Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-27

Edith BallinKcr Price. The Century
Company. New York. II. we think. this
popular Juvenile writer's most mp
pcaling book--and she has done some
charming ones before. being nnthor
OF silver Shoal Light" us and the
Bottle Man." ana blue Magic"
This one tells OF II big. fine naturcd
lad. his plucky sister and very
precious little blind brother solving
some difficult grown-up problems for
themselves while their mother is in
sanatorium. getting ready for life
again after breakdown. There is
none too much money-indeed. there
is far too little. But what these prac-
ticai youngsters do is To go out into
the country to an old farm. where lir-
Ing VIII he cheaper. and proceed TO
make home OF II. 10 piece out n
living. To make friends. to discover
an open door to lifelong happiness
for the little blind brother. and get
themselves into tho very heart OF as
touching drama of tho returned
prodiEal rs ono could ind Their
neSt-door neiRhbor tx an old musician.
who discovers tho small brothers.
wonderful aptitude for music and
helps him to turn his trembling de-
light In II toward the long. hard.
happy road To mastcry-to uscfuinras
and fulncss and JOY for this mai,ncd
little life. They do jolly, practical
things. these three. aud very poetic
things. They make n garden; the big
boy cnrns money by running a ferry
FOR summer visitors, and they celc-
bratc the little brothers birthday
with the sweetest ccrcmon!al--and
some verses which. while really
youthful are what no poet need be
ashamed To own
There Is excitement and suspensc
enough: the tiny. pathetic blind boy.
drifts unknowinGly out to sea in q
small boat. in smother OF fog which
makes his rescue but desbernt ia
chance. However. out OF this comes
the dramatic and surprising climax
OF tho whole story. 40 We won't SAY
more than that the child was saved
and great happiness brought TO SOW
cral people.
Part OF the friendly feeling one has.
almost n littlc lingering tenderness
toward tho book, is due to the sym
pathetic and delightful illustrations.
for they are done by the author her
self. II Is surely one OF the stories
which people a child's Imaginary
world for him. and worthily. which
Will bear reading and rc-reading.
CHRISTMAS DAVIS. By Mamie
Francisco Porter. Published by the
author.
This beautiful booklet. by Rich
monn author. Is II timely appearance
and appropriate for gift.making dur
ins the Christmas season. Dr. Al
phonso Smith. head OF the department
OF English. United states Naval
Academy. Annapolis. says: These are
k. mt L. A., A
with the spirit Of Christmas. do not
out receiving new baptism Of faith.
hope, and charity. the trinity that
makes Christmas what II Is"
THE CONFLICT. a HEALTH
MASQtE IN PANTOMIME. BY Ger
trud. X. Colby. Il. s. a. S. Barnes
G. Co. Sew York
Generally speaking tho masquc
may be defined as an allegory, while
a phSeanA Is representation OF an
historical event. THE Conflict" was
FIRST presc14cd I'm Teachers College in
May. 1913. 1t presents dramatically
The conflict between the forces OF Ig-
noranre and Enlightenment for the
possession OF Humanity. Much time
and labor mas been given To it's prep
clear presentation Of the various ele-
mcnts and their relation to each other.
The forciblc lesson which il teaches
places this dramatic production on n
high plane. 1t Will he welcomed By
those desiring good production
which Is something more than "a show
and which gives at the same time an
opportunity for dramatic expression.
THE BOY WITH THE L. S.
SECRET SERVICE. BY DR. Francis
Rolt- Wheeler. Lothrop, Lee & Shep.
ard Co. Boston.
The combination of accuracy and
thrill is the keynote of the ~. S. Ser
vice Series" and in no book Of tho
series has 1t been more necessary for
the author to be wary. The secret
Service OF the United States Is truly
secret service Its doings are most
jealousy guarded. Its secrets are
tenaciously held. It's work is OF the
utmost importance. and few people
are aware how wide Is the scope OF
its activities. In this book the real
Secret Service story is told with vivid =
ness, but without loose sensa tional-
ism. with accuracy yet without dry
pess.
ALIAS RICHARD POWER. BY
William Allison. Doubleday, Page &
Co.. Garden City. y. Y.
This Is story of mystery and swift
surprises. OF love and stolen strand
OF royal pearls. IL is the chroniclc