Evening star., 1938-02-02
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
bY MARGARET CERMOND.

oOOtVA. LlttIc, oEOWu q NO.
Again Della Lutes parts the curtains
on the Southern Michigan scene and
produces q succession Of episodes in the
lives of the Thompsons, their neighbors
and their friends that are as refreshing
and delightful as those that made 'The
Country Kitchen" one Of the most orig
inal and fascinating books In several
years. Many of the same characters ap-
pear, little older and perhaps q little
wiser, but as consistently "home grown"
and steadfast in their virtues and weak
nesses as wholesome living In q typical
Northern farming district can make
them.
Uncle Lille is getting too old to farm
and eventually the Thompsons desert
the old farm and 90 to live in country
town, but most of the book Is devoted
to stories about life in the old homestead
and the happenings in the lives of rela-
tives. neighbors and friends living on
nearby small farms. For instance, there
Is a story about Cousin Saryette who,
according to custom, takes to her bed In
q darkened room and fundamentally
goes into decline after Jerry Oliver
escorted her to dance and took an
other girl home. Then there is the
story of little Jodie. aged nine, who is
called upon to serve as pallbearer for
Miz Bishops baby, who was born in
the night and died before morning.
Also there is a full-f1edged story about
the annual Strawberry Festival with its
social significance. and one about
memorable old-fashioned Sunday night
supper at the Larrabee farm.
A number OF humorous and healthy
as we'll as pathetic tales relate to the
tin dinner pals that were as important
part OF the equipment OF school chill
dren as their books, their stout footwear
and their warm clothing. Apple har-
vesting and hog kiln" fishing and
hunting. Sabbath-keeping and numer-
GUS other economic. social and religious
practices that were intimately bound
with simple. wholesome existence, form
the pattern of the pageant Of life in the
small-ferm section OF Southern Michigan
half century ago.
1nterspersed among these remem-
brances and tales Of neighborhood
events are numerous recipes for old
fashioned farm dishes. substantial, de-
licious meals and pastries, breads and
daintieS that most city-bred humans
know nothing about-to their misfortune.
But this book. like its predecessor, is
something more than a collection of in
teresting tales and delicious cookery. It
is richly sprinkled with the sane and
homely philosophy of the natural farmer
and its characters are faithfully drawn.
1t IS witty and charming and bids fair
to become as popular as The Country
Kitchen"
STAR RISING. BY Clarence Budding
ton kelland. New York: Harper
Bros
Mike O'Brien. janitor in the "dingy,
down. heel Decker's Grand Opera
House, had been scared nearly out OF
wits one night nearly twenty years be-
tore the beginning of this story by an
eerie sound that issued from the depths
OF the empty theater. In Mikes own
words there is no lonelier spot Oh earth
than the insides of a theater when the
audience has gone home. leavin' behind it
cheWln' gum wrappers an rumpled pro-
grams, and an odd glove for the left hand
an Savings Bank Book Number 22234."
Mixes hair stood on end as the wall
rose from spot not far from where
he was cleaning. With broom poised,
ready to strike. he investigated and
found baby. He was not acquainted
with any rules concerning the treat
ment of lost or discarded humans, so he
telephoned Bert Walker one of the
lessees Of the theater. Bert Walker
promptly telephoned Nanny Goldstein,
his partner in the lease. and together
they rushed to the old show house to
make certain that Mike had not lost
his mind. Goldstein realized that fur
ther assistance was needed SO he called
John Reardon, policeman on the beat.
In something Of panic. Walker then
telephoned Jake Schwartz owner OF the
building, and Tom kendrick. lawyer for
the partners and political boss OF the
New England town.
Not one Of them knew what to do
with the baby. nor was any Of them
willing to ship the infant to an orphan
asylum. Mrs. Scarlotti. the scrub woman
for the theater arrived while the dis
cussion was going on and they made
an agreement with her for the care Of
the baby-which. by the way. was a girl.
The five men agreed to pay share and
share alike. and in a businesslike man
ner they formed the East Lynne Benev-
olent Association. The show on the
night Of the find had been East
Lynn" 50 they gave the baby the name
Of the play and made the title of the
association the same.
So the little girl grew up under the
mothering OF the Association and Mrs.
Scarlotti. with an education that In
cluded ward politics, police station ethics
and stage lore as we'll as books. She turned
out to be smart beautiful and ambitious,
and developed an unbreakable will. a
quick temper and witty tongue. She
boasted OF her Association as being bet
ter than parents, was never ashamed OF
the fact that she was founding, and
made up her mind that some day she
would make those who snubbed her bow
in admiration. She believed that she
would be great actress and she was
determined to trace her parentage.
All Of which lays the foundation for
swiftly moving heroic story of an
unknown girl facing a cruel world with
grit and patience. East forces her way
into place Of prominence in q select
school for young ladies, studies on the
side for the stage career that she is some
day to enjoy and all the while loves
devotedly the six people who have reared
and educated her and made her happy.
After graduation she enters q dra-
matte colony with the influence of her
guardians and while at MattaWamkeag
she meets again young man to whom
she gave her childish heart because he
defended her against some ruf1ian play
mates, and also several other young men
who Immediately seek to win her af-
lection. She Is not interested particu-
hn {n<n