The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-12

tain to entertain the young reader. More
over, for the older reader, the splenoid
descriptions of western scenery and the
western dialect, racy at times, should
suffice.
Mary K. Maule writes of the west as
if she had been there. Unfortunately,
some of our western stories do not sug-
gest such environment for the authors or
them.
1.-THE Old Order Changeth," by William
Allen White. (The Macmillan Coz
Mr. William Allen White is one of the
foremost of the men in this country VINO
together with his co-thinkers, have insist
ed that the old economic and political or
der in this country shall change HIS
widely read and powerful novel. "A Ger
tain Rich Man." published July. 1909, re-
viewed in this paper, has already demon
strated how keenly he saw and wildly
depicted a certain type of Americans.
In this new volume of essays, Mr..
White tells us. not In the language of a
trained scientist but In the words of an
observer in the midst of life, that now
Is, something about the present status
of society in America. Opening with
discussion of the former democracy of
this country, the author considers the be-
ginnings of the change, the cause and GER
tain definite tendencies.
Schools Mr.. White. says, are the
mainspring of democracy and courts
are the check AS startling as this state
ment may appear to be, 1t is backed up
with a number of arguments which seem
to be conclusive. Mr.. White tells how the
man whom steam has educated, fed,
housed, clad, given leisure and vision, the
common man, rich and poor is ngntlng
with the weapons of fundamental democ-
49, ND fpdt
his own soul which make for greed and
oppression and misery in this land of ours.
Mr. White shows that we have here
combat of the expressing forces formed
by a new social substance. the basic ele-
ments of which, namely, democracy and
capital each useful In it's own way, were
released to the world in steam.
The last chapter in the volume is en-
titled "A Look Ahead" and Mr. White
closes 1t with these most pleasing words;
I'VE of this generation have done some
thing to solve the problems that steam
has brought to us. And we are by no
means done with our days work. In
deed, 1t is but dawn in the new day of
spiritual awakening. Let us touch with
those who( still sleeping, wear the JOY
of youth upon their faces, and say, with
the prophet of old, Arise, shine; for thy
light is come and the glory of the Lord
is risen upon thee.
1.-THE Man Higher Up" by Henry Rus
sell Miller. (Bobbs-Merrill Coz
This scribe is informed that Mr.. Mil
Ter is sending forth in 1.-The Man Higher
Up" his first book. Good for Mr.. Miller
and the book If Mr.. Miller is half as
good a man. as his book is, then he is
all right enough.
The scene of this story Is unmistaka-
bly, Pittsburg; there's never mistaking
Pittsburg for any other place, which Is
lust as well. Mr.. Meredith Nicholson
sometime since gave us what he intended
should show the spirit" of Pittsburg, In
his novel, 1.-The Lords of High Decision"
Comparisons cloud the atmosphere. they
tell US, but, Just the same, In depicting
that spirit of Pittsburg the experienced
novelist, Mr.. Nicholson, could doubtless
have received invaluable aid from the new
writer, Mr. Miller. II we are to Judge from
the two books. Having spoken:
The plot of this story. THE Man High
err Up," deals with Pittsburg and the life
Of a strong man, strong of body. strong
of will and in the end, strong of spirit.
This man makes his entrance into the
story as a small boy, a tenement house
waif. who does not even know whether
or not he has any right to the name he
bears AS newsboy, mill hand. ward
boss party leader, he fights his way with
firsts and will and brain, until finally tho
innate rightness of spirit in him makes
him recognize his social responsibility and
leads the man to use his strength for the
good of his city and his state. In Pitts
burg the strong mans biggest fight is
with banded political and commercial
grafters-in the book, OF course. The man
wins against the grafters, for honest gov
eminent, and then becomes mayor. and
then governor of his state.
This book, with meat in 1t, as the say
ing is. will please you. If you don't wish
mush.
"a Splendid Hazard" by Harold Mac
Grath (Bobbs-Merrill Coz.
You cant lose Mr.. Harold MacGrath,
as the saying is, and some, of us would be
distressed beyond measure to learn of
"Charlie Rossing, on that ready writer's
part Mr. MacGrath produces rapidly that
type of novel which the bookseller will
tell you causes palpitation Of the heart
in the younger person who buys Mr.. Mac
Graths books by lots and will insist how
lovely his books are; how soul-stirring.
how Sweet"
Well, Mr.. MacGrath knows, doubtless,
that the young persons s1.5ois backed by
Uncle Sam; then, what's the answer?
Take glimpse at this hazarding: There
was a young fellow, Jack Fitzgerald. who
had, poor Jack, only $1,000 per year. which
he is pretty dod-gasted sure, don't y
know. fellows!-wouldn't supply the girl
he loved, Laura Killegrew, hairpins per
1865 days: no indeed! Laura is beeyootiful.
certainly, and IL the daughter Of old Ad-
miral Killegrew, on the navy retired list,
with barrels OF money; the admiral. not
the retired list The admiral had all sorts