The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-09

 This book. though called fiction is no less history than Mir. wise's notable volume. "The End of an Era" Indeed the publishers name 1t a sequel in form of A story to that widely read book.
 It seems as If wholly autobiographi- cal The, hero, Powhatan Darlington, moves through the pages with the verisimilitude of John S. Wise. As a picture of the South, rather of Virginia, just at the close of the war. the book should make a part of every Souther- ner's library.
 The story of the years at the Univer- sity of Virginia Is told with all att tention to detail and with the zest of one who has enjoyed every mo- ment of its terms of study and man ly companionship. The professors of that day are intimately described and called by name. Especially are many beautiful tributes paid to Professor Minor whose Bible class Darlington attended.
 Some interesting data about Jeffer- son and his inimical Virginia are given in these chapters anent the days at the University.
 Carrington's success in his first de- bate is told with such genuine en- joyment that we warm with en- thusiasm and want to present the youthful orator with flowers and smiles of praise across the years, for getting that nearly half century lies between that evenings triumph and the page before us.
 Then the story of the commence ffiment at the University. May no Southern girl miss having one! The ex- citement, the joy of 1t. But Car rington was half in love with the belle of the college town and was not any too eager for his old friend, Edith, and her group of girl friends. But Jimmie" from Georgia saved the day. And the little girl In short frocks won the heart of the young debater, Car rington. even from the "post beau tiful of women" The heart of the Texan, also, who loved the college beauty was made happy by long de- layed acceptance of his love- IS thal what becomes of the college bellies? Do they all marry the noble Sa'. Iexas ranchers? They shine gloriously awhile like the dew drops in the morn ing sun. when all the world is full of youth, love and tender new light-we hear of them no more. That's where the go.
 To Texas.
 With Edith and Darlington the course of love runs smoothly. An in- duIgent father and admiring grand mother both desiring the wedding Of their offspring are not to be disap- pointed. Edith Is a bride at eighteen.
 The chief intent of the book centres about the political endeavors and ann bitions of Darlington.
 The story of Reconstruction Days will be read with deep and abiding In- terest. The pen-sketches of the car pet-bagger are worthy of illustration by the pencil of Hogarth. The doings of the scalawags are told with vigor. The description of the doinss of the "Black and Tan convention would be unbelievable, but that such were en- acted all over the South and we know we are here reading history and no romance.
 There were delegates, brothers In black, in the State houses of every state in those dark days making not laws, nor obeying laws, but vocifera- ting as were "Speer Hodges and Doc tor Bayne" and Frank Moss" that the bottom rail was on top," but they must have ''riglar order" and above all the provisions on the bilf'-if the provisions were meat. meal and mo- lasses.
 Of the acceptance of negro suffrage as a relief from military rule the author writes thus of the stand of Governor Wise:
 "One brave old soul had piloted them through many dangers and lost all in their defense stood firm and warned them of the peril. Henry S. Wise, when they thought to entrap him by the sophistry that 1t was choice between the acceptance of negro suf- inn nf m rule, spurned them, exclaiming: Why make choice between arsenic and strychnine? If you take either you are flo de SC. Is the spirit of Patrick Henry dead? He said. Give me liber- ty or give me death" Who would re- member him now If he had said give me degredation. I will swear to accept if. with the mental reservation to cheat myself back to liberty
 If the South had not accepted negro suffrage, what then?
 Has not the necessary election meth cd SO many years pursued changed the very fibre of Southern Statesmanship?
 Has recognized, commended, self honor-immolating lying brought the noblest element of the South to the front?
 But the South has had enough of this, the very soul of ir has long re- volted at the necessity, a necessity imposed by cruelty of the conqueror The very conqueror, seeing the futility the stupidity of the imposed necessity expresses a belated regret The South has taken the matter in hand and with the sympathy of all the broad minded level headed North Is fighting the old wrong The heated story of Caring tons struggle in the political arena is broken to tell of summer for the young husband and wife at Greenbriar White Sulphur. Many interesting sketches of the brilliant company gathered at the Greenbriar White the season of 1869 are given:
 "One day a special train arrived bringing the great philanthropist of