The San Francisco call., 1908-10-18
Lewis Rand

LEWIS k0R6
BY Mary Johnston author of ITO Have and
70 Hold" Prisoners OF Hope" etc. Pub
llsled by H0ughton Mlfhin Co.. Boston.
Price Sl-50.
The people who have been looking for
the great American novel may well
consider the latest work of Miss Mary
Johnston, kept in grateful memory for
her TO Have and to Hold"
Ia Lewis Rand" many OF the quail
ties that go to make the perfect novel
are found. II Is historical. the
author having taken those excit-
ing years marking the close Of the
eighteenth century and the beginning
OF the nineteenth century as her time.
America as her place, and among her
characters such figures as Jefferson and
Burr, who appear in their own proper
tiOus names representing many well
known characters.
The plot Of the story centers around
the character Of Lewis Rand, introduced
in the very first line Of the story. He
is The son Of q Virginia tobacco roller,
and though a mere lad he rebels at his
life already. A famous hunter and In
friend OF the Rands, and he and Lewis
have prophetic and Illuminating con-
yersation in the first chapter. The boy
s. ws the seeds of his overmastering
ambition then when he says to Adam:
i want TO be mani But 1 don't
want TO be tobacco roller, like my
father, nor
And the wise hunter, who has studied
him since his infancy. finishes his SEN
renCe for him quite placidly.
Nor a hunter like me-"
II is in the next few words OF Adams,
spoken with no thought Of conse-
Quences. that the boys ambitions re-
ceive a hint at definite form.
BE the governor of Virginia" says
Adam, "or come with me and make
yourself king OF the Mississippi
The boy saves his pennies, and when
be has 81 he goes to a book shop at
Richmond 10 invest II In law books
Fate that day leads Thomas Jefferson,
not yet the president, to the same shop.
and he is wonderfully interested in the
boy and adds two books to the two he
has bought together with much good
advice and an invitation to come and
see him This friendship continues to
grow for many years. until Rand's fatal
ambition alienates him from almost
everybody.
IN the Carys and the Churchills two
typical pictures OF fine old southern
families are given. They are both fed
eralists. while Lewis Rand is a follower
Of Jefferson. in those days called a re-
publican-democrat When Lewis is a
successful candidate for the hand Of
dacqueline Churchill there is a tremen-
eous upheaval in the two families. The
Lhurchills are very proud Of their an
cestry. and while giving a grudging ad-
mlrauon TO the successful self-made
man. they can't make UP their minds to
the alliance between the families. Add
ed TO their pride OF birth is their po-
ltical difference. which in those days
was no inconsiderable thing.
However, Jaccuelin marries Lewis
and though her family never quite for
gives her and never forgives Rand
they are always sOlicitous for her well
fare.
Rand falls into the spell OF fasci-
nation, cast upon all who knew him, Of
Aaron Burr and becomes involved in
his plots 1t is then that the fine spirit
Of the Churchills is shown; how noble
they are and what a fine patriotism
they show. Through some very inter
esting and well told personal compli-
cations Rand is prevented from publicly
disgracing himself, but his wife learns
the story and she is prostrated by the
knowledge, but though her ideal is
During the exciting days OF the Sc
cret plotting with Burr. Rand never
dreams that Jefferson, now president.
knows anything Of his private schemes.
Jefferson asks Rand 10 come out to
MS home, Monticello. and have a talk.
A portion OF this talk with Jefferson is
quoted:
Rand also had risen. In this room,
what can I say? Your kindness to me
has been very gerat. My God, sir, I
should be stock or stone not to feel
abashed, And yet-and yet VIII
YOU have il at last2 You ask disciple
ship-you must have about you tame
and obedient spirits-a Saint James
the Greater and Saint James the Less
10 hearken 70 your words and spread
them far and wide, and all the atten-
tive band to wait upon your wisdomi :
Free, We are tremendously free, but
you must still be lord and master,
Well. say that / rebel
81 see that you have done So" said
Jefferson. with irony. Il am not your
lord and master.
Il would not, If I could, have Stunned
this interview tonight For long we
have felt this strain. and now the
sharp break is over. / shall sleep the
better for Il"
i am glad, sir, that you view it so.
For years ] have worn your livery
and trudged your road-that fair, wide
country road with bleating sheep and
farmer folk, all going TO markets dull
as DEATH I've swincked and sweated
for you on that road Now I'll tread
nv own. though I come at last to the
gates Of Tartarusi My service is done,
sir: I'm out OF livery"
Your roadT exclaimed the other.