Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-07

his name are numerous and some of them
are still vividly related by old residents in
the Ohio valley Indeed there are some
now living who remember the strange fig-
ure of Johnnie App!esead. D.. HILLS has,
after Il COnSidera bic research, gathered all
the available materials regarding his
story, and has written a narrative
that describes the career and purposes of
this man. who was so singly and singularly
devoted 10 the WeIIJr2 of the colonies. In
terest how yer. centerS less in the fic-
tional narrative than the character study
which DR.. Hills has made of vital signiti
canoe He presents Johnnie AppIeseed., or
John Chapman, as man first inspired by
great love for a young woman whom he
has lost, and for a boundless affection for
all human beings. His description of the
strange mans wanderiEgs. sufferings. periIs
and enterprises are dramatic and moving
1t is nook to quicken the interest of all
readers in the history of the great river
region west of the Alleghenies.
LETTERS FROM AN OLD RAILWAY OFFICIALS
10 His Son. a Division Superintendent. By
Charles DeLano Iine. With a postscript by
Frank H. Spearman. Chicago: The Railway
Age
The parental-letter form of giving ad-
vice being just now popular, it is a harpy
application of the method that Major Hne
has adopted in his little book, composed
of letters published serially during the
past few months in the Railway Age. The
author is very we'll known here, being
native of Vienna, Va, a graduate of the
Washington High School, and during ne
war with Spain an officer of the District
Regiment in Cuba. His railroad experience
has been wide one, and he is known IN
the transportation world as one of the
closest observers and the most active
workers in those ranks. He is at present
occupying a staff position with the Erie
railroad. having recently joined that serv-
ice.
In his letters Major Hine gives a sup
positions son the benefit of some sound adj
vice, based upon experience in all lines of
railroadng and dealing with all classes of
men. Much OF the text is of particular
interest chiefly to transportation workers.
but the general reader is at no time con-
fused unduly by the vernacular which
spices the text. 1t Is always possible to
follow the lines of reasoning and easy TO
appreciate the sparkling humor which lows
through the pages. An insight is given
into the wu~ <ings of a great railroad sys-
tenn and a view is afforded of some of the
vexatious problems that confront every
practical railroader.
Mr. Frank II. Spearman, himself a writer
of railroad stories of the first order of
popularity, has contributed a postscript to
this volume. gracefully paying a tribute to
Major Hine as an individual and ,rans-
portation official
muud u. Morel ~ ID. Nj. author OF Anairs
in West Africa" Sc. With Illustrations and
maps. New York: Funk Wagnalls Company.
The Congo question continues to agitate
certain circles in both Europe and America,
and that agitation is certain to become
more pronounced in consequence of this
work detailing the results of Mr.. Morers
Investigations into the Belgian admins
tration of that section The literature of
a,A mil afS
this subject is already voluminous, and the
present book is correspondingly replete
with statistics and minute details. 1t pre-
sents a forbidding picture, one that will
shock every reader into a profound indig-
nation against the present rulers of the
Congo region, unless already bent toward
the other side. Mr.. Morel proceeds with
specific cases and general charges to in
dict the Congo administration of cruelties
which SAVIOR of the days of slave unting
when that traffic was recognized by the
civilized nations. He writes with the vigor
frankness and feeling of one thoroughly con-
WINGED that an outrageous wrong is being
perpetrated upon the natives of west At
rica, and he offers his book as an appeal to
the world in the hope of arousng general
International sentiment TO reinforce the eff
forts OF the Congo Reform Association to
put an end to the barbarities alleged. The
volume comes effective sequel to his
recent visit TO the United States in this in
terest
FOLKS NEXT DOOR: the Log Book of a Rambler
by w a: Crofutt, author.o History of Con-
neetieut &c. Illustrated. Washing ton: East
Side Publishing Company.
Mr.. Croffut's rambles through the regions
lying round about the United States have
been productive of number of letters find
Ing publication in newspapers and other
periodicals. and now that they are given
book form they will appeal to their read
ers with consecutive interest which they
have heretofore lacked. In the course OF
the chapters he tells of visits to Canada.
Cuba, Yucatan, Mexico and Panama His
narrative is punctuated with descriptions of
amusing Incidents, and a close view is az