The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-19
NEW BOOKS.
4 tragedy by IDr. Brad,

We have n problem story OF direful |
,.,,edv in A Doctor OF Philosophy" by |
,.,,s Townsend Brady Charles Scribner's
sans, We had not expected such q story
from, Dr. Rradv's nimble and inspiring pen.
,Ia does rot kill heroine OF blight hero
o.n rlle When We made the acquaintance
- Alicia Chalden here we felt ourselves
h, have n warrant in believing that she
was made for joy, though she had indeed
beer engaged for two years in writing
resis upon the integral equality of the
LACK and white races. When Hulsewood
Hall burned down, the Oldest dormtorv
IN the admirable school where she was
inst finishing profound education, the
first words she said to young DR.. William
Penn Whvot who bore her in the nick of
time from a vortex of smoke and flame,
ver, "Mvthesis" We will add al once,
IA relieve the reader from an uncomfortable
.uspensn, that DR.. Whyot dashed back
into the flames and saved the thesis, SINCE
inc his handsome Van Dyke beard dread
fully in the operation,
Now here was a girl who was full of
philosophy if ever girl was. She was
doctor of it, the doctor OF the title. She
was prepared to persuade the world that
a
ecrvitudc was nothing against him. The
college hall rang with applause" when
She read her thesis. Men and women
stood up and clappeL and clapped again
and again" They were persuaded by her.
Of course, she herself was persuaded. The
thesis was, by reason Of its truth, to her
sacred thing. And yet Alicia this Doctor
If Philosophy, summd cum ldude and author
If the thesis, was unable to support the
revelation when she learned that her mother
was an octoroon.
She had a right to live and be happy,
one would think. She was very beautiful,
and very rich. Her father owned half
Philadelphia and was the political and
financial dictator of that considerable
city. He stood ready to dover her with
5000 100000. 1t was the felicity of her
lover to behold her bare foot when he
bore her from the flames Of Hulsewood
Hall She had dislocated her ankle. The
story says: He drew his penknife from his
pocket, in default of other instrument
lifted the little foot skilfully slit the girls
stocking, and laid bare her ankle A few
manipuations. which bespoke assurance
and ability, apprised him what was the
trouble. 1t was forward dislocation Of
the ankle. The absence Of crepitation az
sured him that the ankle was not broken.
He seized the ankle in his strong, skilled
hands, worked over it for moment, and
finally forced the bones back into place.
His instincts and observations, since he
had discovered the accident, had been en-
tirely impersonal and scientific, he had
handled her with the impassivity of his
profession. Not until he had completed
the task did he notice the beauty of the
loot and ankle in his hand" He recalled
it often afterward; It was a shining memory.
She should have been happy, we say
with her beauty and her riches and her
over who was of the most distinguished
q Philadelphia families. Besides, there
was the matter considered in the thesis
We read: There was streak of her fathers
business capacity and tenaoity OF purpose
in Alicia, and all the moments not occupied
with her lover she devoted to the negro
Her -lover had his doubts of her ability really
to live up to the thesis" He surprised hel
once with the question: Would you marry
black man, Alicia'' ~Ofcourse notl" she re-
0bied and she could not repress shudder
y Alas! there came a time when the thesis
was nowhere, as the reader may learn or
rage 24S. There Is here set forth an inter
view between Alicia and the Rev. Mr.
Olney, who was himself one-sixteentl
black. The knowledge of her mother
complexion had just flashed upon her
ITS the truth" she cried out to Mr. Olney
81 am even as you-tainted Black Black
Ny God! My God!" She had it out Will
her father. That magnate, ordinarily g,
adamantine, was quite broken up, com
win tal univ unl hty hxsr ia,
rage and scorn. Don't shrink away from
me' he implored "You are all have
I've won the world, I can buy what please
but there isn't single thing on earth tina
loves me, unless you will forgive me, Thin
OF me. / was horribly treated l wa
mad. l was stricken in everything tina
men hold most dear. | was a brute. al
animal. a iend devil, call me what yo
will. But now ! am different ! ar
ashamed. Alicia, I'm your father. hav
lot been good to you, but / will make u
10 YOU now. / love you. You don't kno,
low rich l am, how able ! am. | want t
make PREPARATION. You wouldn't realiz
if told you, but I've have money enoug
to buy anything under heaven
This was the man of whom the stor
,ays that he was 80 strong that he produce
sensation of weakness in those who az
preached him, and that like William tn
Silent, he was tranquil in the midst c
storms Alicia was inexora BILE. II hate yol
| loathe you'll" she said Il do not kno'
where | get the power to feel this way
lily mother was an ex-slave, my fathe
Is liar, brute, a blackguard! VIII
should | care2' She wrote to Dr. Whyo
Il am a black woman. This ends it all
Then she went away to Mr.. Olney an
married him out of hand. He offered I
kiss her. but was not permitted. ~
Alicia's eyes the lips that approached he
cheek, though as finely out AZ her owl
suddenly took on the semblance Of Il
coarse. thick lips of the negro. The bacl
ness of the man, unseen, smote her. Wit
a low cry the girl shrank back. Don't
she whispered. Not now, wait"
The unhappy man did as he was bidde
At her request he left her alone to thir
out the situation. She thought until h,
mind gave way. The story says: "Alic
was mad at last. That throne had bee
vacated Then the end-the final stutii
cation of the thesis. "On the desk by h,
side lay an ancient Spanish dagger of ma
vellous workmanship. Olney used il for