The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-04-23

nearly SO wide a range of subjects. or ap-
peal so much to general interests. as the
series now printed
The letters speak for themselves and It
does not seem likely that anyone after
reading them, will question the desirable
ity Of their publication.
FICTION.
The Grafters'' Is the title of Francis
Lynde's new book. published by the
Bobbs-Merrili Company. Do not be
alarmed, however. It is not a wild diatribe
against St. Louis corruption or against
the old lobby at Jefferson City. 1t is a
Western story. Of business and politics.
possesses a plot interesting enough. n
a good measure of spirited action. The
rae are pretty well drawn The
scenes are excellently well drawn The
story smacks of locality. has an effective
atmosphere" Qf hat trite something is
not q detriment). Mr.. Lynde is a good
deal of q stylist In fact, sometimes you
wish he were less of one. for he writes SO
well now and then as to betray artificial
ity. The art which %conceals art that
which doesn't obtrude itself. Lynde.
though, is 'virile and vigorous" as his
publishers claim for him. and with more
experience will. or should. overcome the
tendency to write too well. or too fine"
Straining for effects is not a bad fault
when there is plenty OF sincerity behind
the effort. The only way to tell a story
Is to try hard. II one tries too hard. he
Is less to be censured than the writer who
doesn't try hard enough and who. In a
sense. cheats the reader 1.-THE Grafters'
is a story above the average, commend
able enough.
Tho Merry Anne" by Samuel Merwin.
Is a breezy story Of the manly young cap
tain of q lumber schooner on the Great
Lakes.
The adventurous and exciting incidents
Of Mr.. Merwin's lively narrative arise
from the efforts of an unusual sort OF
smuggier to involve Captain Dick Qor his
own good in illegal trading. In Whisky
crude philosophy there are wide
distractions between right and legality. He
Is so clever and shrewd that his success
makes the United States Revenue Service
the laughing stock Of the Michigan shore
from Mackinaw Straits to Chicago. But
he should not have meddled in Dicks af-
fairs when jealousy stood ready to mag
Nifty the revenue agents suspicious. Dick.
with his liberty. his boat and his sweet
heart to lose, puts all his experience and
his knowledge Of the lakes into helping in
the officers exciting chase after this I'M
identified "Whisky Jim"
1t Is a piece OF fiction pure and simple,
with q sweet and fresh love affair at the
basis of much of its action.
Mr.. Thomas Fogarty has made nearly
thirty drawings and decorations for The
book which have caught its spirit re-
markedly well. Published by the Mac
millans.
Mary e Waller has written a new
story. "The Wood Carver Of 'Lympus."
which portrays a strong and original
character. Hugh Armstrong. a Vermont
er, used to a busy out-of-door life. In fell
ing a tree. meets with an accident and
loses tho use Of his limbs. At first he
finds It impossible to adjust himself to
his shut-in life, but a friend suggests
wood-carving to him.. Through work and
love a great change comes over him, and
the author has told in a convincing way
of his salvation. There are one or two
love affairs of minor Importance, and Of
some interest. and the o of the book
is bright and cheerful. 1t Is a story some
what removed from the usual run. Pub
lished by Little. Brown 4 Co.