The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-14
N VobIAC (rloLlET

after he published "Roderick Random" In the height of his reputation. yantes. Afterward critics tore him to pieces and denied to him place even with Richardson. The praise was az little imagination and certainly he had none Of the genius of a Cervantes. In his own lesser field. however, he was vigorous. healthy force. smiting re- freshing though rough blows at the sentfmerftalaties and absurd poetics or the literature Of his time.
 He was coarse; but 1t was the coarse ness not of a pander but Of man dar- ing enough to paint his contemporaries and their day as they really were. The fine gentleman of his time did not bes- 1tate to use coarse langaagSS i uhecSed an bes tee presence f,nyo5 of wome9 !; hS Tbs shoS Sishflown novels of that century had put high- flown poetry into the mouths or the heroes, though in real life those heroes
 smorett never pretended that indec. ency was fne and though he treats ~ unblushingly, he never toyed ana wan toned with 1t as did Laurence o.ei"e' who had a much finer talehI
 Rodertck Random's grandfather was q fine old gentleman, who She same old generous Kindness towu t his children as toward the berears who came before him as mag Sstrate. So keen has his sence or Jus flee ana family. that when his young lest son married against ms Wisnes' N ne kicked the lad out and refraineo wIth ko much firmness of his character i,on, helping him that his young wife oieo From want.
 The wretched young man was out or his senses for time and then aisap- peared completely. His fatner sent Ior the baby that had been left behind and had the child, boy named Roder- fck, brought up in a village near oy' VI which he was dictator.
 He did not trouble himself to pay for the lads board or clothing, anu Rod- erfck grew up ragged and practically homse1ess, subsisting on the omerings tof the 1ndigent tenants. who loved him because his father had been thelr dari- ling.
 His cousins, who lived at the Hall. hunted him down whenever they saw lhim near the place. The schoolmaster, who gave tuition to him through rear Kof his grandfather. repaid himself by making him whipping boy. Tnese ar fronts, instead of breaking his haugh- ty spirit, only increased his prfde and temper and involved him in continual scrapes, but they served him well In another respect, for they imbued him with determination to learn.
 Therefore though Rojerick grew up h ragged vagabond in appearance and manners, he still became an excellent tstudent, more than proficient in Latin land Greek and we'll versed in the Esciences.
 When he was about IA. his mothers brother, Tom Bowling. naval lieuten- hnt, learned how i'll he was being Treated and lost no time in confronting khe old squire. He introduced himself unfortunately but striking by killing Ea dog that opposed his entrance and by threatening the squire's heir, ,Roderick's 8 hlder cousin with, good rubbing down from anoaken towel.
 q am sure the Moors in Barbary 5have more humanity than to leave their little ones in want" said the seaman. 6halring his head at the enraged squire. .Consider, old gentleman. you are go- png in short time to give an account bf your evil actions. Relieve your einfuI soul by settling his fathers por- tion on this boy
 To his great surprise Tom Bowiings diplomatic approaches were futile The sinful old gentleman died soon after ward and left everything to the elder nephew. Thereupon Tom Bowling fook the boy away with him, after at- tending to few details most impor- &ant of which was to tie up the school master and lay on fustily with cat b nine tails.
 He arranged with an apothecary to board Roderick, leaving funds enough Ito pay for his education. You shall never want while I live" said Tom, s'and all you need do is to fit yourself Tor your station in life"
 Roderfck applied himself enthusias- Ideally. Soon he became a favorite in the town. the more so since he de- lveloped @ talent for poetry. He was Aappy as he could wish to be. His entire world was permeated by a color of rose. He thought that everybody was kind and that life was blissful. One day letter arrived from the West Indies from Tom Bowling say- ling that he had been forced to flee From his ship because he had killed his commander. Captain Oakum, in a duel "I have no money to send you, my boy" he wrote, but I have asked the apothecary to take care of you nor my sake and let you want for nothing. as shall certainly repay him as soon as I can explain matters to khe Admiralty, who will not see an honest tar wronged. Captain Oakum struck me. so that had to fight him"
 The apothecary did not look on mat kers so enthusiastically. and turned Roderick out after forcing him to give Hp all his money except three shill- angs.
 The rose-colored world immediately assumed color of indigo. His friends eound 1t extremely difficult to remem- ber him when they met A school kime chum young Squire Gawky. freated him with such distinguished Edisapproba ton that Roderick borrowed a sword and challenged him. Gawky fled the town, and the young hero had the account published in the local newspapers. though he had to sell a golj-laced hat to defray the expense.
 He almost was stupefied with de- spaIr when he found himself thus avoided by mankind as if poverty had made him a creature of some obnoxious species and he accepted gratefully when MT. Launcelot Crab. the rival of the apothecary, took him In as appren- tice.
 His misfortunes had taught him what the caresses of the world were worth. He worked day and night to perfect himself in his profession and at last felt himself qualified to try for the position of surgeons mate on a cruiser
 He walked to London with another old schoolfellow, Hugh Strap, who was elated at Roderick Random's con- descension and friendliness. for he be- longed to a family that had supplied the village with shoe-makers for many generations. Strap cheerfully con 'tributed half his money for the joint expenses and in exchange took more than half the discomforts, besides car lrying the baggage
 Highwaymen, blackiegs, 'ruffianly