The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-11

of Oliver Horn" and builded the famous
Race Rock Light house. He has done
other things in both lines as well as in
the field of art. but sufficient for COM
paIison ut present is the light house
and the story.
oliver Horn" coming so timely when
there seems to be a superabundance of
mediocre books, shines out from the
reefs of criticism wherein so many I'M
worthy efforts have been dashed. as
brilliantly as shines the Race Rock
Light. one is 10 guide the mariner to a
safe port The other will be still an
other sturdy, never crumbling block in
the foundation of the literary success of
the author, a success which serves as
beacon light to attract readers to a
book that is sure TO be good. F. Hop
kinson Smith brooks no failures as a
builder of light houses nor as the writer
OF books. Nothing seems to go from
his hand that is not well done
one who has read the blood curdling
improbable and nOnsensical stories OF
the great southwest" or has waded
through the slang and impossibilities of
the Waldorf-Astoria millionares. will
find Mr. Smiths new story a rest cure
for shattered nerves. And why? Be
cause it is written as the author writes
all his charming books and stories. Not
against time, for some certain sum and
with an unrestrained desire to hasten
book and an authors name into shOD
windows. Not any of that in oliver
Horn" The story is not forced. 1t is
as spontaneous as the ecstacies of
''Marse Ollie" and as simple and pleas
ing as the quaint old southern parents
of the hero.
In his story Caleb Vest Mr.. Smith
brought into the CHAPTERS some Of his
experiences as a builder In 'Oliver
Horn" he has let his artist life dominate
the pages. He has taken the hero. a
young man from Kennedy Square to
New York, with a mothers love, the de-
sire to be an artist and with nothing
else but determination. He has chron-
icled the struggles to be met by anyone
in a similar position. His hero unso-
phisticated as to city ways of the north
now and then. as the author SAYS. had
another little prejudice toDDled from
its pedestal, another household tradi-
ton of divers smashed into a thousand
pieces at his feetl This rubbing and
grinding process of man against man.
this seeing with ones own eyes and not
by another's. was fast rounding out
and perfectng the impTessionable CLAW
of our young gentlemans mind
How carefully the author takes his
hero from the dreamy life of the south
to the reality of living in the north for
this was before the war when the south
ern gentleman of the old school led the
ideal life arranged for him by the tradi-
tons of his lOcalit--. The readers mind
is at rest before the first chapter of the
book is read. There is no danger that
there is to be anything improbable. any
thing to jar nor anything to disappoint
The author is content to put in print
his ideas, his beliefs and MS experiences
When he has finished with one idea or
one "Reminiscences there is but a sna ce
to show the reader that the author has
had his fling. There is so much in he
story that can be described only by CALI
ing it charming. The reveries called
forth by the particular acts or situation
of the hero are undoubtedly bits from
life From Mr.. Smiths life They must
be. The trick of the authors pen can
turn no such nleasanrses unless there
be a reason. After speaking of divers
first love ateairs comes the nara grat.h
Sweet girls of the days gone by. what
crimes you have to answer for. At leas;
one of you must remember how nv
thumb was cut .nto Sits over these
same cherry stones. and why tho ends
of your ringlets We're tucked away in a
miniature box in my drawer. with tbs
pressed flowers and signet ring and
the rest Of it. And you could-if Won
Would-recan a waiting promise made