The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-18

Mr.. Samuel n. Gardenhire's new
novel THE Silence of Mrs. Harold"
shows according to the critics who have
read both, a marked advance over his
first book LUX Crucis-" The latter had
q good sale IN Topeka, largely no doubt
because Mr.. Gardenhire formerly lived
here and has many Topeka friends who
felt a curiosity TO see what he could do
IN fiction and the Silence Of Mrs.
Harold" is also going very well at the
booksellers and is repaying those who
read It in interest and enjoyment. 1t is
q modern story, unlike Lux Crucis
which was a tale Of the Roman empire
In which the apostle Paul figured and
the scene is laid in New York city
where Mr.. Gardenhire now lives. Famii-
lar. New York places and people figure
IN the story, incorporating under slight
~ disguised names and the novel gives
altogether, panoramic glimpse of con-
oit1ons in the American metropolis. The
Wall street trusts and the theatrical
trust. leading lights of the ultra smart
set, as well as pleasing pictures of
less notorious and more agreeable So
elety, popular young actress lis Ethel
6aIFyInore meant2) a favorite matinee
BlrES nero, a master of finance q half
crazed inventor and an amateur Sher-
lock Holmes who unravels the tangled
threads of the central plot are among
the themes handled by Mr. Gardenhire
IN broad. comprehensive and con-
vincfng manner.
The central theme is of course Mrs.
tdarrold's secret and the opening chap
9ers OF the book which tell of her meet
ing with John Harold, his proposal of
marriage and her refusal of il unless
she be taken on her own terms Of a
sight unseen contract. her past as
frrevocably buried as his own are
among the most interesting in the boot,
Harold Hsa- u4r do saF fI,a
argument with a degree oflegal acumen
astonishing in a woman. But when
you remember that the author of the
DOCK IS a law student of no mean at
tainment you realize that his charming
heroine has advantages in that respect
which many charming heroines lack
The book has faults-mostly of con-
StructiOn- It is somewhat labored in
style and there Is a ponderosity in the
presentation and development of the
themes which makes you think of Dis
raeis works and others which made
the beginning of the novels history The
book is real enough as far as the plot
and action are concerned but the char
acters talk in a somewhat stilted and
affected manner. OF course that is no
objection to some people who think the
characters Of a novel should talk book
fshly. Mr.. Gardenhire manages the
chorus part of his work very well but
his dialogue could be improved upon |
However The Silence of Mrs. HAROLD !
IS very readable story and wei worth |
s'The Silence OF Mrs. Harold. F4arper
& Bros. New York. Price, $3.50
John Brown the Hero" is the title
Of little book just published that will !
interest especially the students Of Kan |
Eas history.
The author is DR.. ]. w Winkley. of
Boston, whose name is closely identified
with the stormy days of Kansas, though
he was citizen of the territory but
two years, 1856 and 1857. He lived on
the Pottawatomie but not near the
scene of the frightful tragedy in which
I'VE pro slavery men were mercilessly
slaughtered at the direction of Brown
the one unexplainable act that mars the
fame Of this heroic character.
Dr. Winkley makes no attempt to go
into details and his mention of the Pot
4awatOmie incident is brief indeed but
what he tells he tells well and it bears
the stamp of reality. Any one would /
know that he was at one in and a }
part OF the bloody days when John |
Brown and other strong hearted 4
men fought the battle for the freedom 4
The battle of Osawatomfe is briefly 4
described and the tremendous odds /
against the free state defenders is vivid
" brought out. The murder of F'reder-
lex Brown. son of the ernancipator is |
not dealt upon but the author tells bow
he saw the aged and grizzled father
standing bowed with grief but resolute
at the side of the dead body OF his son
in the Adair cabin. Here is an extract /
4ron the description: LAS Brown bent
over the lifeless form of his boy, there
was not a word of complaint from his
lips nor any look of revenge on his face
only deep, silent grief, and falling
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