Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1903-05-15


morous and realistic story Of little
Scottish boy, Wee Macgreegor, OF his
father who slyly pets and spoils him,
and of his mother, who adOrs and dis
ciplines hinl--three unfOrgetable peo-
pie who live actually before us in the
authors exquisite and sincere work.
In this story of little Macgreegor, AMI
in his relations to his humble but low
able family and friends, there Is sug-
gestion of "A Window In Thrums,"
which made j. M. Barrie's reputation;
and, on the other hand its humor ana
fun are as entertaining as Helena
Babies" The book has taken England
by Storm. Harper & Bros, Publishers,
New York.
"The Substitute" by Will N. ITar-
ben, author of "Abner Daniel, West.
erfelt," etc. This is good, clean story
OF the fortunes Of George Buckley, an
inhabitant of Northern Georgia. AL
though of humble birth, he has ma.
lively fine character He Is adopted
by an old man who desires to atone
for a past sin by so educating and
training George that he may become
his moral substitute in the eyes of
Providence. Hence the name. Final
interest centers in a love AFFAIR that
has noteworthy effect on the young
mans character, and the end is hap
py one. The story Is full Of the wit,
philosophy, quaint humOr, that made
the author well-known through "Abner
Daniel"
Ethel A. Pennell's sketch, In Chau-
GERS YOUTH" in the May St. Nicholas,
is based on an unfamiliar historic fact.
Chaucer, writer of verse, is well
known to every school girl and boy;
but not every grOwn.up, even OF fair
general information, knows that the
lad Godfrey Chauccr was a favorite
page in the court of King Edward
III, and later q squire to Prince Lionel.
In Chaucer's Youth" tells the pretty
story of. the ready wit and quick cour-
age which advanced young Geoffrey
Chaucer from lady's page to princes
squire.
OF special interest at this time,
when all lovers of music are looking
forward to Adelina PATHS American
visit next autumn, is Hermann Klein's
memories of his friendship with Patti,
published in the May Century. This
chapter of the London critics series
IN Modern Musical Celebrities" gives
glimpses behind the scenes at the first
performance of Gounod's Romeo ct
Juliette," when de Reszke was Romeo
and Patti Juliette; and tells of many
visits to Craig-y-nos.
The Lothrop Publishing Company of
Boston announce Darrell Of the Bless.
ed Isles,'' the third novel by Irving
Bachelor author of ''D'ri and I" and
"Eben Holden" Darrell, the clock
tinker, is new creation. Wit,
philosopher, and man Of mystery.
Learned, strong, kindly, dignified, he
towers like a giant above the people
among whom he lives. In him Mr.
Bachelor has given us character as
new and lovable as Eben Holden, but
cicre fascinating. barrels shop is
IN old nook, where the reader will en-
Joy good companionship and be much
At home 1t is another tale of the
North Country, full of the odor of
wood and field. It's people are whole
some: it is good to know them. Once
in its mystery, the reader will go to
the last word with increasing interest.
Wit, humor, pathos, and high think
ing are in this book.
Professor Simon Newcomb, the dean
the leading article for the May Nc.
Clure's, a most interesting forecast Of
1.-THE End of the World" In the form
of fiction, 1T is nevertheless the as
tronomica! hypothesis on the subject.
ed by Henri Lanos.
The Louisiana Purchase-its rapid
progress and solid importance-by
Charles M. Harvey, seems to be the.
leading and most timely article in
The Worlds Work for May. Among
other important features are George
Hes explanation of how Canadians
are being taught practical agriculture.
The launching, the other day, at
New London, of the Minnesota, the
greatest cargo-carrier af1Oat, gave the
first intimation to many newspaper
readers of James ]. Hills vast plan
for the Pacific Oriental trade. These
great ships-the Minnesota and her
sister ship, the Dakota-are described
in detail by F. N. Stacy in the Review
of Reviews for May.
The May Atlantic commentaries the
coming centenary of Emerson with a
searching and Illuminating article on
Emerson as Religious Influence by
Rev. George A. Gordon, who, although
standing at the opposite pole of reli
gious belief, nevertheless pronounces
Emerson's spirit "a tonic and inspira.
ton of priceless worth and of mex
pressible delight"
Edwin A. Abbey's drawings for
Shakespeare's King John" are repro
duced in tint in the May number of
HarDer'S MapaZine Thew are accom-
panied by critical article by Joseph
Knight. Mr.. Abbey is now at his Eng
lish home in Worcestershire, where he
has one of the most beautiful studios
in the country.
Nineteen stories and articles and
one hundred and twelve illustrations
form the contents Of the May Cosmo
politan j. Henniker Heaton, M. F..
contributes an interesting article on
the British Parcel Post'-particularly
timely in view Of the plan, about
which the entire mercantile world is
showing so wide an interest, to intro
duce into this country the system of
carrying parcels in the mail.
An American tourist who called on
Robert Burns widow, Jean Armour, a
few years after his death, had the au-
dacity to ask her: Can you show me
any relics of the poet?" "Sir," an
swered the old lady, with majestic
dignity: Il am the only relict of
Robert Burns"
The Shah of Persia has the long
tails of his horses dyed crimson for
six inches at their tips. No one else