The San Francisco call., 1904-10-23

cause Of the many-syllabled words
employed. but the illustrations are
amusing enough to compensate for this
defect.
Lee q Shepard Of Boston have
brought out great number OF books
which deserve special mention because
OF their uniform high grade of excel
lence. Standard fiction for bows and
girls by writer's of accepted merit are
offered in attractive binding and with
adequate illustrations at the net price
of 81 25-very good bargains for buy
ers of Christmas books
Edward Stratemeyer, a writer who
has come to take place with Kirk Nun
roe as the author of boys books. pro
duces two this season: ION the Trail Of
Pontiac" and Larry the Wanderer''
The first named volume tells of times
in our country Immediately after the
war with France for the possession
of Canada In those Gays there was
much unrest and a keen spirit of rival
~ among the French, the English and
the Indians on the frontier
The plot turns upon the establishing
Of a trading post upon the Ohio River.
and many hunting scenes and visits
to Indian villages are depicted The
historical setting Of the tale is based
upon facts, and the INDIANS are shown
as they actually were-neither wholly
good nor wholly bad, and the same
may be said of the hunters, trappers
and traders. A fight with the Indians
and the French in a snowstOrm is es-
pecially realistic and the entire book
carries with it the atmosphere Of colo
nial times.
The second story is a plain tale of
everyday life, written especially for
boys and girls who do not care par
ticularly for stories with a historical
or geographical background. Larry is
a youth who has been knocked around
from pillar to post for a number Of
years. He knows nothing about him
self, where he came from, or where he
belongs. He is bit rough in his ways.
but beneath his rude exterior is a heart
of gold. BY the merest accident he
becomes a boatboy. and earns his liv-
ing by catching fish. At the lake he
meets people who have had much to
do with his past, and have likewise
much to do with his future: and the
unraveling of the curious mystery
which surrounds the lads identity
makes reading that no young folks will
care to miss. A story of good moral
tone, and quite out of the ordinary. (sO.
In "Stories of Brave Old Times"
Helen NJ Cleveland has followed I'D
initial successes in The Youths Com
panion by a series of tales concerned
with the romance of history in the
days of the American Revolution.
Though this has been done before. few
have brought to a work primarily for
Juvenile reading the graphic power OF
portrayal that Miss Cleveland exhibits.
Her book is good reading for those not
reckoned as children.
The Young Vigilantes." by Samuel
Adams Drake, is a book that should
have especial appeal to San Francisco
boy readers. for it narrates some Of the
most exciting incidents in the history OF
the city and State at large. The story
embraces the old-time voyage across
the isthmus, gold-diggiIg scenes In
California and incidents in the early
days of our own city. Though not
paragon of historical exactness. Colonel
brakes book may be strongly COM
mended.
Among Lee & Shepard's juveniles for
girls particular mention may be made
of four. THE Tanning Of Betty" by
G. w. Picknell, relates the amusing
incidents surrounding the breaking OF
a typical tomboy into a perfect young
lady-very readable even for older Deo-
pie. Annie NJ. Barnes writes "A Lass
of Dorchester" a colonial tale with q
thrilling climax. "An Honor Girl" By
Bertha G. Davidson. is. as the title in
dicates, q school tale. somewhat out
of the ordinary. 'eRandy's Good
Times" by Amy Brooks. continues the
fortunes OF the heroine In the popular
juvenile, ''Randy's Summer"
A book which must prove most help
full to mothers and children who ind
garden life fascinating Is Louise Klein
Miller's "Chfldren's Gardens" In this
little manual, plentifully illustrated.
the author seeks to point out the best
way for young folks to plant and tend
a garden plat or vegetable patch by
giving a comprehensive glossary OF the
most effective wild and cultivated
plants and shrubs. advising uDon fer
tilizers and cultivation. and citing
cures for the eradication of insect pests
Cooperative gardening as q part OF
school work occupies a share OF the
authors attention. A simple classic
cation Of trees and Towering plants
makes a valuable index.
Cd. Appleton & Co., New York; Illus
trated.)
NOTES