Arizona republican., 1919-01-12
I TERATURE AND ART
 .. Conducted by LEW HEAD

seph Hergesheimer, an achievement that falls just short of perfect DOT trayal of real things. Lacking in strenuous action, it presents the spec tacle of life in the days of the great American merchant marine of '49. It is a tale of choleric old ship masters who scoff at modern business methods in ship owning; of the subtle combat of the Far East with Puritan Salem; of beautiful gardens and women.
 It is easy to imagine the shock to Puritan Salem, one of the greatest ports, in that day, of the seven seas, when Gerrit Ammidon, of the Ammi- don ship firm, comes home from China with Manchu lady for his wife. The Chinese lady thrown full into the midst of New England narrowness and into the Ammidon family, with old Jeremy the retired master of the old school, snorting at the way the firm is run by his son William, fur nishes the beginning of a situation that must be had at first hand to ap- preciate.
 Other factors enter-Nettie Vollar, nameless granddaughter of old Dun sack, Jeremy's old rival, who Gerrit once loved and loves again; her drug ruined uncle; William Ammidon's s family; Salem gossip and society. The tale unfolds with an inimitable touch of drama: The Chinese, Taou Yuen, living in the midst of Puritans and unaccepted; Gerrit and Nettie Vollar drawing hopelessly closer and closer; dozen lesser figures winding in and out of life with their struggles and emotions.
 The story ends in the only possible way, but yet leaves a thought of many flaws. The writer's art demands that Taou Yuen end the situation with her death, but the way her death comes is distasteful. And it is imperative that Nettie and Gerrit go away together at last, and that old Jeremy Ammi- don die fitful death.
 l After all, Java Head must be read to be appreciated, and after reading | it, one wonders whether it could not be improved. But the story is diff ficult of handling, and one dare not say whether any one could do better. It stands out as something new and worth while in American fiction. -o-
 THE DESERT OF WHEAT" Zane i Grey's last book, being published by Harper's, will be ready some time this month. This is another western story
 the scene being laid in the Deschutes river country in Oregon, one of the most picturesque sections of the
 world. Down near Bend, on the Deschutes river, in the country where
 old "Bilr' Hanley is king" there is
 romance fairly bursting out of the
 buttes and deserts. Zane Grey could 1 not have selected an easier place tc tell a tale like the forthc oming one l Furthermore. I understand that Grey 1 takes a healthy wallop at the Indus
 trial Workers of the World, that were 1 caught red-handed in the Deschute: country in 1917. where wheat is lead. ing product. Phoenix readers vii
 relish this book.
 THE ARROW OF GoLD," by Jo.
 seph Conrad, is another patiently 1 awaited January issue. I am remind 1 ed of an incident in Conrad's life tha, is interesting. Two sailors, I am told
 shipped from an English port, severa
 years ago, bound around the Horn, and were shipwrecked on the wes
 coast of South America. They frater l nized when rescued, although neithe
 was known by his real name. The!
 parted company in Chilean town, on,
 shipping back to England and tn,
 other proceeding west to Japan. Man,
 years later. in one of Conrad's SC,
 tales, this very incident was picture'
 and brought forth letter of inquir.
 from John Galsworthy, the famou