The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-08-02
B O O K S
The Little Fiddler of the ozsrks'

In The Little Fiddler OF the
Ozarks. John breckenridge Ellis. the
author OF Fran has built another
interesting story around the quaint,
appealing personality OF girl whose
influence and character prove stronger
than those of the persons with whom
she is associated.
Norris, the Little Fiddler, has not
the talent OF Fran for whimsical phil
osophy. but she makes up for that IN
depth of feeling and singleness OF pur-
pose. Her problem is thrust upon her
when her father. Niles Gradley,
promising candidate for Congress, de-.
serts his career and family 10 run
away with a beautiful woman. veri-
table twentieth century siren. Nor
ris' mother loses her reason and Is
sent TO an institution and then the
girl goes TO her father. who has buried
himself I'm the Ozarks, to try To win
him back for her mother.
There she lis treated unmstly by
her father and as a slave by the siren.
Upon learning that her mother is not
being properly cared for, she tells her
story 10 couple of her noun
tain friends and through their help,
DISCUSSES herself as "A young man and
plays the violin for the neighborhood
dances TO earn money that her mother
may be well taken care of.
Even when her lover, chance viSi-
tor to the mountains comes. she re.
fuses 10 give mp her task. Finally az.
ter five years OF effort, she breaks the
spell of the siren over her father. who
then is so repentant that he tries &c
drop out OF his daughters life and
leave her with the man she loves.
But she believes that If she can
only bring her parents together, heI
mother would be cured. So she dons
again her disguise and wanders
again through the streets of cities TO
which her father might have gone,
playing an air we'll known TO him
which she herself composed.
And all the while the young man
wo was left behind is conducting an
Evangeline-like search for them both.
Mr. Ellis has pictured graphically
the falsity OF the reasoning or the I'M
reason by which individuals convince.
themselves that they can run away
from society and be law unto them
selves.
In doing so ii was eXpedient, or at
least il was the most obvious tning
TO do, TO give an example OF someone
making the mistake, In order 10 drive
home the desired lesson. That Is, 10
point the right moral the way one IS
not TO act is depicted. All OF which,
by the way. is bad pedagogy as well
as failure to reach the highest form
OF literary art. This is not TO be tax
en- to refer to the particular incidents
OF the plot developed. Any story must
have both good" and bad elements.
The question is. taking the work as
whole, does 1t leave an inspiration TO-
wards the good" or repulsion from
the bad" Is the net result positive
or negative in character?
Modern novels which radiate an ADJ
normality of atmosphere that makes
their net result for good negative III
quality ii not in quantity, are legion
II would be too strong TO base thls
criticism solely or even particularly
upon THE Little Fiddler OF the
Ozarks,'' which is a really charming
story. but IL is general criticism that
is in some measure applicable TO the
book. Laird & Lee. Chicago, publish
ers. 1926 net.
a New Book BY Prof. w. n. Tat.
Among its fall books the Yale unl'
yersitv Press will publish a volume
nv Professor Taft containing the sub
stance OF the eight lectures which he
has Just delivered at the University
on Some Problems OF Modern GOV
eminent.
4 tnI ha
are:
The small proportion of the people
in this country constituting the vot-
ing and governing part OF our nation
The present form OF government,
for which II was proposed 10 substi-
tute the initiative. referendum ana
recall.
Discussion and criticism Of initia
tive. referendum and recall.
Proposed primary election laws
A more perfect union, tracing the
development OF national power from
the drafting Of the Constitution TO the
present day, and a detailed discus
sion of the Pure Food Act, the Child
Labor Law, the Income Tax and 9TH
er measures.
The history Of the Federal power
in respect OF judges and courts, en-
phasizing the immense benefit con
ferred upon the country and espec-
tally the western and newly settled
districts. by the Federal judiciary.
Domestic tranquility and common
defense-a more efficient army and
continuance OF the policy OF two bat
tleships year
Professor Taft carefully presents
each subject, completing this in every
case with his own opinion and adj
vice.