davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28

The book is amusing and will effectu-
ally kill an idle hour (B. w. Dodge &
Co., New York. s1.25.)
The Leaven of Life. or Natures Sc
cret of Happiness Revealed" is what
its author, Edmond Auclair, calls IAN
essay treating on what everybody
should know concerning loves phe-
nomena.' Rather is it an excuse to
talk about a lot of involved rot which
is neither reasonable nor clear, on the
sex question Oakland. cal)
Mrs. Florence jackson Stoddard has
made collection of Cuban legends and
folklore, of the articles entitled "As Old
as the Moon" 1t is the first collection
made of the myths, nature stories and
semihistorical tales of primitive Cuba,
and as such will appeal strongly to stu
dents of folklore. to historians and to
ethnologists. 1t is interesting in
reading these tales to find that these
primitive people have the same legend
of the flood destroying the world that
myths equally interesting, one about
the coming of sharks to the Cuban wa
ters and another describing the origin
of women's fear of rats and mice. The
stories are simply told, so that they
appeal also to children as we'll as older
and more serious students. Doubleday,
Page & Co., New York SID
The third bound volume of "Philo-
polls" contains many articles bearing
on the questions which have puzzled
the city in its rebuilding. While Ar
thur L. Mathews has been the most
generous contributor both with pen
and brush, there are some fine articles
from Anna Pratt Simpson. Louis T.
Hengstler, Alexander McAdie, the Rev.
David Evans and others, all written in
an unconventional and exceedingly in
teresting way. The illustrations, some
OF them photographers, deserve much
praise, and the decorative work is of
the first quality. The binding is uni
form with the two volumes already
published and is extremely artistic, be-
ing the work of Bruce Brough of San
Francisco. Volume III begins with
October, 1908. and includes September.
1909.
sThe Standard Guide for Locomotive
Engineers and Firemen," by Ed Turner,
is an Illustrated pocket manual for the
convenient use of railroad engineers.
firemen and machinists, covering break
downs. quick repairs on e It equipment,
New York brake equipment, compound
engines, injectors, lubricators, etc.
obdiudiu III Nh oitAO1to anu III @
men. signals and definitions of railroad
terms The work contains many Illus
trations and map with tables showing
points at which railroads running east
and west change from one time to an
other. Gaird & Lee, Chicago. Leather
binding, rs cents.)
Walter de Voc is an author who be-
lieves that there lies within each per-
SON tbe faculties through which that
person may develop the power of God
within himself. In a unique book en-
titled THE Doors of Life" just pub
lished. Mr. de Voc, with delightful op-
timisfn, emphasizes the existence of an
oversuppIy OF joy In the whole created
universe. This book takes it's place
with all the .'uplift' literature of the
last few years and deserves considera-
tion. (Funk & Wagnalls, New York. SID
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28
The San Francisco Sunday Call
BOOk,1
"'The Wiving of Lance Cleaverage"

BY Alice MacGowan author Of Judith Of the
MANS Sons, New York. Price Sl-s5.
Alice MacGowan knows the noun
tains Of Tennessee and The people there
as few writer's Of today do. These pic
lures Of a southern life are fast van
fishing and what one writer has called
tie only real Americans are fast be-
sng swallowed up by civilization. For
they are stiu almost uneiviIized. still
almost primitive. and this tale shows
them to an interested world in all
their primal colors.
The opening chapters eof the book
are the best; there we see first the
rustic beauty, Callista Gentry. and a
bevy Of gaylv dressed girls seated by
a running stream. A grOup Of youn g
mouuUaineers dressed in their sabbath
best homespun joins them. Most of the
conversation is idle and half auda-
cious. sparring between Callista and a
ne'er do well named Lance Cleaverage.
The scene is vivid with life and color
SO vivid we feel we have seen it, The
tale opens at once and the wooing of
the spoiled beauty, callista. begins. 1t
IS stormy and masterful. and though we
see the uncomfortable temper of
Cleaverage. his strength is fascinating,
and we hope ardently that all will come
out right.
one feels that the author has allowed
herself a bit too much exaggeration
at times in order to aecentuate the
primitive picture. for il is at the ex-
pense of her literary values. The
couple have stormy and unhappy
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28
THE Journal of a Recluse"

Translated from the original French. Pub
lished by Thomas T. Croweh Co., New
York Price S1.25
When a book appears without the
name of the author, with the legend
translated from the original French,
and without the name of the transla-
tor, 1t naturally reuses curiosity. This
book is one fer thoughtful readers and
it is easy to see was written because
the author had something to say. The
translator, in long preface. says that
he was walking about small town
on Bellingham bay. Wash, when he
saw a shrub which interested him. on
going nearer 1t proved to be Scotch
broom, not indigenous to our coast, and
he was very curious to learn how 1T
came there. On inquiry at the nearby
house he learned from the woman that
her uncle had planted it. Almost on
the instant she draws the stranger into
conversation and proposes that he take
some notebooks which she has, writ
ten in French by her uncle, and trans
late them and give them to the world
The upshot of 1T is that he consents
and this book is the result The
translator gives US no more of himself
than IN. F." though what harm it
could do to reveal himself is diff
cult to see He has done his work
we'll, and though we can not compare
it to the original we are ready to
agree with the publishers that the
English is remarkably clear and beau
tifuI.
The hero is George Graham, Scotch
man, whose father was head gardener
TO a nobleman with a country place
near Edinburgh. This nobleman has a
son who is a hopeless invalid, and TAX
ing a fancy to the gardener boy, takes
him into his home and educates him.
In Scotland the classes are plainly
divided and this education is far above
the position of gardeners boy. The
boy falls in love with his noble mas
ters daughter, Lady Margaret. and
suddenly realizing how impossible such
an affair can be, he leaves without
telling his love and goes TO America
Here he decides to settle in some place
where he can study, condition he
thinks incompatible with life in city,
He obtains land grant in Belling-
ham, Wash, and dreams his melancholy
dreams.
A niece, Miss Abby Crawford. from
Scotland, drops into his life from the
clouds. thinking to take care or her
aged relative; but she finds he is
young man of scarcely 40 and they, OF
course, fall in love with each other.
Exactly why Graham should have the
unnatural ideas of love which he has
is something of a mystery, but he does
not believe in the purity of love. He
saws: so far as my experience goes
love between men and women isn't a
particularly noble sentiment"
The solving of their difficulties comes
in an unexpected manner and is rather
cleyerlv handled The writing seems
hurried at the last and does not ap-
pear so genuine a, journal as at first.
1t is a strange book and the reader
wavers constantly between pity and
wonder. 1t will attract attention
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28
Books Received

"The Arabian Nights, Their Best Known
Tales, edited by Kate Douglass Wiggin and
YORK -'i'''e' ''
stephen A. Douglas. His Life. Public serv-
ices. Patriotism and Speeches. by Clark e.
Carr; A. c. McClurg company. Chicago
The Best Of the Worlds Classics" 10 vols.
selected By Henry Cabot Lodge; Funk vag-
The Better Treasure By Mary Raymond
Shipman Andrews; the Bobbs-Merrin company.
''sparrows the story of An Unprotected Girl
by Horace W. c. Newts; Mitchell Kennerley.
The Man Shakespeare and His Tragic Life
story, BY Frank Harris Mitchell Kennerley,
Cyrus Hall Mccormiek. His Life and Work.
BY Herbert n Casson; A. c. McClurg company.
The Law of the Range, by Wayne G. Bar
Boston
Hawaii and Its voIeanoes." by Charles H.
Hitchcock; the Hawaiian Gazette company, Homo
something Of Nea Have Known" by Adlai
E. stevenson; A c. MeClurg company. Chicago.
"A Smokers Reveries. by Joseph knight; H.
NJ. Caldwell company, New York.
'"The World OF Suckers by Lionel Josaphare;
'.On the Old Kearsaees By cyrus townsend
Brady; Charles Scribners Sons. New York-
he Boy Pioneers sons OF Daniel Boone BY
d. Q. Beard; Charles Seribners sons: New York
= Poisson lone and Pere Raphael by George
W: Gable: Charles scrihners sons New York
John Mcbride company. New York.
.ReeolIections Of Fire Insurance Man. by
r. S. Critchell: A. c. Meciurg company. Chicago
'-Triune DEVELOPMENT" by Anna Jenness Nil
Ter: the Triune Order. New York
''Musicol0ry," by Maurice 5. Logan; Kinds,
Noble & Eidredge. New York.
The Clutch OF Circumstance" BY Arthur Z.
HARDY Mayhew publishing company. New York
.Tto Heltef SHELTERS" BY George DauIton;
Frederick A. Stokes company. New York
.Heechy," by Baroness ven Hutten; Frederick
A. Stokes company. New York
The Flute OF the Gods. by Mary E. Ryan,
Frederick \. Stokes company New York
'Diek In the Everglades. BY a. ". Dimock;
Frederick y Stokes company. New York
Cadillac" By Robert Barr; Frederick A.
Stokes company. New York
The VEIL By Ethel Stefana Stevens, Fred
erick A. stokes company. New York.
"Jndying Waters by Frances Parker; the
c. NJ. Clarke publishing company. Boston
''The Bitter" BY Walter s Cramp the c. VI.
Clarke publishing company, Boston,
The Fl0rentine Frame" by Elizabeth Rob
bins; Mofat Yard & Co.. New York
The Loving Cup Teasts'' edited By Wilbur
ID. Nesbit F. +. VOlland & Co., Chicago
"A Curb 10 Predatory Wealth" BY W. ".
Marshall; X. I. FeDHO & Co. New York.
Personal Information for Boys. b. Ernest
Edwards: r. r. Fenno & CO., New York.
The M0s'ern Mother BY Dir. r. lang Cor
don: r. F. Fenno & Co.. New YORK.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28

nv new story. The Lords Oh hlgn
Decision he went on, Pand thats per :
fectly natural. Baseball is one or the
hig features of American life, and the
men who play. the game are ah9ng ,lro' .ne
most interesting 1 have ever known
And some of the crack performers nave
been coal miners.
I'm not interested in transatlantic
marriages, though did a tale, The
Port of Missing Men, that almost had
a duke in it.
i've been all over Pennsylvania get
ting material for The Lords or Hlgn
Decision I've mingled with the min
ers in the anthracite country and gone
with them into the pit The fact Is
/ was in the coal mining business my
self for three years; that was in Colo
rado, and know how mans back
feels when he has crawled through a
three foot VEIN
Il don't read much fiction any more
except o. Henry and Balzac. I'd al
ways wanted to know something about
o. Henry and knew nothing until /
read an interview with him in a New
York paper that told me just what |
wanted to know. He has the truest
eye for American life Of anybody l
know and I'm always indignant when
I read one of his little masterpieces to
think I didn't see it first. Funny COM
and Cardinal Newman's sermons are
my favorite things in prose, and read
the old poets a great deal, including
Old Walt who had, as the farmer said
about Emerson, a good many of my
own ideas.
Mr.. Nicholson has lately purchased
a cottage on the south side of Mack
mac island on bluff overhanging g
the straits oft Mackinac and expects to
1,a1f in ba fsrttt
The house was built and has been
owned by Gilbert White of Grand Rap
ids, father of Stewart Edward White,
the author of '4The Riverman" and other
books 1t adjoins the summer home of
Hugh ID. Hanna of Indianapolis. Stew
art White was long a resident of the
island, which has otherwise been iden-
tilted with writing folk from the be-
ginning of its history. Constance Fem
nimore Woolson, whose novel Anne" a
story of Mackinac, is in every house on
the island, is still remembered hereby
old residents Jesse Lynch Williams,
author of many stories and whose name
is as familiar as that of his grand
father, railroad pioneer OF Indiana,
has spent most of the summers of his
life there. Mary Hartwell Catherwood
wrote many tales of Mackinac, whsre
she was summer resident for many
years. William Vaughn Moody, the
poet critic and author of The Great
Divide is well known on the island
and had a cottage there this year.
Booth Harrington and Charles Major
have been frequent visitors.
Mr.. Nicholson has begun to remodel
the house to fit ii for residence in all
seasons and is providing himself with
a workshop on the third floor with an
unrivaled view of the long procession
of ships that pass through the straits.
He intends to return May ! to remain
until the snow flies next winter. He
finished his novel. The Lords of High
Decision published by Doubleday.
Page & Co., while a resident there this
year.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28

married life. and it takes nearly 400
pages TO tame these two high spirited
and mistaken young people. Callista is
too ready TO sacrifice her life's happi
ness, and after marriage the strong,
masterfui Cieaverage becomes a sulky
and irresponsible nonentity for while.
The 'denouement bids fair to be very
exciting, but is unconvincing in view
of the characteristics of the hero.
One welcomes the happy ending. how
ever, and the story as a whole is sat
isfying.
The character drawing of some of the
others ia the book is well done, par
ticularly little Ola Derf, a girl with
gypsy ways .life. The pious Widow
Greeyer, sister to Lance Cleaverage,
furnishes some excellent humorous bits,
and her irresponsible daughter is al
ways welcomed on the scene.
There is a big story in this book and
some fine work; a marked Improvement
is shown over the authors Judith of
the Cumberlands'' fine as that was, and
one can not but feel that great
things are in store for this writer. The
publisher tells US that Miss MacGowan
rode a thousand miles on horseback
through the inaccessible portions of
Tennessee and North Carolina gather
ing her store of knowledge of these
people. Her book shows the serious
study of her subject and deserves much
praise. 1t contains illustrations in
color by Robert Edwards showing much
sympathy with the text
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28
"The Dupe''

BY Gerald Bliss Published by Brentano's,
New York
The Dupe' is partially a detective
story. but 1t is so many other things.
too. that one is tempted to call 1t wild
tale of adventure rather than anything
else. Every page is exciting. not one
moment can the reader stop for breath,
and that is a recommendation indeed
for people who like such excitement
The first chapter shows US a murder
and the murderer is as cold blooded and
merciless as a man well can be. No
mystery is made OF any of the incidents
leading up to the murder---in fact,
there is scarcely any mystery about
the book. One sees the whole story at
the start, but that fact does not in
any way destroy the pleasure in read
ing it. One follows the exciting chase
of the murderer with the hero as if
ones life depended upon it.
The hero is fine young chap. a
little precipitate in his love affairs. but
otherwise normal and decidedly likable.
Almost anybody reduced 10 the fearful
straits which he was would have sue
cumbed 20 a like tempting offer. but
he seemed singularly guileless-
The story itself is good and Is not
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28
"An Unofficial Love Story"

By Albert Hickman. Published BY the Cen
tury company New York. Price 81
..There are many kinds Of love
stories" says the author in opening
this story, but I Think this is new
kind: besides 1t is true Truth is so
much stranger than fiction that you do
not like to write 1t, because some peo-
nIe are reasonably sure to doubt It's
being truth, and then they are equally
sure to say that your sort OF lnven-
ton shows that you lack common sense
and good taste. But in this story there
are certain little things that will con-
vince your inner judgment that 1t IS
plain truth, after all, and shah De
freed from blame"
Now, as an opening, that is not bad,
but If you think the little book lives
up to that opening you are very mueh
mistaken. The author works very hard
to make his tale unofficial and unusual,
but he only succeeds in making very
bad imitation of Anthony Hopes early
successes. like the "Dolly Dialogues
the sIndiscretion of the Duchess, and
others.
Marjorie Dyer is the unconventional
heroine of this tale, and is past mas
ter in the art of flirting. She has
never been in love, but 1t has become
a fixed habit with her to annex every
new man who comes 20 the little Cana
dian village where she lives. Arthur
Morley Mott-Trevor was an agent or
the foreign Office and he was suddenly
sent to this town. Miss Dyer sees him
and wishes to meet him. but is unable
to effect an introduction: so out on the
ice one day she skates deliberately into
his arms A sudden and extraordinary
friendship results, and some or the
unconventional pranks this young lady
plays would make one think she had a
most Indifferent and careless family.
There is never a suggestion of cha
perone and she and the young man
engage in a series of remarkable ad-
ventures.
The average young man would night
shy of young person allowed such
liberties as Marjorie. but Arthur falls
desperately in love and she with him.
and so it's all right. 1t is scarcely a
book to recommend to young girls, un-
less they have a well developed sense
of humor and will not take the fool
ishness of the book in earnest.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28
Brief Reviews Of New Books

An interesting guide book is some
thing new underf the sun, and when
it is about our own country, inspires
more than the usual enthusiasm. Mrs.
Harriet Earhart Monroe wrote Wash
ington-Its Sights and Insights," sew
eral years ago and it proved so sue
cessful that it has been revised and
brought UP to date. The book is prac-
tically condensed history.of Washing
ton and written as 1t is in a pleasing
and unconventional style, will be of
much value to the sightseer. 1t is
fully illustrated and deserves its as
sured popularity. (Funk & Wagnalls,
New York. SD
IAN American Transportation Sys-
tenn" by George A. Rankin, is based
firmly upon a foundation of practical
knowledge, the best statistics and a
thorough acquaintance with the liter
ature of it's subject. 1t should have
a profound effect upon the railway
problem which, in this country, is one
of peculiar difficulty and compleXity.
The book criticises the past with
suavity and good nature, but for all
that its criticism is sweeping and
scathing. The book on its destructive
side deals firmly but gently with the
past; on its constructive side 1T sug
future Improvement. &c. P. Putnam
& Sons, New York and London.)
A fine literary production is the es-
say by Temple Scott on THE Pleasure
of Reading the Bible" The author says
that he has written the essay 'iR order
that I might help to reinstate the bible
in its rightful place and some readers
of today will resent that, thinking it
is already there. The paper while stat
ing that there is nothing to explain is
strong in analysis and one must con
fess there is still much left to explain
even if read only as literature. The
essay is daintily bound in boards and
is an attractive gift book. (Mitchell
Kennerley, New York. SO cents.)
Joel Chandler Harris needs no words
of praise. His own name is his best
monument, for America appreciated
him and knew when he died that she
tellers. "The Shadow Between His
Shoulder Blades" is a little classic. 1t
is a strange tale of civil war times and
tells the story of two faithful soldiers
of the union and a spy. The girl, Mar
garet Featherstone, is fine bit of
character drawing, but the authors
best work was spent on the traitor.
Bushrod Claiborne, and on Billy San
ders. The shadow between his shoulder
blades is the shadow that falls over
Sanders whenever he thinks of that
black thing a-swingin' in the wind"
That was the body of the spy. tSmall,
Maynard & CO.. Boston. so cents.l
Miss Helen Green is living refuta-
tion OF the accepted saying that women
have no sense of humor. Her sketches
at THE Actors Boarding House were
heartily appreciated from one end of
the country to the other. She now
writes a series of sketches around a
fascinating criminal, Mr.. Jackson .
and he is so much better than the vic
Tins he plucks that we are entirely in
sympathy with him from start to fin
ish. MIR. jackson" is kind and help
full to a few characters In the book,
and you may be sure they deserve it.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-28
"Sparr0ws"

By Horace w. c. Newte author of ''The
square Mile, etc Published by Mitchell
kennerley. New York. Price $3.50.
After railing against problem novels
and books filled with discussions of the
sex question it is uncomfortable to be
obliged to retract all statements and
go completely over to the other side;
but this novel makes one do it and
viii win praise from all classes of
readers. It's subtitle, The Story of
an Unprotected Girl" is an indication
of what one may expect, and not for
one line in the story does the reader
realize that it is fiction. 1t is a strong,
Impressive narrative of real life and
carries conviction with it,
Mavis Reeves is a young girl of gen
tie blood Her father has misfortunes
in his investments and she is removed
from the fashionable boarding school
and placed in a respectable but very
cheap one Soon her father dies, leav-
ing just enough money TO pay for the
remainder of her education She is an
orphan now. and friendless also. but
the kind women who manage the school
take her on as an instructor. so she is
provided for for a while. They, too,
grow old and their school falls to
pieces and Mavis must go into the
world TO earn her living. The awful
horrors which this refined. innocent
girl encounters have been variously
described before. but we have seldom
found them all in one book
1t is not too much praise to say that
many of the pictures and passages in
the book are worthy of Dickens and
the multitude of charac cters in the story
is also reminder of the great realist
The reader viii be reminded of Frank
Danby's" picture of the life of London
shopgirls. but this is a ruder and more
realistic drawing Cicily Hamilton
pictured the evils of the living in"
system in London shops most effect
lively, but her book was little more
than a sketch. while this contains 533
pages, closely printed, with. narrow
margins. 1t is no small task to read
a book of this size. even allowing for
certain legitimate amount of skip
ping on the part of the hurried re-
viewer, but one can't skip in this book;
every word insists upon its own i'm
portance and one simply can't leave
any of the story unread.
Though this story is set in London,
the same abuses are to be encountered
in any large city, and a book like this
should rouse the reformer to active
work.
The reading public has become accus-