Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-18
Reviews of New Books

by Dicks experiences lie was ever on
the alert and attentive to duty, and nat
urally found himself in positions to rem
der valuable service. His vessel was sent
to Hayti, on a mission to suppress re-
bellion, and before the venture ended the
boat was sent 10 Nicagraua where the
Marines did good work in spppresslng q
rebellion there. And Dick Constock
was conspicuous in the work of restoring
order
The story is most interesting through
out and, best of nil, imparts information
very valuable to young readers. Also,
il is we'll calculated to inspire patriotism
and devotion To the service of the country.
Received of the publishers.
''The Gingerbread House" BY Ruth
Brown Macarthur Illustrations, IN
color, by Hattie Longstreet Price
Philadelphia, Pa. The Penn Publishing
Co. 925 Filbert street Price 81, net.
"The Gingerbread House" has much oi
the charm that made Little Lord Faunt-
leroy SO dcservedly popular. II ls story
manly about little hoy Of nine years OF
age, but most manly lad, good-tempcrcd'
Of sunny disposition, and devoted to hlS
parents. His father, IN the time of tho
story, was n prisoner ne San Quentin, the
State prison Of California, tho result OF An
unjust conviction for n crime committed
by another His mother moved 10 n little
house in an adjoining county, To hc neRr
him. and there worked hard TO support
the two, waiting patiently for tho tune
when the loved husband and father would
bc restored to them, freed OF all suspicion
Sherman Rest, the boy. called their homo
the gingerbread house" hccnuae IT'S
weatherbeaten exterior reminded HIM OF
gingerbread
Mother and son screened their cause oi
borrow as far as possible from prying eyes
and kept to themselves. But sherman
met little girl of his own age, whom he
called ''Bluebells,' and they had great
times, including exciting adventures. Some
experiences they had suggested fairies and
both came 10 the belief that fairies really
existed IN The hearts of good men and
women Sherman who was also intensely
patriotic, became much Interested IN o
eoldicr nj n nearby military camp whore
soldiers were in training for work III
France. and adopted him IA his big
brother He became the oompany's mns-
cot.
After n multitude Of intcrrsting eSpen-
erces, some Of them thrilling and few
almost tragic Sherman and hiF mother,
through some trlhrlatiou, were gratfcd
bv securing what they most desired the
vIndication and release of his father Good
fairies IN Tho hearts Of good perEona
brought about this result and made
rrparation TO Shcrmans father for the
deep injury he had suffered And 50 every
thing ended happily.
A more delightful story, especially ap-
pcaring at this Joyous Christmas time.
could not be asked for II is also beautifully
printed and bound
Received Of the publishers.
Wilmer Atkinson. An Autobiography.
Bv Wilmer Atkinson. Founder Of the
Farm Illustrated Journal, Phlladel-
phia, Pa Wilmer Atkinson Go Price.
$3.50 net
IL was the desire Of Wilmer atkinson
to have the copy Of this autobiography, IN
the writing Of which he took a deep in
tereEt in the hands Of the printer on Juno
II of this wear. tho SDsh anniversary of
his birth But the hand Of death was laid
upon him, and on April 2S he died, leaving
his work slightly unfinished His family.
however. decided TO send the book forth
in the hope that Il may convey 20 its
readers somewhat Of his optimistic spirit,
ambition and high ideals that actuated hrs
life work
And this Il Is certain 10 do Mr. Atkin-
son was man oi keen intellect and much
force Of character. with sound business
qualifications industry and prohitv Also
Ee was a good Judge Of human nature Ills
story starts with lot Of interesting
family history He was raised on farm
IN Montgomery county. Pa. taught
( L Il Al .l
partnership with his brother-in-law. How
ard NJ Jenkins. bought the NorrIstovn
Republican for a thousand dollars, which
sum they borrowed Thus he entered w
on the publishing career which eventuated
in his founding of the Farm Journal that
agricultural journal Of marvellous growth.
OF famed excellence and large influence
which remains as a monument to his
genius and industry.
Naturally, the book is largely devoted 90
family matters. hut there Is a generous
element az outside interest IN its pages
OF special interest 70 Wilmington people
Is the portion devoted to his experiences
in our city, he and MIR Jenkins having
started, III October. 1866. the Wilmington
Daily Commercial. Wllmingtons first
permanent venture on the field Of daily
journalism For nearly ten years II was q
success. and then competition that over
crowded the field together with unfair
measures by some competitors IN the
business Of job printing induced them %
close their enterprise. and the CONNER
cial was sold 20 Every Evening Then he
went to Philadelphia and soon after
wards founded the Farm Journal. which
was a success from the start
There are many in and around VIII
mington who still have pleasing recollec-
tions of Wilmer Atkinson. of his genial
manners and kindly, sympathetic nature.
To al these, and TO many others, his
Autobiography will prove a welcome re
minder Of old times
Received of the publishers
THE Spell Of the Heart Of France" BY
Andre Hallays, translated by Frank Roy
Fraprie With 40 duogravures and four
plates in full color. Boston, Mass
The Page Co, SO Beacon street Price
boxed. SO, net
This volume Of the attractive and most
interesting Spell Series comes at most
appropriate time, when so many readers