The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-23
SOME OF THE new BOOKS



This is novel of California life by Mrs.
Fremont Older and for a first book it sur
passes in literary style and finish the initial
work of many other authors whose names
have been heralded as coming celebrities.
The title is somewhat misleading. 1t does
not deal in sociology enough to class ii with
sociological works. Indeed, it is love ro-
nance with labor and aristocracy as set
ting for the scenes. Mrs Older has chosen
the days of Denis Kearney, the sandlot
orator. who aroused San Francisco against
the Chinese, as the time of her romance.
There are three characters-Paul Stryne,
leader of the workingmen Denis Kearney
under another name) Ruspoli, an Italian
prince of the house of Savoy, and Theo-
dosia Payton, daughter of millionaire.
who seems to love both the Socialist and
the prince, but who has difficulty in de-
Gliding which she will accept. She first
meets Stryne when he Is at the head of
mob that has invaded Mob hill and is de-
nouncing her father and other rich people
in front of her residence. She is impressed
with Stryne's earnestness and later is car
ried away with his enthusiasm. The prince
calls frequently at the Peyton home and
makes love in fervent, eloquent phrasing.
She at first refuses his offer of marriage,
her feelings straying toward Stryne, VINO
exerts something OF hypnotic influence
over her. While she is in this undecided
mood Stryne induces her to go with MIN
to the Cliff House. and there amid storm
compels her to promise to fly to South
America with him In the meantime the
prince pushes his suit, but offends Theo-
dosa and is dismissed. The girl then goes
to the country, notifying Stryne of her hid
ing place. The prince brides maid, learns
the whereabouts of Theodosia and travels
the same route taken by Stryne; Iney
meet. Stryne thinks the girl has insulted
him by asking him to visit her retreat with
the prince and does not stop to see her.
The prince makes the most OF his oppor-
trothed. "A duel follows. The prince Is
sorely wounded Stryne flies and the
''sandlotters" lose their leader Theodosia
nurses the prince back to life, marries him
after a royal decree has been obtained and
becomes favorite in court circles. Years
afterward riots take place at Rome ana the
leader is shot down in front Of the princes
palace. The leader is Stryne. The book
is full of dramatic situations. Here are
few sentences from the opening chapter
1.-The Chinese Must Co.:
traordinary in San Francisco because
everything was extraordinary. The RAIN
bows pot of gold was found on Twin peaks.
1t was quite possible. Aladdins lantern
could be had for the asking. No one
doubted it. Jacks bean stalk had grown
to the sky. Stars might be plucked by
more logical? Foot passengers were warned
against stubbing their toes; there was dan
ger of falling upon Comstock quartz pro-
jectng from the ground. Inc gracious god
dess Fortuna dwelt on Tamalpais. Life was
too brief and merry TO Chamber up the SIDES
of the purple mountain. Let Koruna ner-
self ascend-there were other goddesses 10
WOO San Francisco was drunk, denrlous
city The population was divided into two
classes, millionaires and those who hoped
.Tbere is no hunger when thousands feast
upon hope. A prospective owner OF bonan-
"a could not make himself absurd by com.
plaining of no breakfast. Amidst the sweet
and smell of the workshop laborers con-
sidered the cut of their iackeys livery.
The workingman was never more pros
porous The workingman was never more
discontented He had seen his companions
close their eyes and open their HANDS, d.
rectly the tail of a comet showered pre-
cious stones These men is, ga'nereu fron'
toll spoke like gentlemen, and were gentle-
men. Presently the workingman believed
something wrong when Seal ROCKS dlo not
nourish roses, and straWDerries relaseu u
thrive on sand lots
I'm the middle of the seventies came
cataclysm that changed the surface OF san
Francisco. A great bank failed. That such
an event could occur was shock to the
hope of the city. 1t was hard world OF
reality after all. One could be sad In Cali
formal as we'll as in the East, south, or
across the seas from whence these adven-
turers came Even those who had not lost
by the failure of the bank felt hungry after
the occurrence.
Another catastrophe befell the city. Gold
had been gushing from the veins of the
gigantic Mazeppa NINE 1t was strange
that none recognized the arterial blood
flooding the State. The Mazeppa was dead
Some dreamer had believed that still an
other heart of treasure might be found In
this mine of Ophir. At one time quite
probable. now it was as remote as the rain
bows base or Aladdins lamp.
1.-The peach-blossom hue left the air. Joy,
youth hope ambition persisted. Men,
women and children were hungry. They
were even reduced to wishing that two
bits might be changed into nickels Many
Iaboring men were idle. The middle classes
felt the pinch of need. The millionaires
went back TO the bar or sluice-box. To
this day their descendants boast Of the
sums their grandfathers lost. and thus
alleviate their present poverty. There are
still extant the deserted foundations of
vast buildings begun at that period, but
never finished. Nickels were seen in cur
rency. Values assumed rational form. The
boom had burst. 1t was not until the
laborer realized that. while he had allowed
himself to become intoxicated by the aroma
of his harvest thousands of yellow, insight
6cant worms had curled into the blossoms
and destroyed them before the fruit came.
These were the Cinnamon"
The book is published by the Funk &