Gunnison news-champion., 1920-08-20

THEW writer's OF American fiction
1r" better qualified To present
IN" early history Of Kentucky
than Is James Lane Allen. himself
native "f the Blue Grass State.
He chos" as his setting for The
Choir Invisible" that picturesque pc
Rod during washlngton's adminlstra-
ton when the Mississippi was just
being opened for navigation. and great
tides ~ pioneers were mlgmrIuc
through the Allegheny highway 10 set
tie the sparscly populated regions OF
,he West aud South.
Lexington, Kentucky. chancIn. to be
directly in the path OF one tributary
Of this CurrcrS. received not only many
Of those who were abandoning the
cities ~ the coast for the untrIed ter
ritOry Of a newer land, but also others
who. having tested ou; the Utnpian
western country and left there health.
wealth, and dreams of success were
returning hrokcn-h"arted to the homes
from which they had come.
Hence in Lexington one encountered
persons Of every class.
II was a heterogeneous pouulace
high Of courage and strong OF forti-
tudc, that amid clearing I'm forest and
canc-hrnke laid the foundation OF this
fine old Southern city; populacr not
10 be daunted by discomfort, priyntion.
or unceusing toll.
The heroes and heroines who thus
sacrificed their lives on the altar of
civilization have, the author tells us.
long since Joined .'the choir Invisible
NJ the immortal dead" hut they have
left behind them heritage that has
come down to us through the centuries
The chief character of the story IL
John Gray, the mHster in the little log
schoolhouse. and we have q charming
glimpse Of him: "a young fellow Of
powerful build lean. muscular. wear
ing simply but with gentlemanly care
a suit Of black which was relieved
around his wrists and neck by linen
snow-whIte and of the finest quality"
He had n handsome head covered with
thick red hair. we are told. and was
man OF such integrity as to render
him n worthy descendant from one
Of Cromwells unconquerable, hymn
singing army"
We therefore are not surprised to
find him holding himself aloof from
the follies OF the time. and seeking out
the cornradeshlp OF those TO whom the
finer and nobler things OF life appeal
Yet he Is very human-a creature of
anger. passion. and multitude OF
moods. Moreover II is quite consistent
with his character that he should fall
In love with woman whom he
ldeaiizes, Amy Falconer. who "was
perhaps the first beautiful girl of aris-
tocratic birth ever seen In Kentucky,
and the first 81. the famous train Of
those who for hundred years since
have wrecked or saved the lives Of
men," She is coquette, vain. shall
low. and Incapable of deep feeling. and
she tosses Johns love aside In n mo
ment of piGue for that of Joseph
Holden: afterward. on discovering that
there is a prospect of Johns inheriting
fortune and becoming a person Of
Importance, she shamelessIy offers to
rid herself OF Joseph and r,.insfate
John In her graces.
John Gray, however. Is not to be
so lightly dropped and picked up again.
The episode proves to him that his
| idol has feet of clay. and with his
faith in her shattered he bids her fare
well.
| Amy. In the meantime. has made her
home with her aunt and uncle. Major
and Mrs. Falconer. Mrs. Falconef
"a