The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-16
"The Egotisticni l."

BY Ellen Wilkins TcmplIips 81 net
Under this odd ana not altogether
fitting title. Miss Tompkins has writ
ten 4 littlo book Of rnre and delicate
charm. not unworthy to be compared
with James Lano Aliens exquisite ~
kentucky Cardinal" which it rcscm-
blcs IN outline
Dedicated TO tho Imaginary Lis
tcucr." the story uutolds chiefly TO such
figured auditor the loisurely, gentle
philosophy Of i Kindly old man. u lover
Of nature. OF animals ana Of his fell
I low men. Nursing HIS plants, tending
his roses. guarding his vines, tho old
man moves about his old fashioned gar
cen. dreaming of other days. thinking
os other people and planning for their
future happiness His only egotism
lies in The f;,ct Tint lie tells his story
in the first person. Tor tho author has
made of him. pottcring about his old
fashioned garden. an old-f2shioned gen
tlomar, VINO considers the feelings. tho
desires. tie needs OF others not ONLY
tirSt, but all the time
Hut eenllo AVID simple q he IL, Tim.
othy. as those who love him best know
him. is not devoid OF Il quaint and
Whimsical sophistication, as witness
TWO a the earlier chapters Of the lit
tie story. entitled, respectively, "EIvpo-
critics Ail' and The Gentle Art of Con
verSatiou" IN which he sets out his
doctriue-paEa immoral. If you like.
but certainly of The harmless and even
helpful immortality that sinooths away
much q The ruggcducss OF lifc-of the
White Iih
Rut while the old mans broad and
generous scheme OF life, his insight
into the moods and meaning OF nature.
OF growing things. his appreciation OF
the value OF little things" his phil
'oSnphy of LIVING, III - word. form the
greater merit Of Miss Tompltns's book,
there is also . story in The Eeottsticul
IT, Not Of tho mus!ng old bachelor.
however, for his race is nearly rum
but OF two young people whom he loves
Ills next door ncighbor, The Youthful
Poss!mist. is 4 deliCiously Wholesome
young girl. feminine TO her finger tips,
vet of pretty wit. All her life he
has loved hcr-indecd, he loved her
mother before her, and his garden IS
not complete Without her. There comes
also into the garden young doctor.
ANA because the two seem To be HntaiS-
onlstic the kindly philosopher of the
garden IS distressed. So he beEs tho
doctor. FOR his sake 10 be nice TO The
Youthful ressimist
The inevitable happens. to the utter
ds'onishment OF the unconscious match
maker and. after a bitter moment or
two for the girl--described by Miss
IompiSirs with touch of very gen
upc pathos happiness follows
Besides the dominant figure OF the
old man and the actors in the little
10y" drama, the author has introduced
number OF characters marked 10y
synpathetic humorous, or aatirical de
Hn"otion- from the "catty" figure of
rcighborhood gossip 10 Thoroughly
human tyrant of a negro servant, who
viii bc sm!lugly ana Familiarity vel
come! hy all who are accustomed TO
The despousm OF long established
southern servants
DESPITE some minor Deculiarities OF
punctuation. matter after all, large
lr dependent upon the personal equa-
ton The Esotstical l" is not only AN
c<collcnt piece OF work but a very
charming story. enhanced In value BY
tho sound and sweet philosophy by
which Il is pcrmeated