The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-15

60 RAND WHITLOCK, mayor of
Toledo and social reformer,
has given the world a new
book of short stories under
the title 1.-THE Gold Brick"
Five of the stories have
touches of femininity, though this is in
no instance of the ordinary love story
sort. While they are the richer for the
women folk who figure in them, the
purely political stories, especially 1.-THE
Coloners Last Campaign" and "a Sc
cret of State" are more than sufficient
in interest Most of the stories are
entirely separate from each other,
though several bring forward a num-
Der of the same characters, particu-
larly a bunch of Chicago politicians
and one or two Irishmen. A happy
idealism Is their dominant note. Ideal
istic they entirely are, as indeed is
everything their author writes, but
these stories differ from 1.-THE Turn
of the Balance" in that Mr.. Whitlock
seems to have felt while writing them
that truly honesty IS the best policy"
His characters make sacrifices for the
sake of conscience and find a reward
awaiting them around the corner.
The legislator who will not sell his
vote is appointed by the governor to
be state examiner. Integrity and
worldly success are identified, and one
feels that there is deep truth in the
point of view. The young senator who
loses his ideals gradually loses also his
power to make a convincing speech,
becomes fiabby and goes to pieces.
This is rather an unusual ethical note
and one which deserves the emphasis
that Mr.. Whitlock places on it here.
1t is a heartening creed, for it says
that q man need not wait for another
life to find that doing well pays. The
Bobbs-Merril company are the pub
fishers.
Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, the prince of
story tellers, is the author of a new
book of short stories published by the
Century company under the title of
1.-The Gufllotine Club" There is more
than a touch of mystery in each of
these stories, which are as different as
four stories could possibly be. The
characters of "a Diplomatic Adven-
ture" reappear in 1.-THE Guillotine
Alphonse. THE Guillotine Club" of
course, Is a most unusual and surpris-
ing organization, and acquaintance
with 1t involves all concerned in COM
plications both serious and amusing of
which DIR. Mitchelps telling makes the
Guest" is left unsolved at the end;
and there is no explanation of the
queer experiences in House Beyond
Prettymarsh." But 1.-THE Mind-reader'
handles a misery character and cur
fous murder and an intensely interest
ing tracking down of the criminals,
deity, to an unexpected and very sat
isfactory climax, which clears up ev-
erything The four are worth while
and unusual stories, and they are told
with the skill of a master.
Frederick S. Isham, whose entranc-
ing novel, Half a Chance" was read
and enjoyed by thousands. is the au-
thor of a new one, 1.-The Social Bucca-
neer," published by the Bobb-Merril
i company In abandoning the Ole
World and historic times for New York
and today. Mr.. Isham has distinctly
advanced his art. The new story ha!
made far greater demands on its au
thor, but these have been amply
met It is more complex, more deli
cate, better written, equally interesting
in a more elusive, suggestive fashion
Its hero is a wholly engaging, indeed
Irresistible Raffles or Lupin, but of {
new sort altogether. Charming Chat
field Bruce, a young man of first fam
lily blood" of large inherited fortune
which he whimsically declines t
touch. If keen ability in affairs ant
generous in charities, is suspected o
stealing a famous rope of pearls be
longing to the daughter of his pie
beian millionaire employer. Whethe
or not he did steal them is for Mr.
Isham's readers to find out. Whethe
dorfe Wood, beauty and belle, who ha
been attracted to Bruce both by tn
mystery surrounding his personalit,
and movements and by the large gift
TO her charities, and whose life he ha
saved. comes to believe that he ha
stolen them and keeps on loving hin
fust the same. The author advance
on behalf of his hero the ingeniou
theory that what Is taken from tn