New-York tribune., 1906-12-01
STORIES FOR BOYS.
Books Of Stirring AdUenture and
Suggestive Morals.

The food Of boys books that swamped the
reviewers shelves, a few years ago. has lessened
season by season. The number has receded to
a reasonable limit and has, a rule, main
tanned high character. 1t is a pleasure TO note
that the prevailing tone Of the new issues, as
well as OF the old favorites which keep their
popularity. is of honor. kindness and JUS
tice, tone that makes for clean boyhood and
good citizenship.
The Crimson Sweater CThe Century Com
pany) by Ralph Henry Barbour is a vivid story
Of school life. The athletic element holds large
place IN the plot and 1t is developed in the most
wholesome and inspiring fashion The hero is
fine fellow and the schoolboy villain is of the
mean sort calculated to revolt his decent mates.
Harding Of st. Ttnothy's CHoughton, Miff1in
& Coz by Arthur Stanwood Pier. is another
story of school days which deserves cordial
praise 1t is especially valuable in its clever
expliCation of the danger tc character which
lies in the cultivation Of the clique spirit in i'm
questionable boys. 1t is a spirited story and it's
good lessons are not too obtrusive for the en-
joyment of young readers. Football is all per
vasive in this book. In Further Fortunes of
PiHI1ey Perkins" CThe Century Company Cap
tain Harold Hammond again introduces a youth
who has in previous pages proved himself to be
winning as well as rnischievous. There is much
humor in this story Of boy life in little West
ern town, and air of reality which goes far
to persuade us Of the truth of the conjecture
that the author in writing it indulging in
renliniscence. In Donald Barton and the Do
ings Of the Ajax Club" little, Brown & Coz the
characters. the events and various morals cIus-
ter round a beautiful forest glen which by the
efforts Of the Young hero is preserved to his
town as a perpetualy delightful public park
The preliminary struggles involve much exciting
moi ont aud
Club. The story is not particularly true to life
but II is entertaining. Mr. Allen Frenchs book
Pelham and his Friend Tim G4ittle. Brown &
Coz is also packed with excellent morals as we'll
as with picturesque episodes OF e strike in a
factory town. The plot is ancient and conven-
tional enough, but the story gets vitality from
its hero. a boy of manly metrle. and his expert
ences, If not probable are possible.
Self-reliance and physical courage and unset
fish heroism-these are the qualities that stir
in the fascinating chapters of Mr.. Norman Dun
cans book. The Adventures of Billy Topsail"
CFleming H. Revell Company. Billy is New
foundland boy, a fsherman's son, and his many
hatrbreadth escapes from the dangers lurl-
ing in angry waters, IN crushing ice. in over
hanging cliffs, and deadly cold. He even has a
thrilling encounter with a giant devfInsh a
creature not quite big and horrtfyiug Vic
tor Hugo's but quite wicked. Here is the
end Of his climb Up a great cliff above the
when he finds himself on narrow ledge unable
either to advance retreat, and with death
waiting below:
He must stand until-he fell.
Yes" he courageous enough TO admit
1T4inlmi5 he endure TIL hight? He thought not
HIS POSITION awkward. Surely his strength
+TouIS wear out-hs hands weaken. although the
stTsin upon them slight; his legs give way.
OF course ne followed the natural impulse
crey 10 his life long he could. Thus, while
the afternoon dragged along and the dusk ap
1roarhed he stood the face OF the Cliff waiting
Far The moment when his weakening strength
Would fail and he would fall to his death.
oTr an hour" he thought. soon II was In half
an hour. -. ..,x - A.5 ,o..os r. . a..
so-oHtbf1g brush past his back. It frightened him.
9f%HSt vas il? Again he felt it Again 1t startled
en5 ri ghrened him Then he felt II no more for
Tine and he was glad OF that Hs was too dull.