The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-15

just the right proportions. When the
characters are made to talk their utter
ances are crisp, Individual and true to
life, and their conversation runs on
naturally and spontaneously. Not once
can it be said to be forced.
when Grandmother Ran Away is
particular charming story of the ex-
perences of restless old lady who hap
PLY returns to the husband who really
loves her. Miss Lucyanna's Busy Day
is another delightful little sketch in the
collection, one of the best in the book.
Though tragedy and romance are in
terwoven in these stories the general
point of view is that of comedy and the
outcome is cheerful. The author accepts
life rather than analyses it, and cares
first of alias the story teller should--to
keep her reader actively entertained.
Those who read The Making of
Thomas Barton" are bound to be cap
tured by the authors style and will look
forward with interest to more of her
work-fiction that is near to life
SALLY CAsTLEToN, SOUTH
ERNER."
BY Crittenden Marriott. Illustrated by
w. c. Wyeth. j. b. Lippincott Co.
Philadelphia.
Mr.. Crttenden Marriott, author of
his knowledge of the war almost at
first hand. Shortly after the close of
the war when boy of 10, he was sent
from kentucky to a boarding school in
Virginia. The other boys instantly de-
manded to be informed whether he was
a Yankee. He had actually never heard
of Yankee before and didn't know who
or what it was, but he very quickly
discovered that it was a term of re-
proach, and strenuously denied it. One
of the older boys, however. who was
studying history, found that his grand
father, Senator John ] Crittenden, was
the author of the "Crittenden Compro-
mise" which was designed to prevent
the impending war. That settled 1t, the
boys decided that both grandfather and
grandson were Yankees. Crit Marriott
went to school there for four years,
during all of which he was known as
the Yankee AS there was only one
other in the country, a lawyer. known
as Yankee Allen, he was decidedly and
unpleasantly CONSPICUOUS.
Years ago, when Washington newf-
paper correspondent, he found himself
stranded at the beginning of the long
recess of Congress-, and like everybody
else M Washington. he at once began to
look for government place to tide him
over the eight months till congress
should meet again. 4di
He applied of Frank A. Vanderlip. then
assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
Speaking of the result Mr.. Marriott said
recently: "Mr. Vanderlp asked me 20
write down what ! knew. so that he
might see If l knew anything. l did it,
l have always been modest. but in that
letter I concealed my natural feelings
and pitched 1t strong. When I read the
letter over / was convinced that a score
of government posts must be yearning
for me. gave it to Vanderlip, ard he
at once offered me the post of translator
to the bureau of the mint.
II gasped. I spoke no language but
English. though [ could read French,
Spanish. Portuguese and some German
I managed to keep stl. however, while
Vanderlip explained that my duties
would be to translate into English re-
ports that came in from foreign coun-
tries.
Said he: The former translator drop
ped dead yesterday and the commission
hasn't any list of eligibles. I'll be glad-to
let you keep post for as long as | can.
How long that will be l don't know.
Some senator or somebody may blow in
here tomorrow and demand It for a
constituent and ! may have to give it to
him. I've got to play the game like
anybody else, you know.'
Il took the post and held 1t for three
months, far as know with entire
satisfaction to everybody Then got