The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-26

SAYS the story, @Father jumped out OF bed
In his nightshirt, his legs showing white sha
hairy, and struck Mr.. Quental: and when
he pulled his pistol and fred, father got mis-
pistol out Of bed and shot Mr.. Quentai,
who let 70 OF me suddenly and Leaned
against the wall, with blood running down
his clothes, and said good deal OF pad
language and a moment later walked OUT
OF the room rather wabblingly.'
1t was after the war. They we're poor
on the plantation. The tablecloth was
darned when they had the Luttrells 10
dinner. Still, they had chicken. and the
conversation was agreeable and in part
literary. Marian records; by the time
they we're seated at the table father and
Cousin Robert were talking TO the Luttreils
about poetry, and Cousin Susanna was
SAYING to mother under her breath. 30 IA
not TO interrupt them: I put them INTO
salt water to harden, and into lime water
to make them transparent. and as Tor inc
syrup, it's pint for pound, and boil three
hours---' Father said: No, madam; l
don't read these modern rhymesters.
hold that English poetry ended with Byron.
though even he showed decadence from
the art Of Pope MY sister is all for Ten
nyson, Swinburne and Browning. Mr..
Luttrell said. 1t seems to me there's q
new swan Matched every week. according
to her. I never read OF them father
replied, indiyerently. The ladies, you
know, Luttrell, are not severely critical
in their literary judgments. In my day
their favorite was Felicia Hemans. Per-
haps you rank these new versiners beside
her, Miss Meusinal' oh, not beside Mrs
Hemans, I think Miss Melusina sa,d'
laughing q little" Miss Luttrell wrote
romances, and was up to date In her ht-
erary understandings, She knew what
place TO give to Mrs. Hemans.
The plantation was an interesting place
"A the reader will And, and we do not won
der that the heart Of Marian turned 10 IL
after she had been play actress for awhile:
The capable Miss Percy had Instructed
our heroine very thoroughly in her art
before Joplin's Great Combination OF
Southern Stars made that long jump from
New Orleans to the overnight towns in
Texas" Marian once protested against
the expression, 4Bress de Lawd, Moneys
which occurred repeatedly in her part
She was stirred by such an outrage upon
realism. NO negro" she declared, says
Dress de Lawd.' If they wanted to use
an expression Of that kind they'd say,
Bless Gawd, chile But Miss Percy was
quick to put down this dangerous indie
pendence "Oh, come on said she,
YEARLY, What difference does that make?
Perhaps they don't say it, but the authors
put it there, and the publcs used to hear
ing it 80 don't you go trying to be original
That's just where young actors always fall
down. People expect TO see certain parts
done in a certain way. and II you make IN
novations it confuses 'em. Don't you sup
pose know that adventuresses don't al
ways have white cheeks and wear low black
gowns, and grit their teeth and supple their
hips, and amt always doing the cover act.
Why. in real life it would give them dead
away the very first thing; but the public
likes to place you. I tried to be natural
when began, and what did the critics say!
Miss Percy would do well to avoid strain
ing after eccentricities OF Interpretation.
I had the horse sense to see they were
right, and what do they call it now9 Why
the powerful grasp Of her conception OF a
nature stepped in vice, or the subtle human
element of Miss Percy's Interpretation OF a
difficult part Don't you go and be fool
dear"
A lively story, and varied reflection OF
life that we dare say is credible and that
certainly IL amusing. There are passages
In it that are very charming indeed, and
very moving as well-the more moving be-
cause they are so lightly. almost careessly
told. A story that we have found much
pleasure in reading, and that We believe
will please others as well.