The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-13

weeping Cross, An Unworldly Story
 by Henry Longan Stuart, (Double-
 day, Page & Co.,
 Of course it is absolutely necessary to be in a certain humor, or condition of mind rather in order to appreciate anything good, in books, people or things, or sometimes even tolerate a bore, human or wooden. Very often book or person who, to one man or woman will prove most interesting and pleasing generally, tires another who is not in the same receptive con dition of mind; so that in so Tar as Judgment on a book is concerned 1t Is always strictly the way the book ap- peared to the critic-whatever we may hear or read as to high -browed- artistic temperamental book reviewers to the contrary notwithstanding.
 The above dissertation on things in general and nothing in particular is intended to introduce a book called "Weeping Cross" by Henry Longan Stuart. It may have been, but it is doubtful-at any rate this reviewer may have been in that receptive con- dition of mind aforesaid, but whether or not, if this department is not very much mistaken then Weeping Cross" is one of "the" novels of this year. If one in the course of human events has to read a certain number of books within given length of time, he be- comes rather critical-callous, not-to- be-trif1ed- and particularly re- sentful of tommyrot. Then, when book comes along which one takes up with that everpresent fear and trem- bling, all in a days work, and before person. Few have welded their sweethearts, their paramours or mis tresses but have come home by Weep ing Cross and ere long repented their bargain" which has given the title and theme to the novel.
 It is a matter Of history that there was a "Richard Fitzsimon," afterward Father Fitzsimon, or Father Hopwell, who wrote a cipher document which was entitled "The Confession" sup posed to have been in the archives of the Society of Jesus or Jesuits, which gave an account of Richard Fitzsimons experiences in North America during 1852. Fitzsimon was the son of rich, , gentle Irish family and In the wars of Cromwell against King Charles, Fitzsimon took the side of the King. Fitzsimon was captured in battle, brought before Cromwell and, as was the custom at that time, instead of sending this captive to Guinea, he was sent as an indentured servant to New England for 10 years-through the in . tercession of Sir Henry Vane, a friend and adviser of Cromwell. All of this is disclosed in the prologue to the novel Weeping Cross"
 the reader gets further along than 15 or 20 pages he begins frequently to turn back to note the name of the author reread certain portions of the preface and prologue, if any, is it d great delight? Well rather.
 f"Weeping Cross" is a novel that, taken all in all, is one of the best which this reviewer has read in many long day. It requires a pretty good book to compel a reviewer to recall, think over and delight in a book he has read three or four days before, but that was the case with "Weeping Cross" It is not desired, nor is it ad- visable, to grow too enthusiastic over any book, but this department wishes to say here that there has been no book published, of it's kind, within the past two years that has given as much pleasure to this reader as did Weep ing Cross" but do not forget that re- captive condition of mind before men toned
 On the title page the author has placed from the "Essays of Michael Lord of Montaigne,"f the following: "A woman may yield to such a man whom in no case she would have married; I mean not for the condition of his fortune but for the qualities of his
 Fitzsimon arrived in due time at Boston and was brought before Governor Endi- colt of the New England colony The half slave was put to work as a scav- enger around the little town, only until some one out of Boston town could be in- veigled into taking this papist perma- nently or for the 10 years of his service. Captain Fleming, who lived at Summer field near Boston, but in Connecticut, was induced to accept Fitzsimon after the latter had been designated by having a leather collar with Fleming's initials upon 1t placed around the indentured servant s neck, to be worn at all times as was then the custom. These two, master and man, began their journey to Summerfield. Cap tain Fleming had a lovely daughter-a widow who had had most unhappy mar ried life under whose directions the ser want, Fitzsimon, was placed. The story deals with the love that grew up between Agnes Bartlett, the widow, Captain Elem ings daughter, and Richard F'itzsimon, and it's illicit consummatfon. The widow was most unjust and outwardly unkind to Ftzsimon, brow-beating him before others to cry over him in secret The novel is story of the awful results of illicit love; some people will say, not a good subject for a novel, but will not continue to say so if they will only read "Weeping Cross,'' and enjoy the ar tistic treatment of the subject and the high class of literary style employed
 Then, too, the book is vindication, so to speak based on history, of the no doubt unjust statements made against the