New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-07
Books Hsywoo 1y B,oun

Writer'S Of popular fiction will not
neglect, we trust, the splendid ma
terial offered to them in the news Of
the last two days. Princes, cowboys,
miners. detectives, sea captains and
even psycho-analysts, as IN Louis
Vances amusing tale. 1.-THE Dark
Mirror" have all served their turn as
heroes of red-blooded novels, but no
recruit from any one Of these classes
seems to US by half SO romantic
figure as crusading clergyman. What
character, for instance, in modern nc
ton has adventures as thrilling as
those of the Rev. John Roach Straton?
AS he himself has said, he lives in
city "feverish, unbrotherly, over
wrought. God defying, woman despis-
ing, law breaking, gluttonous and
without ideals or restraint"
1t is Of such materials that the best
melodrama is wrought. OF course. we
do not advise any novelist to make a
Photographic copy Of the Rev. John
Roach Straton and place him in a
novel. He would seem overdone and
far fetched to the average reader
The book might be mistaken for a
burlesque rather than a serious work
of art. Moreover, any character in
fiction who used language such as
that In which Mr.. Straton INDUCES
when in full cry might possibly Of
fend a certain portion Of the reading
public.
However, followers Of popular fiction
have never been disposed to demand
the uttermost point Of refinement in
any red-blooded character. A little
vulgarity should be pardoned for tho
sake of the excitement. If Mr.. Straton
il somewhat deficient in restraint it
may all be attributed not to him but
to the city in which he lives. New
York owes much to D.. Straton. Since
the death Of O. Henry. few have en-
abled us to see our town Economically.
The Fanny Hursts and the Edna Fer
bers have taken us up long flights Of
stairs into the humdrumery Of Har-
lem. They have written stories for
US Of invalid mothers and tired women
who washed dishes. o. Henry made II
Bagdad on the subway, but DR.. Straton
has done more. He has found GRIM
son and purple in the dull routine Of
the big town. He has thrilled and in
spirited all weary ones by telling US
that Babylon lives again in West
Ninety Street, near Amster-
dam Avenue"
The casual observer who followed
the trail Of DR.. Straton in his Lenten
whirl about the city might have missed
all the rose tints which DR.. Straton
portrays with such skill Much is
hidden from the eye Of tho unframed
observer. Few would be able to find
adventure in crowded dance hall.
They might sec nothing more than q
rather futile and pathetic attempt on
the part Of great commonplace herd
to wiring little rapture by falling
over many feet TO the tune Of "Darda-
nella." 1t 10 even possible that they
might have found tho room little
stuffy and have left the place with
out once catching a single fash Of
hell Are.
But the hero Of our novel will be a
man Of moro sensitive perceptions. He
will and the room heavy with tho
fumes Of whisky" TO him will be re-
vcaled In the surging mass vampires
and sirens, and he will see strange
dances animated with tho blazing FIRE
Of warmer chimes. So why should one
long for tales Of tho far-off lands :?
Why need our heroes travel to Cairo
for strange adventure or be cast away
In Shanghai to battle with rampant
and vivid wickednossa Have We not
enough local pride to demand tales
laid somewhere east Of Amsterdam
Avenue? After oil, there is something