Evening journal., 1903-07-29
THE LITERARY WORLD

Among the short stories OF the Au-
gust Century win be David Gray's is
abella.' another "Gallops" story, and
George S. Wasson's "Overhaullng the
Pohticianers." David Gray, whose Cal
lops' Is one OF the recent successful
books of short stories is a young Buff
faio lawyer and eX-newspaper man.
and son OF the poet and journalist
David Gray. isabella" tells how "a
mare of character wrought the con-
fusion of two horsemen and lovers.
"Overhauling the Politicianers" is an
other Of the quaint character studies
which have brought Mr. Wasson's
name into prominence.
The July Red Book keeps up the
high standard that has been established
for the magazine as one Of the
best Of all fiction periodicals. A hum
dred pages OF good stories by clever
writer's. profusely illustrated ana
beautifully printed. offer entlcing at
fractions to the reader. Charles Bel
mont Davis. George Gilbert. William
K. Lighton. William Hamilton Os-
borne, Gerome Chambers. Louise c.
Howe, Frederick Stocl1er. W. Bert
Foster Una Hudson, q. S. Valentine.
Frances Howard, Carroll Watson RAN
kin and Norvell Harrison are among
the contributors. A cover OF classic
design, brilliantly attractive In red and
gold. and eight artistic portraits
printed IN colors. help TO beautify the
number and give IL a distinct identity
among the summer magazines. The
rapid Increase IN the advertising pat-
ronage Of the new magazine keeps pace
with the Improvement In pictorial and
literary quality and mechanical ex-
cellence, SO that altogether. The Red
Book fixes its position in public favor
more firmly each succeeding month.
A curious inquirer into nmorous cus-
toms and traditions has lately set forth
some interesting observations on "the
way OF q man with a maid" in different
rarts of the world. In Japan. Il appears
the affair is carried on with character
istlc delicacy says Harpers Weekly
There, the lover who wishes TO declare
his love throws a bunch of plum flower
buds into the ladys conveyance as she
enters IL on her way to the wedding OF
a friend Should she fasten them to her
gown q signifies that the suitor is acc
ccpted: should she throw them away
however. the fates are against him. In
She Arctic regions a less amiable habit
prevails. The Eskimo lover cares little
for tile usua amenities of civilizations
lie walks bodily into the fair ones
abode. seizes her by the hair or by her
garments OF fur. and drags her away
To his home.
The Hungarian gypsies use cakes as
love letters. A coin is baked into the
hN eaibifat which is then thrown at the
favored lady as she passes by. If she
eats the cake and retains the coin ali
is Nell but IL she should fling back the
sfNerlit would DE fatal to the lovers
hopes. Among the savages of the Ara
bia desert the girl Is approached with
out ceremony while pasturing her
hocks She resists strenuously at
lacking her suitor with sticks and
stones If he succeeds In driving her
into her fathers tent she is his but n
she should resist him. lifelong disgrace
would be his portion.
The August number of The Smart
Set Is the best yet published OF that
mos. successful magazine. The total
OF its contents-in story. poem. essay,
humor-is admirable both for its liter
airy worth and for its interest, while
the variety offers sufficient for the best
taste Of every reader.
Mrs. Burton Harrison contributes the
novelette,. "Sylvia's Husband which
is perhaps the most fascinating piece
of fiction this author has written. The
story Is delightful. absorbing and done
with peculiar charm.
Among the short stories of the num-
her is one by Gertrude Atherton, "rhe
Bell in the Fog" which is a soul-study
of profound power In wholly different
vein is "The Wire-Tappers." by Ar
thur Stringer, stirring, astonishing,
unqiue. Other notable stories are
contributed by James Branch Cabell.
G.. b. Burgin. Ella w. Peattie, Anne
O'Hagan, Prince Vladimir Naniatsly
and Theodosia Garrison.
Brander Matthews contributed an
entertaining and valuable essay en-
titled "Vers de Societe I'm Foreign
Tongues"
The poems OF the issue are such as
to increase our respect for the modern
poets. Among the contributors are
Madison Cawein. Seumas McManus,
Frank Dempster Sherman, John VIM
wood. Guy Wetmore Carryl, Virginia
woodward Cloud and Clinton Scollard.