Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

the autumn would heal Stevenson's lungs.
But the cold became too keen for endurance
and they decided 20 journey to the Pacific
Islands, where the author could at least
live in comfort, even ,aJUgh tie physicians
did not recommend that climate as highly
as the colder one. Wherever the party
went Mrs. Margaret Stevenson wrote long
letters home. chiefly to her sister. narratiDg
their experiences in vein of quaint hurnor
~ the source of some OF Roberts mastery
prose style In The eu4aHg, of course.
much has been eliminated from the letters.
to bring them into readable compass, but
they retain their freshness of expression
and their reflection of beautiful charac-
ter, such as any udmireT of Stevenson
would lie likely to conceive his mother to
have been. Mrs. Stevenson returned to Scot
land shortly after her sons death, and in
May. 1897. she succunbed to pneumonia
and passed away. rejoicing in the thought
of a reunion with Robert. whose name was
the last word uttered by her
JOHNNY; Memory of Royheod. BY E. o. Laugh
lin. Illustrated by VIII Vpwter. indianapolis:
The Bobhs-Mcrrill Company.
There was nothing particularly dfstin-
gushing about John Wrinkle. He was just
such a boy az one will find at any country
school house miscellaneous but honest sturdy
and s:rai Shtforward. fun-loving and at
times b0sterous. In short. type. And he
grew up typically finally went to the city
after his mother died and made his way
without injury from the evil influences of
the big place. and when he returned to the
farm he found his heart life was dawning
and later 1t developed and he became the
father of a new Johnny Wrinkle. And that
Is all there is to the story. But in the tell
ing the reader is transported to the farm
the school house, to the woods and sees
and hcIrs and tastes and touches all
those dement's which contribute To the en-
vtronment of a country boy. With unusual
skill, although with little subtlety. the tale
is told, plainly. humorously. and on occa-
sion pathetically. 1t is story to awaken
old memories
TIE MYSTERY OF MURRAY DAVENPORT; A
Story OF New York at the Present Day. BY
Robert Nelson stephens author of philip
WinwoOI." etc. Illustrated by H. G. Edwar $.
Boston L. G. Page & Co. Washington; VII
liam Balldntyne & Sons.
Just whether 1t is possible for a man to
do as did Murray Davenport will remain
question, perhaps the real mystery of this
story. The author in his narrative quotes
an eminent authority OF such matters to the
effect that it was utterly impossible But
the reader knows that before this man
sits the living illustration of the fictional
possibility of complete decentralization
The author does not attempt labori-
ously to Justify his theory. He offers the
story as it stands leaving Murray Daven-
port finally to give his own account of how,
after falling mserably at everything he
undertook. he deliberately changes his loen-
tity and outward appearance mere Is
nothing supernatural about the book. Mur-
ray Davenport uses surgical means to the
end OF tine physical transformation, while
lie shifts his mental plane by the deliberate
exercise of will power. 1t makes an enter
tanning. suggestive novel, the moral OF
which might probably be studied by every
person who feels down on his luck 1t
teaches that we are truly masters or our
fates, and that there is no such thing as
failure for the fellow who shuts his teeth
tight and determines to succeed. The au-
thor. however, does not preach.
Overton. author OF Anne Carmel" etc. Illus
trations by Frances d. Jones. New York: The
Macmillan Company. Washtngton: Brentanos
This story appeared originally as a serial
in the Youths Companion. but that fact
does not detract from its power to enter
tain adult readers. while it is a charming
Offering to the younger folks. 1t tells of
the young daughter of army officer
stationed at a northwestern post. who ven
lures to use her own judgment in crisis
calling for prompt action. In consequence,
chain of circumstances is established |
which comes near TO causing serious trou-
BILE for several people. The story affords
vivid picture of life on frontier army post.
ard introduces that sturdy hero in uniform.
Private Timothy Hagge~ty, who knew so
admirably how TO hold has tongue and to
suffer for another.
BOYS SECOND BOOK OF INVENTIONS BY Ray
Stannari Baker. author OF .'foys' Book of In
yentiOns Seen in Germany" Illustrated. New
York Mcclure, Phillips Co Washington:
Woodward Il I.othrop
One of the wonders of the time is that
the youngsters are able to keep pace with
their elders in following the course of
science it solves the riddles of the uni
verse and adds to the facilities of man.
There is today abstruSe proposition be
fore the scientific world which is not fairly
well understood by the boys while the lads
keep themselves we'll acquainted with the
progress of the inventors. This is because
OF the disposition Of most teachers in the
schools to discuss the news OF the scen-
tiflc world with their pupils. and also be-
cause of the enterprise OF pu ] shers in
Offering books and IN gazi.e arti-
Giles and newspaper stories concerning the
scientific achievements which the boys are
able to read intellgently. Mr.. Bakers
first book Of inventions. written especially
for the boys. was a marked success. His
second book of the same general character
contains chapters of such interest that
probably the boys will nave to compete
with their fathers Tor d chance at its
pages. 1t discusses and explains radium.
flying machines the earthquake measurer,
electrical furnaces. the solar motor. the
work OF he food scientist, wireless telegra-
ply and the newest electric light. while a
chapter Is devoted TO the dangerous and
skillful work of the 'sea-builders'' or con-
structors of lighthouses. Excellent Illus
trations add to the value of the text.
JOURNEYS TO THE PLANET MARS; Or. Our
Mission to Ento. Bv Sara Weiss, author of
STORY OF Declmon Huydas." New York: The
Bradford Press.
This book offers a puzzle to the reader.
Does it attempt to divert by presenting a
purely and frankly fictitious account of Ger
tain suppositltious talks between a me-
dunn and her satellites? Or does it tran
scribe the serious thoughts of a believer In
iHterplanetary communication through the
agency of a temporarily disemboGied spirit?
Whatever the fact, there are parts of the
book quite entertaining. while other parts
are duh to the point of distraction. If Mars
is what is here pictured II is not a bad sort
OF place But ii would have aided the i'm
agination of the reader If the spirit artist
had drawn the pictures of other things
Marian than flowers.
OPTIMISM; an Essay. BY Helen Keller author
OF The Story of NY Life With Portrait
New York; Il. Y. Crowell II Co.