Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-24
HAROLD THE WEBBED: or, The
Young Viking. Trader Horn. Simon
81 Schuster

HAROLD THE wEBBED; or, The
Young Viking. Trader Horn. Simon
e. Schuster.
"If only some lads'd read this narra-
tive of mine. 1t might tickle
lads They understand runaways, same
as / do If only some lads VIII
read my notions. lads and their
fathers"
Trader Horn, talking, as he places
his new story in the hands of Mrs
Ethelreda Lewis, his literary partner
His true name. of course, is Alfred
Aloysius Smith. but it is safe to say
that he viii never be called by any
other name than the one that gave
him the astounding experience Of being
the author of "best seller" stu q
bit dazed with success, Trader Horn is
clear to the seductions Of popular au-
thorship So. here he is off again on
story, this time for boys. Fairy taleg
Rather, a scrap of Lancashire folklore
left over from this mans boyhood IN
the north of England and here turned
10 account in Horns new zeal for story
telling.
n appears that away back in the
dawn of things the old vikings were
much helped in their commerce wlkn
the sea through the significance of tne
fact that here and there one OF them
grew webs between fingers and toes, as
ducks and geese by similar odd con-
traptions have distinct advantage IN
the water over birds not so endowed
out of this tradition grew many a tale
of these historic water farers. the ylk-
ings. 1t Is one such that Trader Horn
here revives. or inventS, for the pleas
uring of boys. The young Harold
"webbed" of this legend, is truly of q
pattern to suit the heart of the world
greatest adventurer, the boy. Castles
and keeps and sea roverS and loot ano
sea fights and pageantries either back
this adventure or drive 1t ahead. ana
in the lusty outfaring 1t Is the boy
Harold, who keeps faith with the young,
sters of the male persuasion the Worlo
around.
IL the story itself, the grown reader
turns to the interludes that so frequent
~ here split the action. These are
the talks of Trader Horn as he slips
into Mrs. Lewis garden to discuss the
book, and about everything else. 70
the elders these conversations make
The pith OF the whole matter, though
to the boys they must stand as con,
founded intruders, plain nuiSanceS' II
you ask them.
There is something greatly engaging
about this Trader Horn and his DOCKS,
even though one suspects Mrs. LEWIS
of being ntne-tenths OF the literary
partnership This granted, which We
do not really grant, 1t is Horn himself
who captivates. An old boy who de"
spite long and adventurous career,
never did grow up. tremendously
pleased with the miracle OF his late
success, proud rs peacock, shrewd as
n trader before the further market
prospects Of the new craft, anXiously
wondering If with the cinema Ill
mind" this ought not TO be put IN or
that left out, wistful and whimsical in
the puzgling new role that has been
slipned over HINT Is, all said and
done, Trader Horn himself who is the
true winner in this game OF success.
"Ma'am. 1t seemed as II I'd been
waiting all me life To set down Whats
In the heart and bones of Lancashire
men. Proper folk lore that was told
to my grandfather when he was q
lad. Oh. III be o, X. The first
chapters always the critical period, so
George used to say No need to begin
with a learned history OF the vikings,
Macaulay STYLE Make one OF em live
and YOU sense the lot" Horn likes to
give Mrs. Lewis his notions of story
structure as Well he might, for III his
stark simplicity he Is SO right about
them. We'll, ma'am. the story of
these truant Morse lads is sure going
to be painted against background OF
veritahle history, I'm keeping the high
lights suhdued bit, no need TO
rush into dramatic panorama at the off,
set. Keep 'em In solution To lend color
10 the whole. And that's what I'm do
ing So here's chapter OF notable sohri-
ETY. after the earousals of the people In
the last one"~~and SO on In plain
sound sense ON many theme beside
that of story telling, A thousand ques-
tons come In welcome 81 this easy~talk~
Ing old man. who Is, indeed, an odd mix
ture Of artlessnesa and hravado, of
sturdiness and pleased vanity, OF man
and hoy2
There Is one more book 60 come from
Trader Hognwat least one moro, Aexn