The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-20

There is a decided flavor of stockton
about this story, something OF Stock-
tons humor and not little OF tile
charm of his easy style. The resemp-
lance is suggested first by the plot
which is exactly the kind of mlx-up
Stockton delighted in and again by the
old New England farm house, SO low
tngly described, and the happy lives
led there in the later chapters py me
people of the story. Perhaps, also, tne
authors robust Americanism OF tone Is
a reminder of the older writer. Ger
tainly in the modernity of the plot ana
the evely-dayness of its thrilling al
ventures one recalls Stockton. But put
ting aside all question OF comparison
the story is in itself entertaining. me
kidnapping of a beautiful woman VINO
is, however, the wrong woman; the
description of the first vacation OF TWO
men who after years of hard WORK
and repression, find themselves at last
carried away by an outburst of youth
full enthusiasm. and the lanulhg VI
these people together in the New en-
gland homestead with its sane, stable
conventional, completely American at
mosphere results in situation OF
much charm and freshness. The thrills
of the story are particularly wen uohe'
especially the long ocean swim OF aga
tina and Jim The author is story
teller: she knows how to handle her
material and get the most from II.
There is no extraneous matter, there
are no details that do not have direct
hand in shaping the plot and driving 1t
on toward the conclusion.
Brian Hooker. who wrote the book
of the $4,000 prize winner in the met
ropolitan Opera contest, is ALREADY
known for literary criticism ana IoI
original writing in fiction. HIS most
recent work appears TINS nohth III
ssrryt- 1Tfa W
a careful analysis of Kipling's recent
work. as we'll as a comparison OF TINS
with his earlier stories. MI. HooKeI
has also prepared for The Nortn
American Review" two other articles
which are announced 10 appear IN
Forthcoming numbers
"Fenella'' is the title of a new book
by the author of Weeping Cross. III
is lust published by Doubleday, Page
& co. The story has wonderful APP
peal. Il deals with the eternal Verl-
ties of human life. 1t is compellngy
real and moving because it is splendid
" true. And the chronicle of this great
love. abandoned in blindness ana
saved through it's own undylng taltn
will rank with the finest-wrought OF
modern fiction.
The recent shipment to an Austria
liam concern of one thousand copies OF
Orison Sweet Marden'S books is an IN
dfcation of the circulation OF his IN
spirational works in all parts of the En-
glish-sueaking world. Transactions OF
DR. Marden's writings are beng mace
by German, swedish, and other foreign
publishers as fast as they appear, and
all his principal books can also now be
read by the japanese in their native
tongue Such worldwide interest is a
high tribute TO the real worth of these
notable volumes.
The Grand Duchy of Finland is at
tracing considerable political atten-
ton in Europe Just now, and at the
same time it's historical interest and
romance is drawing more and more
tourists to it. This makes George Rem
ick's FINLAND of To-Day" more inter-
esting than it might have been a few
years ago The writer showed his
faculty for the graphic presentation
of a people and land in his Roman
tic Corsica: Wanderings IN Napoleon's
Isle" FINLAND To-Day he presents
in all its interesting features. He an
alyzes the political situation, explains
brilliantly the Finnish music, painting,
sculpture architecture and literature,
and gives a mastery exposition of the
Finnish people and their social life.
Indeed, his book is the most complete
picture of Finland and the Firms yet
published.
General Frederick Funston recently,
before leaving for the Philippines, sent
to Scribner's Magazine the bulk of his
Forthcoming articles on hts Philippine
E-vDeriences" They begin in the June
number with 1.-The Making of a Regi-
ment,' the famous Twentieth Kansas,
and its sailing from San Francisco and
early fighting.
In view of the publication this week
Of owen Wisters Members of the
Family, some biographical facts con-
corning the author may be interesting,
for most of his many readers know
hin, only through his books Mr..
VVister was born on the 14th of July,
1850. and it was not until 1892 that he
abandoned his chosen profession the
law. and began to devote himself to
imaginative writing. For four genera
tions the Wister family has been prom
inent in the literary field and Owen
TVister comes by his talent therefore
unite naturally. His first literary pro-
duction was entitled Down in q Div
ing Bell and was published in the
bovs' paper at st. Paurs School. when
he was thirteen years old. His first
contribution to a standard magazine
eppeared in the Atlantic Monthly when
he was twenty-one, and as a poem to
beethoven. Since 1892 he has been a
rent magazines. His published books
include The Virginian, Lady Baltimore.
seven Ages of Washington and Philo-
sophy Four.
Messrs. Longmans will publish this
month the work on king Edward VII
as a Sportsman" in which Lord Mar
Gus Beresford, by command of his late
Majesty has assisted the editor. Mr.. A.
e IT, Watson. with information in re-
gard to the Kings breeding and rae
ing stud. Lord Ribblesdale, Master of
the Buckhounds from 1892 to 1895.
had undertaken to write the chapter
relating to hunting, but his accident
has. unfortunately, prevented him
from carrying out his intention The
necessary materials, however, have
been handed to Mr.. Watson, who has
himself written the chapter Sir Sew
mour Fortescue has contributed the
Introductory chapter on King Ed
wards general characteristics as a
sportsman. as well as the chapter re-