davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
READING AND WRITING
The Debouchery Of Books
IsStiII Seldom and Snuo'

Steegmuller is one. does the re-
search and Interpretation for
the reader, leaves the arch
embroidery and speculation to
him.
Self Portraiture
Mr.. Steegmuller's biography
yields up a very interesting
and timely sidelight of the 18th
century France. It seems 1t
was the custom then for the
wealthy and powerful to write
word-portraits Of themselves.
Mademoiselle in hers said, in
part: II am tall. neither fat
nor thin, shapely and grace
full"
In a way it is pity that
the custom has fallen into
disuse. 1t would be such a
comfort. not to mention
safety valve, for some of cur
public officials. They get
practically no opportunity to
express themselves. Phalanxes
of experts write their letters
and their speeches. They
speak in concealing snatches
at press conferences. Thus 1t
can happen that only in the
exclusive interview, do the
mighty have any opportunity
to sketch a little self-portrait.
In His Own Words
The example that leaps to
mind. of course, is Secretary Of
State Dulles brink of-war"
condolences to the Life re-
porter. Had Mr.. Dulles lived
in the 18th century, he might
have written it down In his
journal instead Of speaking 1t
out to the appalled, chanceries
Of the western world.
The need to communicate is
an important one, almost
wholly neglected in a high
pressure. complex world. Abra-
ham Lincoln felt 1t keenly and
gave in to it. praise be. all the
time. You have only to read
a note of his appointing a
postmaster to sense the man
behind the words. High ON
Gals these days are always
screened behind somebody
else's words, so when they do
break out in their own. as Mr..
Dulles did. it can be startling.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
The Life of Roustubouts
Theme of New Circus Novel

leaving a hand or an arm In
the cage.
This novel is so good that it's
a pity it's not better, as it
could well have been with
sharp Tightening and q deeper
look into some of the men on
whom the narrative focused.
There is too much detail. After
a time the vulgar dialogue and
the inch-by-inch descriptions
Of a vacant lot being trans
formed into a circus become
cumulative and tiresome. And
we never learn what Fiddler is
really like underneath. His
childhood, the sort of home he
came from. his inner prob
lens remain mysteries.
Rowdy Humor
There's one chapter Of row.
dy humor which is first rate
the marriage of a circus hand
known as Dry Wash because he
never bathes. and a former
carnival girl who has become
a lady of the evening.
Cat Man." despite its repe-
titious RESPONSIVENESS, has con-
siderable merit. 1t won the
author a Houghton Mifflin Lit
erary Fellowship award.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22

CAT MAN, by Edward Hoag-
land Houghton Mimin; $3.50
is a first novel about the CLAM
orless part Of o circus-the
roustabouts and assorted la
borers who do the hard work.
There are no performers in
the cast. There are only the
men who put up the big top,
look after the animals, haul,
push and labor interminably.
Most Of them, the author tells
us-and he travelled several
seasons with a circus are
winos and buns.
Occupational Hazards
Mr.. Hoagland gives a vivid
impression of this drab, swept
under phase Of the show,
which the "townies" glimpse
as they watch the tents go up
but never understand or really
see. The leading character is
called Fiddler, a young fellow
who feeds and waters the big
cats and cleans their cages.
He comes to love the lions,
tigers and leopards. to admire
their sleek beauty. He pets
them when he can, and most
Of them like that, but he is
always taking a chance on
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22

appreciated in this country,
where he has spent consider
able time in recent years.
There are, of course, as
many ghosts reported in Amer
lean houses as in older and
more forbidding mansions of
the Old World. Mr.. Reynolds
has not used the standard leg
ends which already have found
their way into our literature,
but has toured many States
digging UP tales not so well
known. There are whole novels
in some of these family chron-
icles. The episodes range from
the lusty humor Of THE Rep
robates." a tale of the Old
West, to the pathetic romance
Of Scent of Lilacs on the
Breeze" Some of the ghosts
lived in Colonial days, others
in our own era.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
March Cost Offers
Joyful Absorption
IFor the Romantics
JERRY o'LEARY, Jr.
THE uNKNOWN ANGEL. B,

THE UNKNOWN ANGEL. BY
March Cost. q. B. Lippin-
Colt; $500
Miss Cost is q very def
weaver. who works on a very
rigid timetable, but hers Is a
quality production. II she asks
certain things Of her readers
in the way Of the willing sus-
pension of disbelief, she makes
lavish amends. Her charac-
tiers are clearly drawn; they
speak in lively and revealing
fashion: and she commands a
glinting. running prose that
Is an unfailing pleasure. Fin
ally. she unabashedly offers
the happy ending.
So it is with 1.-THE Unknown
Angel" Her heroine is a char
woman. Not an ordinary char
woman. for she is genteel. per-
ceptive and angelically SYM
pathetic. She may also be
telepathic. but Miss Cost does
not belabor the point, since
the natural explanation of her
superhuman ability to put her
self in other peoples places
could suffice. Andra Hood is
also a lady with a past. For
four years she was the mistress
of Philip Riberac, a dashing
but avaricious archaeologist
who has unearthed an angel.
On Jubilee week end of 1885,
Philip seeks and finds Andra
and tries to win her all over
again. At the same time he
Is waiting for the missing
hand to angel his stone.
The minor characters are all
superlatively well drawn. Miss
Cost excels at meeting scenes
the exchange of sympathy
between unlikely people. For
those incurable romantics who
have no objection to a touch
of the light fantastic and well
come deeper meanings disarm-
ingly couched. her book offers
joyful absorption. M. MEG.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
Putting All the Gamblers
Cards Right on the T Table

500, 900, because a man whose
ticket was supposed to win
sued and recovered, his claim
finally upheld by the Supreme
Court.
Mr.. Davis does not feel that
legalizing gambling is the an
swer. He points to Nevada as
a deplorable example, partic-
ularly because the underworld
has taken over some of its
gaudiest gaming places.
On Kefauver's Side
The author is on the side of
the Kefauver Committee and
the moralists, though he is a
little reluctant TO admit 1t.
He comedies that a sweeping
Federal law prohibiting gam
bling would be no more effec-
tive than prohibition was. He
feels that 1.-THE only possible
action would be adoption of
some set Of realistic compro-
misses" And he adds: "Of
course a compromise Is never
an answer"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
Irish Author-Artist Finds
LittIe-Known Ghost Tales

GHOSTS IN AMERICAN
HOUSES, by James Reynolds
Farrar, Straus and Cudahy;
$3.50 Is a new book by the
Irish writer-painter with a
most engaging text and a love-
ly set of original sketches,
some reproduced in color.
Mr.. Reynolds. who lives in
Dublin, but manages to travel
a good part of the time, pub
lished Ghosts in Irish Houses"
some years ago. His other
books have included travel
books unlike any others l
know of-"Fabulous SPAIN"
James Reynolds Ireland" and
Pageant of Italy" all illus
trated with his drawings. Mr..
Reynolds writes as well as he
draws and paints, which is
saying a good deal. One might
wonder when he will be fully
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22

contemporary French back
ground of agnostic. if not
atheistic. materialism. cyni-
cism and despair. He won
the Nobel Prize in 1852.
His new novel is THE LAMB
CFarrar. Straus g. Cudahy;
So, translated by Gerard
Hopkins.
Three of the characters in
THE Lamb" came into "A
Woman of the Pharisees,"
which Mauriac wrote Is years
ago. These are Jean de
Mirbel, his wife Michele and
her stepmother, Brigitte Plan.
The latter, the chief figure Of
the earlier novel, now is old
and more confirmed in her
empty piety. her religious
hypocrisy. But the author
explained that "The Lamb"
was neither a sequel nor an
epilogue, and the main char
acter of the new story is
Xavier Dartigelongue. a young
man Of % who, at the opening
of this strange narrative, is
about to enter a seminary in
Paris and study for the priest
hood.
Death in Prologue
It is giving away no climax.
spelling no suspense, to men,
ton the death Of young Xavier.
because we learn of it in a
conversation between Michele
and her husband Jean at once,
in a sort Of prologue. But why
did he die? Did he kill himself?
These questions are never fully
answered, though before this
brief novel closes we have q
pretty good idea.
Xavier and Jean de Mirbel
met by chance in a railway
carriage between Bordeaux and
Paris. By some psychic al
chemy there was an immediate
attraction that drew together
the youth and the man IL
years older.
If it is almost impossible to
explain in a review, then it is
equally hard to understand in
the book, why Xavier, at the
end of the journey, decided not
to enter the seminary but to
accompany Jean back to his
home near Bordeaux and try
to patch up jeans troubles
with his wife. In the de Mir
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
War at Sea
IsVividIy
Recalled
Il. M. 5. ULYSSES. By Alistair

II. M. s. ULYSSES. BY Alistair
MacLean. Doubleday & Co..
Inc: $3.50
An excellent first novel Of
World War II in the North
Atlantic, H. M. s. Ulysses Is
written with the Photographic
accuracy possible only to an
author who has lived his
theme.
There is much here reminis-
cent of The Good Shepherd
and the Cruel Sea, with over
tones of The Game Mutiny, but
the 32-year-old Scot teacher
does not measure up to those
masterpieces.
Thrillingly Told
His characters, principal
and passing. never emerge as
clearly cut as the picture Mac
Lean paints of the horrors Of O
passage to Murmansk. But his
knowledge of the miserable
Arctic weather, the terror Of
U-boat attack and the effect
these have on men is compe-
tently and thriilingly told.
His story concerns the crew
of British cruiser, the Ulys-
ses. assigned to protect q Rus
bound convoy Of 80 ships. The
last six days Of the Ulysses be-
gin with a mutiny in Scapa
Flow, continues with a hurri-
cane and ends with q series of
attacks by German submarine
wolf-packs, dive bombers and
enemy cruisers.
Hundreds of men die. and
only five ships Of the convoy
reach Murmansk. And of the
Ulysses crew, only half q
dozen survive.
How II Really Was
Alistair MacLean succeeded
well in his attempt to describe
his war. If his people fall short
of what happens to them. per-
haps it is because that was how
1t really was there.
His book is altogether read
able. particularly on a cold.
wet night by a burning fire.
1t Is not likely. however. to in
spire enlistments in the Royal
Navy.
JERRY OIEARY. Jr,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
SOMETHING FOR NOTH-

SOMETHING FOR MOTH
ING, by Clyde Brion Davis
(Lippincott; $3.75) is a hard
look at gambling by a writer
of entertaining novels.
Mr.. Davis realizes that vir-
tually everyone CANDLES. in one
way or another, and he is more
concerned with examining Or
ganized gambling. legal and IL
legal, and its net effects. THE
professional gambler is not a
gambler" he contends, point
ing out that such a man is
either q flim-flam artist or, If
he is honest, one who works on
percentage and does not take
a chance.
Washington's Lottery
Once, In 1923. Washington
had "the grand national lot
terry" to get the city out of the
mud and beautify it, but the
promoters went South Cor
Vest with the proceeds and
never were found. In fact,
the project cost the Capital
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22

bel household there was a
further complications boy of
9. a founding whom the cou-'
pie once had thought Of
adopting but now wanted to
get rid of. Xavier felt an OBJ
legation to look after the boy.
The young mans life grew
more complex when he fell In
love with old Brigitte Plans
protege. Dominique. for he
felt, despite the temporary re-
nunciation of his vocation.
that secular love was not for
him. Jeans interest in Xavier
was more unnatural; his love
for his wife and a perverted
affection for the thwarted
seminarian fought for domi-
nance in the older man.
Symbolism
A strong undercurrent OF
symbolism is to be suspected
in 1.-The Lamb" Whatever its
inner meaning, Mauriac has
told his tragedy with an econ
omy of words that makes
every phrase important and
a growing power that builds
the final chapters into a mem
orable climax. The authors
insight into these obsessed
characters and his luminous
descriptions come shining
through the translation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
By MARY McGRoRY

Benjamin Franklin, whose
250th birthday was observed on
Tuesday, often had something
to say on how to get ahead.
This excerpt was written in
1882 when he was just coming
up in the world as q public
printer:
In order to secure my credit
and character as q tradeSman
! took care not only to be in
reality industrious and frugal.
but to avoid all appearances Of
the contrary. ! dressed plain
and was seen at no place Of
idle diversion. / never went
out a-f1shing or shooting; a
book, indeed, sometimes de-
bauched me from my work;
but that was seldom, snug, and
gave no scandal"
Not to Be Seen
1t would appear that the de-
bauchery Of books Is still sell
dom and snug" at least in
Washington. People here
scarcely ever read books where
they might be seen. Bus
riders not busy with the morn
ing or evening paper seem to
be engrossed in mimeographed
sheets full Of figures and I'M
derlined and unappetizing
headings like Production fig-
ures in grain in the first half
of 1882"
In New York. as the SUBJ
way trains 60 hurting thun-
derously through their cav
erns. you occasionally see q
dark-browed youth deep in
Dostoievsky. Here a magazine
is the most that be expected.
Possibly the failure to read on
public conveyances is due to
the distracting beauty Of the
passing scenery. which is prac-
tically never a problem in un-
verdant New York. On the
other hand, in winter at least,
maybe it is because the Capital
Transit won't turn on the
lights on dark mornings, and
bus riders know that there are
few books worth losing your
eyes over these days.
- -.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
Francis SteeqmuIIer

The year is well begun In
biography with Francis Steeg-
muller's 1.-THE Grand Made
moiselle" reviewed here). It
is an admirable reversion to
the great tradition. It is a
biography based on facts, not
on speculation.
We don't know about you,
but we've had enough of SEN
fences that begin Mary Lin
coin tossed her copper curls"
or Abigail Adams stamped
her well-shod little foot"
Maybe they did and maybe
they didn't. Either way, it
doesn't help you to know any
more about them.
FictiOnized Biography
This tendency to take ladies
OF history, put pancake make
up and false eyelashes on them
in The hope of Transforming
them into woman's magazine
heroines, is, to US. absolutely
deplorable. 1t comes out Of
the "fictionalized biography"
or the biographical novel, "
neither Of which serve any USE
full purpose that we can see.
II an eyewitness observer
saw Mary Lincoln toss or Abb
gail Adams stamp, then the
fact is worthy of note and the
source cited. But to have the
biographer or novelist say so
is worth no more than If you
or I said 1t. Anyone can specu-
late. The true artist, and Mr..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22

paddock window, sizing up her
spirited steed). His colors are
bright and fresh, and he
sometimes gives his work the
appearance of stained glass by
heavy black outlines around his
forms ("Abelard and Heloise.")
Carmelo is particularly inn
portant in the field Of print
making In Cuba. The cata-
logue, free to visitors. gives de-
tailed information about his
life and work.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
French Lecturer

won Bizardel, honorary d.
rector, Fine Arts Of Paris. will
be guest speaker at the Ma
tional Gallery of Art this
afternoon at 4 on the unusual
subject 1.-THE First American
Painters in Europe" Free to
the public.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
BOOKS IN REVIEW
A Brilliant New Novel
By Francois Maurice
By CARTER BROOKE JONES

There two novels and at least nonfction book
worth passing notice this week Francois Mauriac
many need be reminded Of Frances
novests Unlike Sarre Cocteau Camus and most Of
the others writing today Mauriac religious and his
novels are usually with spiritual struggles against
The frontiersman., 1956-08-02
CUB SCOUT OUTING TERMED BIG SUCCESS

Fifteen Cub Scouts, one Eagle Scout, and II adults attended the Cub Scout overnight out ing held last Saturday by the To- cal Cub Scout organization.
 Camp was set up by the group and followed by an evening pro- gram that included a tug-of-war, won by Den 3, songs, stories. games, and a campfire. Ed Smith and Eagle Scout Tom Williams were in charge of the entertain ment programs. Scout knives were awarded to Martin Buzby as overall outstanding camper and Stanley Smith of Den 3 and Douglas Maze Of Den 5. The lat ter two were selected by a coin toss between D. Woods of Den 3 and Phil Daughtery of Den 5. The four were selected as out standing campers. Tim Gallagher won knife awarded to the Cub Scout group for their participa- ton in the Scout Exposition tick ct sales this summer. Light re- treatments were served at the close of the evening program.
 Sunday rmorning an outdoor breakfast was prepared and serv- ed to the 27 campers and camp was broken about 10 am.
 Adults participating in the out ing included Smith, Blake Nc kinley, Jack Zimoske, Miles France, Wilson Woods, Cubmas- ter Jack Maze, Dick Foley, Ted Bpzby, Harry Neff, H. P. Gaza- way and Vic Daughtery.
 They reported the outing well organized and the boys we'll be- hayed throughout the program.
The frontiersman., 1956-08-02
Terr. Police Ask For Land Withdrawal

The Department of Territorial Police has requested the with drawal of approximately two and one-half acres in the vicinity of Big Delta, it has been revealed by the Bureau of Land Manage merlt. The land will be used as a police station, to include quar- ters, office, and radio facilities.
 The Department of territorial police has occupied this tract of land during the past year and one half and has invested lit- tie over $12,OO0 for the perman- ent building facilities now situa- ted on this property. The build ing is approximately B by 40 feet with a full concrete base ment. A 165-foot six-inch well has been installed, and also a radio antenna.
 Permanent withdrawal has been requested in order to facil- itate the public with law enforce ment and order in the Big Delta area.
The frontiersman., 1956-08-02
LOCAL HAMS" ATTEND CONVENTION BANQUET

Four members of the Palmer Amateur Radio club attended the first Northwest Division Al aska Amateur Radio convention held in Anchorage last week. They were Philip and Grace Edleman, John Mears, and Rob ert Estelle. Approximately 150 "hams" from the territory and a few from the States, attended the dinner held at Olivera's Sat urday evening. Among awards given during the evening were door prizes. Edleman was award ed a 45 rpm record player and Estelle received a B and W switch used for antenna change over. Chairman of arrangements was Del Bailey. Charles Sappah, Anchorage, was named amateur of the year..
The frontiersman., 1956-08-02
Rev. Victor Urban
 Ordained in Service Al wasiIIa Church

The Rev. Victor C. Urban was introduced as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla on July 20, following his ordina- tion to the holy ministry.
 Ceremonies were conducted by members of the Yukon Pres bytery, with the Rev. Winthrop Ware, pastor of the Hillcrest Presbyterian Church of Anchor age presiding. The Rev. Neil Munro, service pastor from Big Delta, read the scripture lesson and the Rev Frank J. Walkup, First Presbyterian Church, An chorage, delivered the sermon. The ordination prayer was offer ed by the Rev. Bert J. Bingle, pastor of the Railbelt Presbyter- ian Church and the Rev. John F. Seibert, pastor of the Faith Presbyterian Church, Anchorage, gave the charge to the minister. The Rev. Victor I. Alfsen, pas tor of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairbanks, gave the charge to the people and the lay ing on of hands was done by the Presbyters.
 At the conclusion of the ser vice the women of the church held a reception in honor of Rev. and Mrs. Urban.
 Rev. Urban is not new to Alas ka, having served in the U. S. Army at Fort Richardson. Thr- ough the ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Anchor age he was converted and went Outside to complete his educa- ton, which included high school, college and seminary. He is graduate of Whitworth College in Spokane and the San Francis. co Theological Seminary at San Anselmo, California.
 Rev. Urban is serving as mis- sionary-pastor under the Board of National Missions of the Pres byterian Church in the United States of America. In addition to his work as pastor of the Wasil- Ia church, he will have charge of church work along the south end of the Alaska Railroad as far
The frontiersman., 1956-08-02

At present, the ACS is financ- ing the training of 169 young doctors in diagnosis and treat ment of cancer. TOT young phy- sicians have been so trained since 1948.
 Last year, more men than wo- men died of cancer.
 Last year, cancer took the lives of some $500 children (un- der Is years of age).
The frontiersman., 1956-08-02
MARILYN DRACSETH TO WED ON AUGUST IT

Mrs. Velma Dragseth has an- nounced the coming marriage of her daughter, Marilyn who will become the bride of Philip Nc Rae, son of Mrs. Harriett Bell of Palmer, on August II at 8 pm. The ceremony will be per formed in the United Protestant Church and will be followed by a reception at Elks hall. All friends of both families are in- vited to attend the ceremony and reception.
The frontiersman., 1956-08-02
co U RT NEW s
Commissioners Court

Norman Gottschalk was found guilty on reckless driving charge and driving without an Alaskan driving license brought by Territorial Police following an accident in which three per sons were injured. He entered plea of guilty when he appear ed in court July 28. He was fined S100 with 30-day stay of ex- ecution received a three-month suspended sentence, and had his drivers license revoked until January 1, 1857
 Richard Hodsdon was fined S10 when found guilty July 28 of driving without an Alaskan driving license.