The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-29

Buiwer's novel of Eugene Aram highly idealizes a real person who was executed for fraud and complicity m the murder of one Clarke in 1769. The Houseuan of the story Is also a real character of that name. Walter Les ter the squire and the love story part of 1t are the inventions of the novelist.
 The character of the real Aram was 50 remarkable that it has lent itself readily to romance and poetry Hood wrote a poem about him, and he was the hero of one of the plays acted by Henry Irving.l But Bulwer's novel is the fullest and most complete study or Ararn'a complex character; and with alf the mannerisms of the author ana they are many--and with all the pseudo philosophy, which he strings out through platitudinous pages, It IS a book that we'll repays reading. There Is genuine gold hidden among the oross 0f Bulwer-Lytton, and that Is why ms books have lived so long and are hkely 10 live for so much longer.
 It is worth noting that the real Eugene Aram was the first to discover the affinity of the Celtic with the other European tongues and among the nrst, if not the first, to dispute the theory then generally accepted of the deriva- tIon of the Latin from the Greek language.
 Eugene Arams fame as scholar was great. It had penetrated even 10 the country village where he lived. when a mans fame does this It IS great. indeed.
 If was not because of any parade that Aram made of his profound knowledge, but rather in spite Of nim- self that his attainments had become known Summing his fellow men anu content to pursue his researches anu studiaa solely for the satisfaction which that pursuit afforded to him, 1t waa an annoyance rather than pleas ure to him to find his society sought by his neighbors and his opinion de- nanded by men of science Of interha- Sional fame. .,u.,, five wears of age, his scholarship was eo ripe that 1t had made him the equal. If not the superior, of eminent men or learning who had devoted their long lives and ripened abilities to study. Tall spare, with powerful frame ms great brow and thoughtIul ana 4fc expression gave him dignity VI mDnearance that awed all who were Brought into contact with him, while a eweetness and gentleness of manner which he could assume when he chose, won the affections of those whom ne condescended to admit to his acqualn- aance There was, also, about the man aomethins hidden and a something deeply sorrowful born, as 1t seemed. of turbulent and smoldering passions that flashed across his mood now ana then and added to the fasclnatloh which all felt who entered Eugene Aram's presence.
 of the Spotted Dog. and his boon com panion, Corporal Bunting, retired. feit a pride in having Aram as an innapi- tant of their quiet town of Grassdalei and one day, when a rough-lookln traveller joined them and inquired aoouI the wealth and possession or squire Lester the lord of the manor, they cut him short in order to boast of the s.acholard" "The most notable man in this part of the country" said the land lord, lis Master Aram-a great scholard sir, a great scholard- Ana he gave as much to the poor tast W1n- si.. ter as the squire himself Them DIE wigs of learned folk come to see him from ever so far away, and you can see the carriages of the county famt- lies a-frequent rolling on their way 10 his lonesome old house over there. YOU can just catch a glimpse of the what you-may -call-it he has built on ms roof. He's got glasses there, they tell me, as you can see the people Tn the moon walking on their heads with.
 The stranger gazed at the landlord with a fierce intensity.
 
 say Aram-Eugene Aram? God! How
 .Whatr' exclaimed the host. You know him? Have heard on him like Tyr"
 The rough traveller sprang from his seat and walked back and forward in short turns, muttering to himself, now clinching his fist with fierce expression and now laughing quietly.
 Rum tantrums!" remarked the cor poraI aside to his landlord. Just then Peter and the corporal sprang to their feet to salute the two pretty daughters of Squire Lester, Madeline and her younger sister Ellinor, who were pass ink on their evening walk. They were girls well worth looking at, but the stranger eyed them indiferently, seem- ing absorbed in the reflections caused in him by the mention of Aram's name
 Madeline was the beauty and the boast of the county. Above the average height. her figure was richly and exouIsitely formed. Her complxion was so translucently pure and soft that it might have seemed indicative Of delicate health had 1t not been for the dewy and exceeding redness of her Iips and the freshness of teeth winter than pearls.
 Her deep blue eyes were thoughtful and serene and her high, broad fore head gave promise of a certain noble ness of intellect Wnlcn auuCu ulSnlty to her feminene beauty.
 Ellinor was of a softer and less ele- vated type of beauty, but the sunlight of an innocent heart shone through her lovely face and beamed in her smile. As 1t chanced, the two girls were talk ing as they passed on of the same per son. the mention of whose name had so disturbed the rude stranger-Eugene Aram.
 He is so melancholy and thought full" ElIinor was saying; not bright and cheerful like our cousin Walter. Madeline gave a little laugh and Elli- nor blushed But when he smiles he seems positively handsome continued she to cover her confusion
 'SOh more than handsome!' cried Madeline, with that high. pale brow and those deep, unfathomable eyes. EIlinor smiled and 1t was Madeline's turn to blush.
 The next day the gossips of the vil- lage said that the rough looking stranger had not only visited the lone lv house of Aram where the scholar lived alone with an o'd woman who served as his housekeeper but had even spent the night beneath its roof. Aram explained by saying that he was a man whom he had known formerly-a wild, rowing fellow. but harmless He had called m him for assistance and he had given him what he could and sent him on his way ,... l. This seemed simple enough; but in 4bo cOrrectness of Aram'S life