New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-29

THE CHERRY RIBBAND. BY s. r. Crockett.
with four illustrations by Claude Shopper
SON. LIMO, PIP. xii. 40. A. S. Barnes & Co.
Tine Ballingtons" is a strong story of Amer
lean social life. The scene is laid IN the Middle
West and accurately depicts conditions as they
exist there to-day; but the ethical problem pre-
sented, while enthusiastically American and
modern, is one as wide as humanity. The char
acter drawing is individualzed yet broadly
typical, and the procession of events to the
tragic climax is consistent. Grace of style,
which can come only with experience, may be
lacking; but thoughtfulness of purpose, intensity
Of conviction and vigor of treatment con-
spicuousy apparent. The story deals with the
spiritual awakening of American girl after
n arriage, with the struggle within her between
marital love and duty the one hand and
loyalty to her own true nature on the other.
Fidelity to truth, the logic of circumstance and
character not sacrificed to secure the con-
ventional happy ending. The author has the
SOUL If she has not acquired all the technique OF
the artist THE Ballingtons'' is story of social
life not only because 1t deals primarily with n
question which lies at the foundation of society
the integrity Of the family-but because it shows
that this is a question which does not stand by
itself, which cannot be fully answered without
taking into consideration mans and womans
obligations to those outside their restricted
kindred and affection and. IN a widening circle.
to the very limits of the social fabric. The moral
OF the story is that while between man and
wife, mutual concession in matters of habit.
manners and forms is essential, in what is truly
essential-the right of each soul to live up to it's
highest conception Of the truth as it is given it
10 see it-compromise is impossible and any
attempt In that direction is fraught with
disaster. Wfthal. the book is far from gloomy.
The narrative is enlivened with frequent flashes
of comedy, there is much to entertain we'll
to afford food for thought.
The problem presented and solved in Mr. Took
er's breezy sea story, Under Rocking Skies" is
a comparatively simple one not very new, yet
one that will never grow old. Love is the theme
and it's concrete application is made in the tale
of a prolonged courtship brought to favorable
conclusion In calm and tempest sailing voy-
age between a New-England port and Santa
Cruz. Captain March takes as passengers his
wife and daughter and the village minister and
is forced against his will. to accept as mate a
determined young man. Tom Medbury, who
knows what he wants-and usually gets it, if it
is to be obtained by fair means. What he wants
most is to marry Hetty March. Hetty, who
has received college education and has ac-
CURED some lofty ideals, focusing in desire to
go as a missionary to China is inclined to favor
the advances of the minister rather than those
of the sturdy seaman. The various characters
are well sketched, there is abundance of Incl
dent including incipient mutiny, in which
all the leading personages show to advantage
especially the vessels first officer; and Hetty
suddenly discovers that she has mistaken her
vocation, after all Mr.. Tooker writes of the
sea from the standpoint of a practical sailor
man. and his novel, while less extravagant than
those of Frank Stockton. has more than sug-
gestion of that authors gentle whimsicalty Of
motive and much of his agreeable nafvete Of
style.
by pleasant return to the manner of his story
1.-The Lilac Sunbonnet." 1t is. like Mrs. SquIres
novel the account of the spiritual awakening of
blithe young girl; but the book presents no moro
serious problem than is involved in Mr.. lockers
lively tale 1.-The Cherry Ribband' is a briskly
told story of love and adventure in Scotland in
the DAYS of Charles II. when the Kings soldiers
were marrying the hapless Covenanters from
byre to brarnbIe in the name of a merciful God
and to uphold the faith The volume gains its
title from a token given by the heroine, the
daughter of an officer of dragons, to the hero
a shv but manly youth the of stern, old
PRESBYTERIAN. On account of 1t. he is driven
from his fathers door, and for the sake OF it
he enlists Under the banner OF the enemy, to be-
nearer to his sweetheart. Adventures they have
a-plenty but the course Of true love Is rufiied
only by the adventurous interposition of tho