The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-04
BOOKS.

In Colonel Todhunter of Missouri.
Ripley d. Saunders has created new
character In fiction an addition TO the
gallery of quaint American types that
are fast passing away. Colonel Tod
hunter Is a southern country gentle
man OF the old school, Kentucky born
and Missouri bred" as vhe says. He
starts on with your interest and SYM
pathy In the first chapter and holds
II to the end.
The colonel Is fighter who loves
the tight for Its own sake. I'll be
eternally condemned, subj" he says on
enc occasion IF I'd care the snap or
whip for winnin' that wasn't the
result Of the hottest fight We knew
how TO put up sub"
The colonel gets his hands full OF
fighting In the campaign for the nom
ilation of his friend, Judge Strickland,
for governor of Missouri. Against
him are arrayed the forces or the ma
chine and the moneyed interests OF
the state, but the colonel Is mighty
influence when he comes before tho
voters and sways them to his side
with his homely stories. dry humor
and enthusiasm for the cause OF the
old-fashioned democracy.
There is love story mixed In with
the politics, the coloneps daughter
Mary and the son Of Judge Strickland
being the principal characters In the
romance. Just at the height OF the
campaign young Strickland Is inJustly
accused of the murder of his rival for
the hand OF Miss Mary and the chain
of circumstantial evidence Is woven
around him 50 tightly that there
seems no hope Of escape. The colonel,
however, who has given up his cam
paign work to help defend the young
man, discovers the necessary addition.
al evidence that fastens the crime on
the guilty man and frees his friends
son.
the primary campaign and although
the early returns points to q victory
for the machine candidate the full re-
turns show the results OF the work OF
Colonel Todhunter and Judge Strick-
land wins the day.
The story, however, Is very unini-
rortant part of the book. The sketch
of the character OF Colonel Todhunter
IA what holds 1t together and gives II
an excuse for being written. His
stories, and reflections on Me make
the book, and one cannot help admir-
ing the kindly old war-horse especially
when he tries his hand at smoothing
out the difficulties Of the young lovers
OF Ninveveh.
Colonel Todhunter OF Missouri is by
Ripley ID. Saunder. and Is published
by the Bobbs-Merrill Co., Indianapolis.
IT may be found In the local book
shops.
AS the title would indicate Dropped
from the Fast Express" starts on with
a rush and continues to furnish thrill
after thrill to the last chapter. All
story of the sensational type are
mingled in this book, exciting adven-
lures, dark and thrilling mysteries
and passionate love.
The action takes place In London
high life with the race-course, the
stage and society functions mixed up
together. It Is story that rattles
along without any too close attention
tc detail or plausibility but holds tho
reader to the end.
Dropped from the Fast Express Is
by Fred M. White, and Is published
by Laird and Lee, Chicago. The book
may be obtained In the local book
stores.
When the American PRESS Humor-
lists held their annual convention In
Montreal last August they were the
guests Of the Grand Trunk Railway
System on their journey to and from
the city. Among other entertainments
provided for them was a unique
luncheon at the Isleway club, Lake st.
Louis, near Montreal, given by w. e.
Davis, passenger trafiic manager OF the
Grand Trunk System.
At this luncheon verbatim report
was made OF the wit and humor that
flowed from the assembled humorists
and 1t has been done into an attrac-
tive little book which is being dis
tributed by the Grand Trunk. AS
might be expected the volume Is full
OF brilliant witicisms and funny quips.
II makes a fine souvenir or the oc-
casion.