The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-04
Peggy O'NenI.

Peggy O'Neal beautiful, reckless, harum-
scarum Peggy, whom Washingtonians OF
Jackson's day knew as the wife of Secre-
tary Eaton, of the Cabinet. is the charm
ing heroine of Alfred Henry Lewis's story
of that name. AS a social storm renter
Washington, with its infinitely complex
questions of precedence and its peculiar
homogeneity. has always been interesting
from the almost royal courts of Washing
ton. Madison and the Adamses down to
the more democratic customs of the pres
ent day. 1t is traditionary, this story Of
the brave fight made by Peggy ONeal, the
daughter of a publican, for recognition by
the proud ladies of the government circle.
and it is entertainingly told by Mr.. Lewis.
If all accounts be true Peggy was sadly
wanting In the commonest discretion; yet
nothing evil could ever be truthfully placed
at her door, Young. unable even
matron and the wife of a staid, poky MEM
Der of the Cabinet to freeze her natural
vivacity into icy conventionality, peggy
ONeal shocked the Pharisees, male and
female, reducing them TO vulgar intrigue TO
accomplish her downfall. Vile stories were
told about the girl, coarse insinuatfons
were set afioat, scandalous gossip was rife;
Peggy had stanch defender in that man
of iron, Andrew Jackson. Through jack
sons indomitable will. his personal infiu-
overcame her enemies established herself
as dictator of Washington society and was
able to slay the snake of scandal that had
lain In wait ready to strike a death blow.
All this is told with faithful attention 10
detail by Mr.. Lewis, always clever
writer, but who has surpassed any OF his
previous efforts in Peggy o Neal.
major the book would lose much of Its
charm. The major, a man near Jackson's
own age, a steady, slow-witted man, but
hearted and clean-minded, first enters into
the defense of the girl more as the familiar
OF jackson than from personal motives
Peggy to him is a sweet child. Childless
himself, he regards her as a daughter, a
willful, capricious indiscreet daughter; one
to be loved and honored absolutely, but still
to be guarded against the results of her own
turns to the major much as she would have
done to her father. To him she runs with
her pitiful little tales Of Sights, lies, mali
cious gossip. The major is growing DID, but
not too old TO love beautiful, sweet woman
with all a young mans fire. Peggy begins
to have more than daughters feeling for
heads together and fights like paladin for
her honor. The inevitable is developed with
pretty skill by Mr.. Lewis. Peggy loves and
does not know it. Secretary Eaton, the hus-
band in the case, occupies rather a misty
position; one does not feel attracted to the
man VINO lets OtneTS uSnt MS wire 8 DdttleS,
who gives presents of silk and lace, but
whose heart seems to be made of glass.
| The outcome is rather unusual President
Jackson cuts the Gordian knot by sending
Eaton to Florida as governor. Before the
cations leave Peggy sees her lover in a
way that is peculiarly her own. Heart
aches follow, but honor is preserved. 1t is
blood 1t saves itself by Intrinsic merit
| from the stigma, historical novel,"
Few characters of American history are
| better known than Jackson. Peggy
| ONeaP' does not, perhaps, give any addi-
| tional insight into his character but ii re-
lates dramatic incidents of the qualification
| days with power One cannot fail to know
| Jackson after reading the book. OF nullif-
cation and yackson's attitude. the author
| says in preface: This record is worth
| while, l think, for ii exhibits the growth
| of favor for the Union within the generals
breast; and to be corollary thereunto, his
wrath against States rights as a doctrine
| together with a hatred of Calhoun, its
champion; and what other folk were found
/ to uphold the Vice Presidents hands ir
| those i'll courses of notification and sep
| aration and secession he laid down for
| national misguidance." A Characterization
of jackson is interesting: THE general
was sentimentalst; justice and to do right
! were with him instincts and came not as
grist ground in the mills of calculated sell
| fishness and reason. Scotch-Irish he was
| In his strain; but more Irish than the Irish
and more Scotch than the Scotch, he in q
| manner wonderful could in the same mo-
ment be cool and warm, and cautious and
| headstrong, and prudent and reckless, an6
| close and frank-at once Fabius and g
| Scipio''
| Characters are well drawn in the book
| that of Mordecai Noah, the generals
The illustrations, in color, are by Henry
HUT Drexel Riddle philadelnhia