Evening star., 1947-01-26


phrases, which death did not allow
him to revise-come off the press
more of literary exhibit than an
addition to his solid achievements.
Sometimes, no doubt, if he could
have been consulted, he'd have said,
"No-burn it up or lock it up"
If that's true of unconpleted
books in general, certainly this un-
finished novel is notable eXcep-
ton. The late Booth Harrington
has left us in THE Show Piece" not
only a story worthy of his great
gifts, but one which, as his widow,
Susanah Harrington, says in her
interesting foreword, seems actually
complete "in the most important
way" AS she wrote: SO . it Is
all here for people who care about
the essence of book"
1t Was Polished Writing.
Whether Mr.. Harrington polished
as he went along, or whether he put
down his words pretty much as he
wanted them to stay, there is none
of the fumbling, the tentative
phrasing you find in the original
manuscripts of some writer's whose
works are classics. Mr.. Harrington,
who was 5beset with inf1rmities and
must have been weary, has written
this with all the glow of his best
years. It's a tribute to a dauntless
spirit that here there's nothing to
suggest a tired old man, who could
not even see the words he dictated.
The author even added a synopsis
outlining how his story was to have
ended. Perhaps he sensed that his
time was short; perhaps this was
his usual way of working.
Mrs. Harrington says she tried to
think whether her husband would
have wanted this unfinished novel
published, and she could reach no
decision. "for only Divine Provl-
dence could possibly supply the an
swer." But as she read and reread
THE Show Piece" she began to be
certain that the writing itself de-
manded publication" We can be
grateful she reached that conclu-
sion.
His Ad0lescents.
1t might be said that Mr.. Tark-
ington turned back to youth Tor
the theme of his final novel, except
that he never really turned away
from his concern for boys and girls
sprouting into adolescence and be-
yond. The author of "The Mag
nificent Ambersons," Alice Adams"
and many another book that has
found a permanent place on Amer
ica's shelves, is occupied in The
Show Piece" with boy first
glimpsed a little past the age OF
the unforgettable Penrod, but dealt
with at length after he reaches
college age.
Irving Pease, apparently born with
an adequate ego, has it overnour-
ished, as he grows up, by parents
who indulge him beyond all reason
and by young companions equally
admiring and subservient. He Is,
as you might guess, an only child
But he is blessed with a cousin who
is brought up as foster child in
his home, a sagacious lad who never
is fooled by "Irv," but loves him
enough to help him out of many
a hole and is unselfish enough to
let Irving have the credit for every
thing. Irving thus is the hero OF
more than one exploit which the
cousin, Edgar Semple, really made
possible.
The narrator is Mr.. Harrington
himself, or some one very like him;
an elderly writer, who observes the
adventures and romances OF Irving
Edgar and their pals with an
amused and tolerant eye.
This is a capital study OF an IN
aated youth and what happens to
him when life pushes him beyono
his admiring circle. And its stolc
with all Mr.. Tarkington's quiet
nenetra ton and subtle humor.
A Complete Picture.
The appended synopsis, In whlcr
the author shows how the boof
.,romes out" is, although brlet
rather more than an outline, since
it reveals not only how the plo'
eliminates, but why, with at least
a suggestion of the motivation be-
hind the ending. Naturally. a1tel
the skillful development OF the COM
pleted portion of the story, the syn
opsis is abrupt. and it can be re-
gretted that Mr.. Harrington coule
not have etched in the details witt
the same sure strokes. But, as in
dicated earlier in this comment
the narrative somehow seems
complete picture without the clima'
he planned.
Some notes which were to be th'
basis of episodes are added at th'
close of the book.
Altogether, If this is Mr.. Tarklng
TONS valedictory - assuming ther'
are no more manuscripts to be pub
lished-it is one worthy to be PLACED
beside his fine constitutions II
American literature.
POINTERS FOR PARENTS. b,
Reinhard ". Lozier, M. D. tLippln
co+tN How tn 1ooE after YOUR chll'