The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-18

Running almost as wild as her own
thorough Inbred colts. Peggy Stewart.
J. years old, heroine of the novel OF
that name by Gabrielle Z. Jackson,
which has just been published by Mac
millans, is mistress OF SeVerndale. 4
fine, old estate near Annapolis. True.
she is but child in point Of years and
in her love for frolfc. but in her ab1l-
ity TO manage her fathers home she
is very mature person She does II
all by love- Every animal on the place
loves Peggy, while the old cOlOred
nanny, the butler and the other
. house servants fairly worship her. As
Peggy's mother is dead and her father
forced to be away from home most of
the time. this reign of love IS the reign
of SeverndaIe the year round
Mrs. Jackson has made the most of
her narrative Her style is crisp, de-
cidedly twentieth century in flavor, and
from the start to the end the story
moves with rush, never allowing the
interest of the reader to wane Tor
moment. The people in Peggy Stewar
as 4 whole are good acquaintance to
make, just the kind of friends one
likes to be identified with.
"A Living Without a Boss" has
shared the fate OF most anonymous
books and been claimed by a pseudo
parent. Some time ago a minor writer
and adventurer, before taking the dose
of poison which resulted in his death
claimed to have written the book.
i
had he followed the guidance of "A
Living Without Boss he might have
begun again in the country and
achieved success. Possibly at the last
he felt an earnest desire to be remem-
bered, not for his failures. but for
some effort to help his fellow-beings-
even though such remembrance were
not his due.
Janet NJ Youngs Psychological
Year Book Complete" reprinting the
popular first and second series. has
just been published by Paul Elder <
Company. san Francisco. It is a col
lection of magnetic messages from
many philosC piers, ancient and mod
ern, testifying TO the immeasurable
power of thought and will
Frank Harris. the London editor and
Shakespeare scholar, writing his list
of twenty favorite books has included
only one by an American author This
book is Sister Carrie" by Theodore (
Dresser, the best story, on the whole,
he says, which has Yet come out Of
realistic story which has Vet been
produced in England" The eager adj \
mirers OF this novel by Mr.. Dresser I
have had to wait long for a successor, /
for the author spent ten years of labor (
and thought before he brought out his
new book, Jennie Gerhardt." which
has just been published by the Har
per'S-
1t was James Whitcomb Riley who 1
"discovered' the late James Newton (
Matthews, and It was no less an au-
thority than the famous Hoosier bard
who first proclaimed him as among
the foremost of America s authentic
poets. In view of this pronOuncement. .
a peculiar interest attaches to The {
Lutte of Life collection of Mat /
thews' writings just issued by HoltOn !
& Co. OF Cincinnati, and in which
we find the Riley verdict amply vindi-
Gated. Here. truly, is new note,
distinctive method. without the usual
unhappy concomitant of a daring dis
regard for the reasonable restrictions
of arts authority DR.. Matthews was .
a first cousin of John Clark Redpath, .
the historian
1t appears that Miss Mary Johnston's .
war novel. THE Long Roll" is Great
ing heated discussion among the mem
hers of Grand Army camps Many OF /
the old soldiers contend that no wo-
man could have been the sole author
OF the work, because the book shows
so intimate a knowledge OF camp IRE
and campaigning during the civil war,
that no one but an active participant
could have described them as they are
described in the book All of which
is very complimentary to Miss John
ston's skill and care in writing the
story. As a matter of fact. she is the
sole author of the book. but she was
over two wears in writing IT, and in
OF volumes of Confederate reports,
manuscript recoIIections. etc. When
the book was entirely finished, it was
read in manuscript by two Confederate
veterans. and 1t is remarkable fact
that they found but two or three slight
technical errors, concerning military
matters
If there is anything in the theory
NJ heredity. it is not surprising that
Janes oliver Curwood is the author
of some of the most notable adventure
novels of today On his 1ather's side
he is n direct descendant of CAPTAIN
Marrvat the author of those immortal
tales which three generations have
gIoated over. Mr.. Curwood has made
one quarter of the gIobe-the vast Ca
alan peculiarly his own,