The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1921-03-11

ever eager to be back In England.
klNF ALL my books" writes
Dickens. II like this best.
It will be easily believed
that 1 am a fond parent to every
child of my fancy. and that no one can
ever love that family as dearly as l
love them; but, like many fond par
ents, have In my heart of hearts a
favorite child, and his name Is David
Copperheld."
The world In the main agrees with
the opinion of the great, kindly define
ator Of humanity, for David Copper
field and 'Plckwick Papers, hold first
and second choice with most lovers of
this English author of the middle Of
the nineteenth century. The reason Is
not hard to discover. The memory Of
the sad childhood of the writer forms
the basis of the novel. and provides
the personal flavor. II Is in many r.
spects his ablest and clearest book.
The narrative, moreover, moves from
beginning TO end In full swing with
mingled pathos and humor. The spirit
throughout is kindly, sympathetic, and,
above all, human. Mr.. G. X. Chesterton,
writing Of David Copperfeld' and Its
author, says: "He has created crea-
lures who cling TO US and tyrannize
over us. creatures whom we would not
forget II we could. creatures whom we
could not forget II we would. creatures
who are more actual than the man
who made them"
The novel begins with the birth of
its hero. David Copperfeld, six months
after the death of his father. An &C.
centric great aunt. Miss Betsey Trot-
wood. is present In the house. but de-
parts quite as suddenly as she ar
rived when she learns that the child
Is boy and cannot bear her name.
David's mother Is quite alone In the
world with the exception Of plain Peg
gotty. her devoted serving woman:
Peggotty. with no shape at all. and 50
very plump that when any little ex-
ertion Is made after she Is dressed.
some of the buttons on the back Of her
gown fly of.
Being however youthful and pretty,
Clara Copperfield soon marries the
stern Mr. Murdstone. who proves to be
not only stern. but hard and cruel.
On the occasion Of his mothers mar.
rage David Is sent with Peggotty to
visit her brother at Yarmouth. where
he, with his niece. little Emily. and
nephew Ham. occupy su2erannuated
old boat now converted into most
delightfully."- cozy home. Little Emily
with her winning ways grows very dear
to David. as do the honest fisherfolk
with whom she lives.
Returning home, David at once be-
comes an object Of detestation to his
stepfather. and In consequence Is pack
ed OF to school. Here his misery con-
tinues under master. or rather bully,
Creakle. whose chief zest In life con-
sists In the infiictfon of pain on some
helpless victim. The one BIT Of bright
ness In school life is attachment for
James Steerforth. handsome, deb
OMAR. dashing lad. with the faculty
Of making everyone his friend. But
school days are brought to a sudden
halt by the death Of David's mother,
crushed by her husbands careless tyr
rany. Peggotty Is dismissed and Bar
kis, the stage driver. whose courtship
has consisted In the singular message
sent through David Of "Barkls Is will |
ing" finally succeeds In making Peg
getty willing also.
After months OF utter neglect David |
Is sent to London. where he becomes,
at ten years Of age. a little laboring |
hind in dilapldated old warehouse. In
the service Of Nurdstone and Grimby. |
wine merchants. Half starved. wearied |
BY long hours OF labor amid repulsive |
companions. including Mick Walker
md Neatly Potatoes. David's life is a
continued torture. He lodges with a
dr.. and Mrs. wilkins Micawber and /
heir numerous progeny. Mr. Micawber.
always In pecuniary difficulties and
always expecting something TO turn
lp" and always In possession Of fine