The Washington herald., 1913-02-16

seems 10 have disappeared. and through
| all is an entertaining vein OF humor
The little story is interesting and novel
and contains a moral lesson for those who
wish or need il. The volume may be
especially recommended TO mothers ~
parting gift TO sons who are going forth
TO conquer the world. for It will serve
as reminder Of several things the boys
should do. They will learn the lessons
while they are being entertained by the
lively and always upright Dawson.
LITTLE BOOK OF VERSE: By Leila Pea
body. Boston Sherman. Frrrcn & Co.
Miss Peabody, who is the niece OF for
mer Gov. James III. Peabody of Colo
rado. and a contributor TO the Colorado
Press. quotes from George Herbert on her
title page, "A verse may catch him who
sermon flies" and the aptness of this
quotation emphasizes the authors own
aptitude and Judgment in both the sub
tect matter of this group of poems and
their range and treatment as well. Into
her quatrains bearing such titles as 'Ex-
perience," Ambition" Insomnia" "A
Prayer OF Fate are condensed a fresh
point of view or a whole philosophy of
life, while Evening Song" "A Spring
Song" or German Slumber Song touch
the sweetness and sorrow of a poets
reveries
Poems OF optimism and hope add their
notes of good cheer to the authors mes
sage. which will appeal to him who
sermon flies"
SEVEN KEYEs TO BALDPATE: By Earl Der
BiEEers The Bobbs. Merrill Company. Indian
spolis.
AS the author himself puts it, Seven
Keys to Baldpate" is a story Of alarms.
excursions. and blue eyes" It presents
a hero who has a type of smile that
moves men to part with a ten until Satur-
day. and a woman to close her eyes and
dream Of Sir Launcelot," and a heroine
vino when she weeps gives the general
impression Of mist on the sea at dawn"
and introduces a dozen otner individuals
as different from one another as the
squares Of a crazy patch quilt. The plot
is of the capricously plausible sort made
sufficiently plausible by the light and airy
treatment that makes one feel that close
examination as to whether Or not it
would ever really ever happen is out OF
place.
The scenes are laid in a deserted sum.
mer hotel In the dead Of winter. The
place is Baldpate Inn, which clings to
the side OF a mountain that threathens
to tumble down at most any movement.
To this place comes Billy Magee. q nov
elist, who has been writing "the kind
they sell by the pound in the department
stores-wild thrilling tales for the tired
business mans tired wife" For Magee
has determined to crown himself with
fame instead of popularity. and fees to
Baldpate Inn (which belongs to his
friend Hal Bentley, where he hopes to
be able 70 write a powerful "highbrow"
novel whose pages shall avoid excitement
as earnestly as man lodging a creditor.
Quimby, the grizzled caretaker of the
Inn, who lives in the valley, escorts
Magee to the lonely hotel and sees him
installed amid the sputtering Of forty
Christmas candles, a cracking hearth
fire. camphor-ridden bedding, and a few
pieces Of furniture in room No. Z, on the
second floor. before taking his leave. But
there are seven keys to Baldpate Bill
Masee is not the only one who can boast
the possession of one-and much to his
sorrow. For hardly has he settled him
self before his hearth fire than he is
rudely reused from his reverIes by tho
intrusion Of the holder Of the key of
No. .. And from that time on. almost
10 the very close Of the story, Baldpate
drop into Baldpate Inn. Each
Of the winter guests gives a fiimsy ex-
cuse for his presence. when in truth, all
but the novelist and the hermit, are
a rainbow Of political intrigue of
ZOO. 600 in bribe money.
The story is brisk and lively 1t is |
: creation in original expressions, and |
he authors use and misuse Of familiar |
quotations certainly are humorous
THE ORDEAL: By Charles Esbert Craddock The |
J. b. Iirpincott Company. Philadelphia.
1t is a pity that after so many years |
The Prophet OF the Great Smoky Noun
ain should have so unworthy a sue
,essor as 'The Ordeal" Tho excuse II Il
ess In that the author has by no means /
the possibilities Of that stern,