asks us to interest our
selves in sheer burlesque. The transition is too
violent With the fullest appreciation OF the
skill with which he has treated each half of his
story separately, nevertheless obliged
to admit that he has fallen between two stools.
The tragic beginning goes dangerously near
the line dividing serious drama from lurid SEN
sationalism. We made acquainted with
woman who is deeply in love with her husband.
The morning after their marriage he informs
her that her father has insulted him and that
he means ito break his heart: to kill him by
inches by visiting humiliation upon her. For
some time she is silent under his torture, so he
resolves upon a conclusive measure. He causes
her to rise at midnight dress. and go with him
from their dwelling.
He led her half a mile from the house and
proceeded lash her tree by the side of
the public road; and succeeded, she screaming
and struggling. He gagged her then, struck her
across the face with his cowhide, and set his
bloodhounds her. They tore the clothes off
her, and she was naked He called the dogs Off
and said:
You will be foundry the passing public
They will be dropping along about three hours
from now, and will spread the news-do you
hear? Goodby. You have seen the last of me"
This is startling enough, but it is as nothing
to what follows. The woman has son, and in
due course discovers that the mark Of the blood
hound is upon him; that he has the scent of
dog, and pick up the trail of human
being with marvellous facility. When he is in
his sixteenth year she tells him her story. lin
all its naked righteousness" and explains to him
how he is to proceed against his father, making
that individuals life burden to him. She is
as implacable the wicked woman in dime
novel; and. though the boy has some tenderness
of heart he agrees to carry out her wishes. He
embarks upon campaign which becomes dis
tinctly interesting. He strikes the first blow
and strikes il at the wrong man, We may re-
mark in passing that the necessity of the gift
is not made very clear; but the author makes
fairly effective use of it in the second part of
his book, wherein the young hunter is made to
pit his talent against that of no less parsonage
than Mr.. Sherlock Holmes Before he rings the
curtain down, Mark Twain enjoys himself
sketching a rough Western mining camp. and
exposing, in that favorable environment, the
fallibility of the great detective; the thrill of
sudden death is blended with screaming alb
surdity. The methods of Sherlock Holmes are
satirized in words attributed to of the
miners who imagines the detective confronted
by Mrs. Hogan, whose child has just been lost
Here is Ferguson's improvisation. the replies
being supplied by of his fellow miners:
Madam if you please-attention-d not let
your mind wander. Now. then-sex of the
child?
Female your honor"
'Um-female. Very good, very good Age?"
Turned six, your honor
"Um-young, weak-two miles. WEAKNESS
will overtake il then. 1t will sink down and
sleep. We shall find il two miles away, or less.
Teeth?'
Five, your honor and one a-comng.'
Very good. very good. very good indeed.
:. Stockings madam? Shoes?"
Yes, your honor-both."
Yarn, perhaps? Morocco
Yarn, your honor, and kip
'Um-kip. This complexities the matter. How
ever, let 1t COVE shall manage Religion
catholic. your honor
very good. Snip bit from the bed blan-
ket, please. All, thanks. Part wool-foreign make
very We'll a snip from some garment of the
child S. please. Thanks. Cotton. Shows wear
An excellent clew. excellent Pass me pellet
OF the fioor dirt, if you'll be kind Thanks,
many thanks. An admirable. admirable. Now
we know where are. think. You see. boys.