Woman's enterprise., 1922-03-10

southern Europe between the years
lolo and 1888. The story is written
In the most admirable manner, and
though at times it becomes rather
dull for lack of action, one cannot
afford to skip any part, for each incl
dent has a bearing upon something
else. The reader who perseveres will
be rewarded by sudden bursts of in
terest which will more than repay
him for his patience.
The hero Of the story is Edmond
Dantes, lad of humble birth and
little education, who had procured,
through his own merits, the position
OF captain on ship. He was in
love with pretty Catalane girl,
whom he had planned to marry. but
on his wedding day he was cast into
prison for political reasons. There
he remained for eighteen long years.
Imprisoned in a cell about fifty feet
from that of Dante's was an old monk
whom the keeper of the prison con-
sidered insane, but on account of his
docile spirit he was sometimes al
lowed privileges which were not ac-
corded the other prisoners. With
the aid of the handles of some kitchen
utensils which had been given him
he managed to construct, in about five
years, a tunnel leading to Dante's
cell. A great friendship grew up be-
tween the two prisoners, and through
this friendship Dante received
liberal education and also learned the
hiding place of an enormous treasured
After several years, the priest died
and his body was put into canvas
bag to be carried out. Dantes ex-
changed places with the body of the
monk and in this way made his es-
cape.
The rest of the book tells Of his re-
turn to his native land, and of how,
after securing the treasure, he carries
out his long cherished plans for re-
warding his friends and furnishing his
enemies.
The plot of the story is we'll devel-
oped and the descriptive passages are
very clearly written. The author
goes a little too far in emphasizing
the power and greatness of the hero,
for though this exaggeration tends
to secure interest, it at the same time
arouses the suspicion that it is un-
natural for man to be so perfect
in every respect. "The Count of
Monte Cristo' is, on the whole, we'll
worth reading.
"FRANKENSTEIN,' by Mrs. Shell
ley. Reviewed by Nancy Stumberg.
After having read "Frankenstein,'
by Mrs. Shelley, one has feeling
that nothing is impossible. The
gruesomeness of the story is explain.
ed by the fact that it was written on
wager as to who could write the
most blood-curdling tale. Needless to
say to readers Of the book, Mrs. Shell
ley received first honors.
The story deals with a scientist
whose ruling ambition is to create
with his own hands a human being.
After years of patient experimenting
he begins the task; but though he
spares no pains in the hope of Great
ing perfect being, the thing that
comes from his hands proves to be a
soulless, uncanny monster. Murder
ing friends and relatives of his cre-
ator, this fiend in human shape
haunts Frankenstein, the creator,
with the hope Of securing mate.
Not until Frankenstein realizes his
mistake and determines to destroy
the evil genius does he realize the
power of the satanic, soulless being.
Much of the interest of the story !
lies in the setting. An explorer, on
an expedition in the land of ice and
snow, meets Frankenstein, who is
pursuing the abhored wretch that he
has created, and hears the tale from
him. Half dead of cold and fatigue,
Frankenstein goes aboard the explor-
er's ship, where, after finishing his
story, he dies. Immediately after
wards the monster appears on the
ship, and, not knowing Of Franken-
STEMS death, entreats the explorer to
obtain padon for his crimes from his
maker. A bit of pathos enters into
the story here as we realize that
though the creature is soulless, he
has nevertheless suffered in SHINING. |
The weirdness of the story lies not