The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-25
SUNDAY

Hiram Blair" new novel by
Drew Tufts. and published by A
McClurg &, Company of Chicago, in
PRODUCES US to one Of the most loVaDle
withal inscriptions, characters IL
recent fiction. At first it seems prop
able that Hiram Blair will complete
Holden, David Harem, and Jethrc
Bass. But Hiram is unique; he Is
younger and more willy than any OF
these. If he lived in New York IN
stead of Indiana he would be grand
master Of the much abused "Ananlas
club" His Imagination makes one
gasp. The book j. running over with
pointed sentences that first make you
from the love story of Florence Bas-
sett and Walter Crane, deals with a
hot political fight between two rival
congressman. The campaign OF the
one least likely to win is adroltiy
managed by Hiram, whose fancy is
given full play He undertakes the
education of Walter, who comes to
know the dangers, the fascination, the
mammoth dishonesty of political life
"Walt, do you know why hen
wouldn't do for a .)Olytishun," muses.
Hiram, cit is cause every time a hen
lays a egg, she cackles SOS TO let
everybody know it.
Florence and Walter, who live in
rival towns, and tread the path that
never runs smoothly. interest Hiram
intensely He is their best friend, and
proves it in an exciting chapter.
His advice to Walter against ''Ltk-
kerr is good. 'N|uther thing rim it,
Walt It amt no good in love biZness.
1t makes a feller'-5 heart beat faster,
an when he's in love his hearts
workiu' overtime ez it is OF Florence
he saws ''Wimmin is like bosses.
They're a mighty sight harder to man
age when they're thoroughbreds, an
full of spirit and intelligence"
Hiram Eats an Expensive Meal" is
he f11n q Ia since r.
wick's Adventure with Lady n Vel
low Curl Papers" One reads 1t with
a perpetual grin crinkling the cor
ners of ones mouth. The indignation
his dinner, and had his half dollar
promptly confiscated as a tip, is only
exceeded by the indignation of the
waiter who wears "a coat tibet looked
like the COWS had been chawin off the
Hiram Blair, big, humorous. gener-
Gus hearted. is q character that will
go down into posterity-
Some of the problems to be dis
cussed by Professor Edward Alsworth
Ross in his Changing America on
The Century Co.'S late May list of new
books are the worldwide advance of
democracy. the falling birth-rate. the
increase in divorce. women in industry,
''eommercialism rampant" etc.
Two of the puDllcatlonS which will
hold a large place in summer fiction
this year, are announced by Double
day Pase & Co. for publication late
in May. They are both books of adj
venture and they are both laid in the
South Seas
One is "A Son of the Sum-" by Jack
London, series Of stories each com
p1ete in itself, but which make up one
complete novel, as they follow through
the adventure of ohe man. The stories
are told in the usual virile fascinating
style of Jack London. The other book
is THE White Waterfall" by James
Francis Dwyer. The story is laid in
Mr.. Dryers native South Sea coun-
try and is full of thrilling adventures
with which the author is not entirely
unfamiliar in real life.
Among all the stories OF the disastc-
to the Titanic" told by the survivors,
the narrative of Mr.. Lawrence Beesley
published by the Associated Press
stands out uniue for vividness, COM