Evening journal., 1908-08-20
LITERARY COMMENT
Clement storer Foster.

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Clement storer Foster 81
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When the truly iurid is expected. one
source is always prolific The "Hoosier'
state has never failed to produce crop
Of printed matter. when her prose and
poetic writer's get to work. that does not
hold the interest of readers Indeed
from the time OF the publication OF the
"Hoosier schoolmaster." Indiana has been /
noted for peculiarly interesting produc
tions. "The Circular Staircase" Crhe
Bobbs-A Merrill Co.. Indianapols), by Mary
Roberts Rinehart is. perhaps. one Of the
weirdest things created in the state of
''rhe Tall Sycamore OF the Wabash" Il is
a real detective story, resolving into the
unwinding Of a snarl Of complications and
the removing Of mysteries without end
by a level-headed spinster.
There is, of course. a house OF mystery
rented from a banker by the maiden lady |
Of deductlve mind and level thought. Muir
ders, robbery and eventual triumph Of the
innocent, all are brought through the
story In a manner far and away ahead Of
Sir Conan Doyle's best work. and making
the mathematical conclusions of Jacques
Futrelle's Thinking Machine" appear
commonplace II is one Of the interest
compelling" stories of the period.
The September Century contains the first
Of William II. Crooks "reminiscences Of
nd Tol4 g., NNr
nounced some months ago. Mr.. Crook was
for many years one Of the White House
staff; and his "reminiscences Of the days
Of Andrew Johnson's presidency written
in collaboration with Mrs. Margarita
Spaldng Gerry. are marked by a sympa-
thetc appreciation Of the more engaging
qualities OF a man who is the one Of our
presidents least known and, perhaps, least
understood.
1.-THE Realm OF Light" by Frank Hat
field. (4sO pp. $780, Reid Publishing Co..
Boston,, is a story of a land Of mystery
and the adventures of two American bus
mess men induced TO pass its borders by
an old Hungarian.
Here they find a people. who for thou
sands Of years have lived life freed from
every form OF self-seelxing-the ideal life;
race of giants, physically and intellect
ually, who in our year one had controlled
the solar energy and made Il subservient
to their needs: had constructed telescopes
so far superior to what are known that
they bring the moon and planets within
the range of intelligent perceptions; had
worked out the principles of acoustics to
such an extent that without a medium.
! conversation could be carried on at great
distances; had, through their mystery OF
the problems Of the storage Of power an
initiated space; and had discovered won-
derful methods of lighting and Of time
! keeping. through unseen forces.
The book abounds in romance; AMI food
for thought and discussion for him who
can read between the lines. Altogether,
the work is destined to provoke discussion
and create large interest.
The September Metropolitan Is an es-
/ pecialy attractive number OF this popular
periodical ''The gentle art Of photo
graphing rattlesnakes' is a feature Of in
terest and E. NJ. Downing's descriptive
interest story of Osteopathy is trite ''The
Naval Battle of the Future" Hudson
Maxim). comes from an assured source Of
interest. The book is full Of zest and in
terest.
In the Broadway Magazine for septem-
Der, Alfred Henry Lewis tells Of "The Ev
I Fruit Of the Campaign Contribution" At
this time this is Of especial interest. and
the subject is handled with a peculiar
degree Of interest It is an eye-opener In
addition to this and other special articles
there is an alluring quantity of fiction and
verse Of quality in this number.
Wonder why It is necessary 10 nail
Young's Magazine to the deskg Even the
Satan" who answers the bell awaits his
/ opportunity to purloin il. on a cold dav il
I is luxury, and the September number is
in our refrigerator. Here is scintillating
star-conveying much 10 inquirine friends
and IL is only a small tear off from a
bunch of warmth:
Henry Miller was discussing the Pro-
hibition party, There was the Honorable
Jeff Truly" he said reminiscently. ''yvho
was one Of the unsuccessful aspirants for
the suffrage of his fellow citizens. There
was Prohibition issue involved and a
minister met JEFF and put the question d.
/ rect.
" Brother Truly said he, I want to
ask you a question. Do you ever take a
drink Of whiskeyT
Before I answer that said the wary
Brother Truly, I want to know whether
1t is an inquiry or an invitation."'
The Technical World Magazine for Sep
tember CChicago) carries 80 articles of
absorbing interest at this time. The Illus
trations are especially good and Emmett
Campbell Hall in his article, "All About
Shot Guns" will interest local sportsmen.
inasmuch as the season when land and
water birds begin to fly Is close at hand.
He says he does not intend to convey the
idea that it is necessary to pay a high
price for a good gun.
When the price goes above $50 the diff
ference Is mainly for fancy workmanship.
There are on the market a number Of
double guns, good enough for almost any
service, which may be purchased at SIS
and SEQ. In purchasing a gun at these
| figures, however. one should be most care.
full to secure one which is the product OF
reliable firm and should carefully avoid
the Belgian Damascus" which LACKS a