The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

in one case, three years in another. In
 every prison conducted under anything
 like humane laws in this or any other
 country there is allowed every year so
 much reduction in the prisoner sentence
 for good conduct It usually runs, the
 good conduct reduction or copper as the convicts call 1t, something like this:
 For good conduct. the first year, two
 months; second year, two months; third year. four months; fourth year, four months: fifth year and every year there- after five months, all to be deducted from sentence. The "good time' act
 usually reads: '"rhis time had already been earned by you (the prisoner).. The law has given it to you and it belongs to you Only bad behavior on your part will forfeit this time. It is for you to de- termine whether or no you will keep this time to your credit; and for you alone.' Good law. Now, John Collins' had 'been sent up' for eight years all to- gether He determines to earn his good time, gaining two years and eight months off, leaving him only five years and four months to serve out his eight years sen- tence.
 The book hasn't a subtitle but should have to-wit: "The Making of a Monster By the State" It is too great story to spoil in review by telling too much about ''9009," but it is only necessary to say that the book relates how Col lins did not earn his "good time' in spite of his earnest endeavors to do so and how the state and it's menial officers. through sheer gross stupidity creates a
 monster-is doing 1t every day. which the state has later to destroy (stupidly) at the cost of labor, blood and much gold.
 The authors say that the impulse which moved them to write this strong book was
 primarily ignation-indignation at facts That these were facts learned slowly and gradually by one of the au- thors and then told in one mass to the other with an abruptness giving intense vision The authors add that a work written in the fervor of indignation is apt to be violent, unbalanced and unjust. The authors claim that they have been alive to this danger and they saw how | best to avoid 1t. It was, they say, by using in the story facts only. "9O0s is | story made of facts-a fact-story.' But l by this the authors do not mean that ..9oo9'' is a biography. Convict s009, John Collins, exists only in the authors imag- | nation But they say that everything | that happens to 9009 within the prison is something which has happened to some convict in some prison (American prison) some time. And they add, that much worse things could have happened to 9009 By which is meant that much worse things have happened to some convicts in some prisons sometimes-and that the au- l thors know of those happenings. The authors claim that in sticking closely 1 to the facts they have eliminated what was too terrible about the truth and in the expression of that which has been divulged, the authors claim to have used repression. The authors think the result is a simple, clear, compressed story all of action which shows how society cre- ates a monster. It is truly that and more It is thrilling book. Oh, you people who are talking about the world growing better, just take look around you and see how man treats his fellow | man-only-when he is down-it is safe and the proper thing to do Read
 "9009" and do something! It is not a ''preachy'' book-goodness sake no! The facts do all the preaching without any intermezzos. Read '9009" and see!
 The Flaming Sword and Other Legends of the Earth and Sky,'' by Edith Ogden Harrison. GA. c. Mcclure & Co.)
 Mrs Harrison's latest book is somewhat different from its predecessors in that she takes as the basis of several of the tales some of the prettiest of the Bible stories, to which she gives reverent though very original interpretations. In addition to the Bible stories there are a number of her infrnitable fairy tales in which she has embodied many of the beautiful things In the universe, the stars, birds, flowers, etc. The book is beautifully illustrated in color by Lucy Fitch Perkins. There are IA stories in the book, with four full page color illustrations, very handsome, and 14 drawings in black and white introducing the tales. The fairy tales of The Mocking Bird" "The Lilly'' and "The Cotton Myth" are very unusual of their kind Mrs. Harrison says that often while she watched natural phenomena, stories of the Bible would arise before her, serving to form a background to the mental pie lures and strengthening her delight in na- ture. In offering her fancies to the public she asks that there be no confusion of her imaginative legend with the true Bible story.
 '"rhe Flaming Sword' would be a charming gift book for young boy or