New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-19

In The Barrier the problem which the author
sets for himself is that presented by the efforts
of a successful local politician and franchise
manipulation to break into" the exclusive So
cial circle of one Of the smaller New England
cities. He is fortunate in finding ally in
beautiful and high spirited girl who despiscs
the general incapacity and Indifference of the
men in her own set and who turns to him from
the one capable man of them all, whom Ellis,
the boss, has temporarily voted out of the presi-
dency of the street railway combination and
turned down" politically. Judith Blanchard is
the type Of woman who asrires to leadership
and is dazzled by success. Ellis is clever enough
to see his opportunity. and hatters her by con-
sultng her in regard 10 his plans for the city
and by deferring to her judgment in matters
of purely personal concern Designing at first.
by playing her vanity, to use her interest
merely to further his social ambitions, he too,
falls in love with her and proves as unscrupu-
lous in his methods here as in his poIitico- bust
ness affairs Meanwhile George Mather, the
neglected sutton, plays waiting game.
The character drawing in the book is clearly
and cIeverIy done. Mr.. French understands his
types. He dfferentiates them well. The reader
knows from the first that not even the social
influence of Judith Blanchard can ever open
way for the political trckster into the charmed,
if not altogether charming, circle of provincial
aristocracy. Narrow, dull. its good breeding and
an lev veneer Of New England culture are its
ONLY redeeming features. But ii is the best that
the place affords as best is reckoned socially.
The story moves TO an inevitable conclusion,
though through devious ways. In one point the
author nearly makes a failure. Interesting as
his heroine is as a study. she is not altogether
lovable-
1.-THE Price of Youth" is the story Of a sum-
mer infatuation. young man of literary as
pirations and good family, but little means is
ordered by his physician to take three months
holiday on the Jersey coast. For the sake Oh
cbeanness he goes to a small and unattractive
inn where he would never have stayed a second
night had not an accident confined him to the
house long enough for him to become interested
In the landlords daughter. Fan Tasker Is
fascinating and battling character. especially
to a Young man of literary aspirations Edu-
Gated at a good boarding school. and then
brought back to run the domestic end Of what
Is little better than a roadhouse, her soul is in
constant revolt against socially impossible sur
roundings. Banned by the neighbors FOR her
fathers notorious conduct she takes her re-
venge by shocking them on her own account by
her innocent enough, but too reckless, actions.
Far from admirable, King nevertheless loves
her If he doesn't marry her in the end, 1T IS
logical enough, ana, doubtless, better LOT Doth
of them even for Fan. who loves him too well
to let him do it, She recognizes that they be-
long to different worlds, and. looking into the
future is strong enough to resist her first i'm
pulses The story is brightly written and is
often genuinely amusing despite the serious
undarcurIent. The local types are cleverly de-
picted The play of light and shade is deity
handled The ending, unconventional as it is,
10 too convincing to be disappointing. Miss
Williams sees life as it is. and is not afraid to