The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-10

|THE Ri b OF JENNIE CUSHING
By Mary J. Watts. The Macmillan Co.,
publishes. New York.
There ne few novelists today whose
position is more secure than Mary S.
Watts. She added in Nathan
Burke in 1.-The Legacy and in ivan
f1eve" at least three notable portraits
10 our literary gallery, portraits which
re significant in their presentation of
american types and important because
ftheir reflection of the essentials of
uman nature. With the publication
THE Rise of Jennie Cushing an
Their and equally remarkably char
cter is put to her credit. Here, as in
or previous volumes. Mrs. Watts pur-
ose has been to tell the life story of
ne Individual and to tell that story
Pmpletely, faithfully. with sympathy.
nd understanding.
In Nathan Burke Mrs Watts told
18th great power the story of man.
this, her new book, she does much
c same thing for a woman. 1.-The Rise
Jennie Cushing" is concerned with
tile other than Jennie's history, but
hat a history it is and with what
|nvincing power it is set forth! In
any ways it is suggestive of Van
eve" In the kindly humor that per-
[des it. in its shrewd comment en- So
PITY and people. and in the authors
re grasp OF incident and character.
theme. too, it is not unlike it's
edecessor, for both show how a full
alization of life was ultimately
hieved. though in the one it is a
hn's soul that is revealed. and in the
her a woman's.
When the reader first meets Jennie
Is friendless waif, soon commit
to the tender mercies of a reform
pry. That institution. however, proves
be the making of her and when sh.
ally leaves 1t In young womanhood
Is we'll fitted to cope with the
ergencies with which she is later
hfronted. These early days, as we'll
those which succeed them, days
ich mark for Jennie tremendous
ntal and spiritual advance, are WV
painted by Mrs. Watts. The story
ich she tells is really the story
the evolution Of an American girl
o had at tho start little more than
dormant common sense and an in
e right feellng toward Things Win
ich to fight her way.
he story is typically American. The
peal of 1t, the humanity of 1t, are ir-
istible.
THE HOUSE OF TOYS.
Henry Russell Miller. Frontispiece s.
cket by Frank Snapp. The Bobbs-
errill Co., Publishers. Indianapolis
the past the name of Henry Russell
er. the well known Pittsburg novelist.
been linked with such powerful stories
The Man Higher UP, and His Rise to
Fer." and 1.-The Ambition of Mark
lit" He has dealt with dig social, in
trial. political problems in books of
It weight and great merit, books that
vital force and were distinct contriDu-
to the thought of the day.
his new novel he strikes out along
h, new line. He has written a story
the story's sake. although within it
ind the same clear, clever characteri-
3n which added Sc much to the quality
ais previous PRODUCTIONS.
he House OF Toys" as his latest novel
blled, Is delightful bit Of sentiment
idealism-just a fairy-tale sort of a
with its plot laid In real, everyday
1t Is the sort of fairy tale one
enacted before his very eyes as he
way above the busy, busting world
n easy chair at the window in a
ring office building-one of those
tales of real life In which the gilt
of filmy wings and the presence of
exist despite its reality.
matter of fact, it is better written,