Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-06
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ISIDRO. BY Mary Austin Illustrated
by Eric Page Boston: Houghton.
Miffiin & Co. Washington: Wood
ward q Lothrop.
Mrs. Austin went to the Pacific coast for
her health and lived out of doors to get
the greatest possible benefit of the pure
air and the exercise which it inspired In
gaining health she has gained an invalua-
BILE knowledge of the region. an acquaint-
ance with the traditions of the people and
a true conception of the historical bacK-
ground. Consequently her writings now re-
fleet these requirements. In lsidro'
which is plainly one of the notable DOCKS
of the season, she tells the story or the Ola
mission days in California, the days OF the
Franciscans. their friction with the civil
authorities, their weakening hold upon the
Indians. Her hero is an attractive youth
whose father has dedicated him TO the
church as a recompense for having himself
married a young woman who had taken the
first steps toward a holy life. Young lsloro
had no especial forte for the priesthood
and felt no repugnance for the allotted HE.
He went forth as gaily to assume the cas-
sock as he would don the cloak or a sere-
nader Life joyous to him, a matter
of sweet indifference. whther the Win
might blow. But on his way to Monterey
where he was to be received into the ORDER
he ran into a mesh of circumstance, entan-
Cling him irrevocably beyond the reacn OF
the church. A kindly impulse to save
straying flock of sheep, guarded py Two
faithful, starving dogs, leads the way lot
him to love, tragedy and war, ana ne
energies a man of the world, wed TO peau-
tiful young woman. In the telling OF TINS
stirring and beautifully related story MIS-
Austin has shown a picture OF early Cal-
ifornia days in vivid coloring. In her de-
scription of a great forest fire, set by the
commandante as a means of dispensing
band of renegade Indians, not Knowing tn;t'
his own daughter was in Their power she
has scored high as a writer OF oratntt .H
literature The reader feels the not prealh
of the burning trees, hears the tramplnS
of the hoofs of wild creatures, the hoarse
breathing of running men and women tle
crash of falling trunks. and realizes the I'M
mipent PERL of the fuGitives as they seek
safety in a pool in the forest
Eric Pape's drawings in color are spirited
and true to the atmosphere and the text Oh
the story, adding richly to the attractive
ness of the volume
FOR THE WHITE CHRIST; story or
the Days of Charlemagne. BY Rop-
ert Ames Bennett. Pictures and de-
signs by Troy and Margaret West
Co.
Tho aavs of Charlemague were days OF
free fighting intense loving and hating
skiIlful sailing and rich coloring. A story
teller who aspires 10 render truthful PIC
ture of them must be an artist as well as
dramatIst Here is a newcomer in the FIELD
of fiction who proves himself capable In
both roles He sees the scenes he describes
with an eve to effective composition, and
he displays a rich vocabulary in their rem
dering He is capably assisted in the ar
tistic development of his theme by Mr.. ana
Mrs Kinney, whose color work has already
attracted attention in connection with sto-
ries of early European life
The action of the story centers upon the
adventures in love and war or those Two
immortal heroes. Roland and OilVer. MI.
Bennett employs the ancient spelling OF the
latter name "Olvir." He shows him as
fair youth, comely, skillful with the sword,
crafty in craftsmanship, intrepid In war,
man to win maid or TO lead most. true
nobleman. Karl, the king of the Franks,
Queen Hildegarde, her daughter Rothada,
Fastrada Karis later queen, and host or
others people the scenes, which are intense
in their action and significance. The In
trigues of the various peoples over whom
the great king reigns the wiles of his enc
mics, the superstitions of all classes, the
conflict between the Moslem, the Christian
and the pagans of the north enter into the
tale The author maintains an effective
balance between his elements, and renders
a plot OF marked ingenuity with great eff
fectiveness. His story appeals strongly to
the lovers of the picturesque and the
dramatic
A FISHER OF MEN; Churchill Satter-
lee, Priest and Missionary: an Inter
probation of his Life and Labors BY
Hamilton Schuyler. Illustrated. New
York: Edwin s. Gorham.
While not identified with the church work
in this District the fact that Churchill
Satterlees father is bishop of Washington
caused a local interest in his labors in the
missionary field in the southern states, and
evoked a sincere sorrow when the news of
his death came, a little more than a year
ago. This volume is a tribute to his mem
DRY by close personal friend. who under
stood his aspirations and knew Of the IN
ceasing struggles he made to carry spir
itual benefits to the poor people of the Car
olinas. Churchill Satterlee was a true mis-
sioner. a hard worker. courageous in the
face OF apparent defeat untiring in his la
bors for the education, enlightenment and
comforting OF his charges. Had he been
spared. had he not toiled so hard that
weak heart gave way, he would doubtless
have risen to a commanding eminence in
the religious world. He died with his work
only begun. out so well begun tntt ms sac
riices were to good end. The story of his
career is tenderly told. in a spirit of revcr-
ent appreciation, and the volume will be
welcomed by those who knew the man in
life or who were aware of his services.
THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK
HOLMES. By A Conan Doyle Illus
trated by Charles Raymond Macau-
ley. New York: Mcclure Phillips 81
Co. Washington: Woodward Il Lo-
throp.
Readers OF The Star have been greatly
enjoying the Sherlock Holmes stories
during the past few weeks. and are pre-
pared, therefore. for volume comprising
them. In these stories the great detective
has been perhaps at his best in the solving
of riddles. His adventures and his devices
have been varied. He has cut many a knot
and brought light upon many a mystery
So wildly does DIR. Doyle render the char
acter that Holmes stands forth a living
personality a man whom the reader comes
10 know as Intimately his neighbor Yet
there remains a veil of mysticism which
shuts him of. man apart. 1t Is impos-
sible TO foretell his mental processes. to an
ticipate his moves. 1t is In this that the
author has triumphed most distinctly In his
variations. There is nothing hackneyed in
the situations he offers for the detectives
genius to master. There is always some
new element, some surprise some unanticj
pateu shock or thrill