The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31

-
kestly % find the ultimate pur-
~ pose IN Robert NJ Lovett's
novel Richard Gresham" It
is only after many duh and useless
pages have been turned and the read
er has propelled himself across wide
barrens O. extrsneoUs Incident and
commonplace dialogue that he arrives
al the meat Of the story all unex-
pectedly. Perhaps there isn't any
thing in this world but just what we
want 70 be there" says Florence Ros-
sitter IN the third chapter from the
books last. Have you ever thought
Of that-that we live only in what we
want?" she adds and the reader be-
gins 70 see the light.
Il is she moral Don Quixote and his
fittings at the windmiIs of conviction
hich the author attempts TO depict
lr this story OF his. Had Nr. Lovett
prUned his story down to one-half its
bulk. concentrated the action into
something else than a nebulous IN
certainty and paid more heed 10 some
or the delicacies OF style, Richard
Gresham might have been a really in
teresting fellow and the record Of his
chauvinism something approaching
fascination. But with the hero fol-
lowing the rlow tail in New England.
making water motors in Mongolia, die
tating the run on consols in Wall
street-foundering ever through hogs
~ sluggish incident-the patient read
er must sacrifice much OF his interest
e 10 Wesriness.-
Richard Gresham, whose actions evil
IDENTIFY were not sufficiently inspiring
10 suggest TO his creator a book title
p other than the name, is OF a type Of
men Interesting enough 10 merit d
novel drawn upon their characteristics.
The man who is ever ready TO set hir2-
self against the cogs Of life's ma
chinery because he knows thet ethical
~ he IS right, all dictates OF practice
bility remaining unheard-tnis man is
called e crank or q reformer. accord
tng 10 his success in turning the wheels
10 follow his line OF force. Richard
Gresham is OF such a bent, though
neither crank nor refOrmer Crank he
Is not, for his Quixoticism is not IN
mixed with reason: reformer he could
never be, since he possesses not
enough conviction IN the righteousness
o. his code 10 lead beyond the circle
OF his own conduct. So here is man
who Is constantly running his head
against the stone wall OF opportunity
instead of climbing over il, because he
believes that lis souls sacred honor
demands such rigorous chsstisemenL
Unless the reader be another Richard
Gresham himself lie cannot but be-
come thoroughly exasperated with the
hero before be has followed him TO his
last sacrifice 10 the prim Puritan god.
self-rlghoeouEness.
Il is the old story Of the boy reared
70 atone for the smirched family es-
cutcheOn; IN the present instance il is
Richards father who has stolen the
bank funds and fed. Under the fan
aucsl tutelage OF his uncle young Rich
ard is made 10 I've only IL the rarehed
air OF self-ab negation TO duty with
the restora zion Of family honor by the
payment Of the fathers pccuIatioll ever
IN sight. Seemingly needless suffering
and shame are put upon the boy 10th
on the farm and at college. The author
seems 10 think il necessary TO sink his
here's head as far as possible below
the level Of comfort and happiness in
order 70 emphasize the magnitude Of
the sacrifice 10 which his life is de-
voted. First he gives up his love for
q music han artist 10 appease this
lIoloch OF duty. then he renounces d
degree Ct college. an oblatiOn Of a cool
$4,000 gain On his patent water motor
goes 10 the high altar OF his resolve,
and al last his wife, even, comes near
being bound 10 the sacrifcial horns.
Then. 10 ED ull. when he finds that.
were he an opportunist he need make
no reparation al all for his fathers
backsliding. Richard Gresham casts
everything in the scale Of high justice
money, position. self-and the reader
last behoids him in a high white light
Of nartyrdom-
In his choice Of words and the work
ing Up OF some Of his dramatic Pc
RODS the author is not altorcther hap
py. Il is either carelessness or lack Of
literary skill that permits him TO make
botch OF some Of his paragraphs
witness the following, taken from a
highly climactic upiift in the story:
Painting and breathless, he plunged
up the piazza steps and through the
side hall He saw no ore, but he heard
some one sobbing-his mother. In the
front hall be fell over a suit case.
packed and strapped AS he recovered
himself the sobbing became a great
cry. and then silence. There were
heavy steps above and he heard his
fathers voice calling Mrs. Jones"
Gracious, After that terrible cry. that
sobbing, that silence. his father called