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14 THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1307. NEW BOOKS AND THEIR MERITS AS SEEN BY ARTHUR PENDENNIS, JR “OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM.” By Richard L. Metcalfe. (The Woodruff' Collin* Praia. Lincoln. Nebr.) To those people who lore or want to lore their fellow men. who believe there le more Rood than bad in human nature; that there la plenty of "good In the worst of us” and not always plenty of "bad In the best of us,” thla charming little volume of short stories from life by Mr. Richard L. Metcalfe, of Lincoln. Nebr., will thoroughly appeal. Many of the stories are told about little children. Not, however, as has been the almost criminal habit of many writers of perpetrating upon a helpless reading public prodigies, .but of real children, such aa one meets every day In our homes and on our streets, addition to the tales about "Of Such la the Kingdom,” there are some delight ful little essays on old friends—old songs—"Sweethearts and Wives”—In fact, a great deal of everything that touches the better side of the human heart. Mr. Metcalfe la the managing editor . of Mr. William J. Bryan's great paper. The Commoner, at Lincoln. Nebr, but nothing that he has done to assist the "Great Commoner" In his work will excel these fascinating little essays It Is Just such a book that one would care to give to a dear, good friend—not to skim over and put away, but to read and re-read, for It is a book that grow* upon one with each perusal, with ac cumulated Interest and charm. In the present literary desert of "tommy-rot,” "murk-rakets” or even "Fra Elbertus,” the reading public should feel deeply grateful to Mr. Metcalfe for his little book, which Is like an oasla amid the parched sands of much modern litera ture. The essays were written first for pri vate distribution among Mr. Metcalfe's personal friends, but they, realizing the beauty and the charm of these literary gems, insisted upoiv their publication for general circulation, so that thanks are due to both Mr. Metcalfe and to his discerning advisers. It Is a book for the quiet hour when worries assail one and bad thoughts Insistently make themselves felt. Many books have borne upon their title page the lovely little request of Dorothy Wordsworth to Coleridge: "Yes. do send me a book. • • • Not a bargain book bought from a haberdasher, but a beautiful book, a book to carats—peculiar, distinctive. In dividual. a book that hath first caught your eye and then pleased your fancy, written by an author with a tender whim, all right out of his heart. We will read It together.In the glooming and when the gathering dusk doth blur the page, we'll sit with hearts too full for speech and think It over.” But none would seem to have so Just a right to use this dedication as the author of "Of Such Is the Kingdom.' and It la respectfully suggested for the sure-to-come-another edition. There are many bonks these days which overdo the quotation habit. Quo tations arc all right when apt and fit ting, but, like all good things, can be come superfluous and unnecessary. Mr. Metcalfe has struck the happy medium and the little stories und essays are strengthened with singularly appro priate quotations fruit the classics— not too many, please understand, but Just enough to season the charming serving of his gift. Take, for Instanre, in writing of the "Revival of the Old." wherein the au thor pleads for the old songs—old friends—old-fashion men. women and girls, he ends this delightful little es say thus: much In the love-making, or the lack of It. but It Is In the clear pictures of that part of London of which so little was known some twenty years ago. John enters into this work, tneeu Eve lyn. the secretary In charge of the Charity Organization’s office in "The Nile," a street of tour crime and crea tures, In the worst part of London. John Glynn has a great time in ingra tiating himself In the good graces of the habitues of "The Nile,” and how he does it, by physical prowess and by mental and moral force, la delight fully portrayed In the book. The "boas" -of 'The Nile." Perclval Nyae. after long struggles la overcome by- Olynn, and It la about bis mental and physical struggles with Nyne and John's growing love for M Iss Grey that the book attractively treats. After a time John finds his work in the regen eration of "The Nile" nearing comple' tlon. but his love for Miss Grey grow ing stronger each day. so. he leaves that locality to Dick Brabant, his friend, with Instructions to go In and win. Miss Grey never did love Dick, and grew to love John Glynn. All things worked out well and John and Evelyn were brought together, not, however, without many heart-burnings and disappoint ments therewith connected. Poor Dick Brahant seems to have been dropped out of the running as It were, and as for that he did not amount to very much anyway. The book Is an Interesting story of the lower side of that Ilfs not so well understood In London twenty-odd years ago as It is today. Most tmoka writ ten with a moral tied tightly to Its theme, burden the reader sorely by their Insistent sermonizing in season and out of It. to the detriment both of the story and like moral. "John Glynn" Is different. The reader grasps the moral, enjoys thoroughly (he tale and the author has accomplished two great results In the pleasing adorning of the tale, with the acuta pointing of his moral. TJtr book Is enjoyable throughout and Is as good a book from many points of _ view as has been written for a long j time. It deserves a Mg sale. It Is Just such a book as one wants a friend to read and then to dlseuV with him. only one other question that worries the hero great fy-also the reader- namely. his love for Texas. The read er finds himself hoping all the time that be will at least tell Texas all about It. especially after all his self-commun ing and rhapsodies on the subject and It Is a great disappointment when Tex as has to make known her love for him. before be does anything at all. The hero was something of a prig. The trouble with most Southern men is not the withholding of their love stories; on the contrary. It has been said that they speak sometimes too quickly. In "Texas, or The Broken Link," every body connected with the backward hero haring arranged hie affairs satis factorily. he merries Texas, and. every one. including the hero, is happy. The book Is based on history and will be found Interesting to people who like their war stories diluted somewhat with love. "There (s change In the things I loved, Bent Bolt— They have changed from the old to the new; But I feel In the deeps of my spirit the truth, There never was change In you. Twelve mnnths-twenty have passed. Bent Holt, -Since first we ware friends: yet 1 hall Tour presence a blessing, your friend ship a truth. Ben Bolt, of the salt sea gale." “TEXA8, OR THE BROKEN LINK,” by Fannie Eollne Selph. (Tha Cumberland Press.) "Texas, or The Broken Link," I story of war and love with the scenes laid around the Siege of Vicksburg dur. Ing the Civil War. It Is a most ambi tious scheme, this attempting to por tray the great events of the Civil War, In light novels filled with lore making. Love and battle may sometimes go to gether, but In dealing with these two themes In story-one or the other Is apt to be unjustly treated In the majority of such novels, because of the subor dination of the one to the great det riment of the other. In rare Instances In real life, dur ing a great battle, with cannons boom ing and muskets rattling—both dealing out death to the opposing enemy—men may for the moment (minutes or hours, as some books tell us) lose themselves by gasing off Into space, with eyes raised to heaven and thoughts all riv eted on the absent girl—give forth long rhapsodies to 'The Girl I I .eft Behind tie." This may be true, but It does not seem natural for even a hero, blessed with every heavenly gift of face, form and mind, not to be dodging bullets, or at least, returning the enemy's fire. Some books do permit the hero to wake up after a time, when he captures a flag, rescues a fallen comrade or leads a forlorn hope. "Texas, or The Broken Link." is an interesting product of a talented South ern woman, Mrs. Fannie Eollne Selph, who has lived for a number of years in Nashville, Tenn. Tha book gives some very exciting descriptions of the siege of Vicksburg, and to lovers of Civil War stories It will be found very at tractive and enjoyable. The story deals with "Texas Marshall," her father and mother and an adopted brother, Everet "THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CASE," the experiences of M. F. Goron, edited by Albert Keyzer. (J. P. Llpplncotl Company.) ‘The Truth About the Case" Is e delightful collection of short detective stories. These stories are said to have been taken from the pri vate Journal of M. F. Goron. an ex- chlef of the police detective force of Paris, and whether they are true or not. the author's preface to the book lends a pleasing interest to their read ing. because of the statement of their genuineness. In reading most detectives tales the reader Is Impressed with the fact that the discovery of the criminal has been worked out In the author's mind, not as a real occurrence, but as a means to an end. telling a good story. The majority of such stories are written not to show how the criminal was caught after the committal of his crime, but how, after his capture, the schema of the detective work should have been pursued. It Is suggestive of reading letters written In a cipher, after one knows the key. ‘The Truth of the Case" consists of thirteen short stories, every one of which Impresses the reader with the fact that they could and may have happened, whether they are true or not. The tales range from fake spir itualists. poisonings, murders, mista ken Identity, all through the gamut of crime, and are very unusual and entertaining. The,book Is well written and It Is Just snch a volume as on? takes up to read and finishes before putting It aside. The old ex-chlef cer- talnly was a wonder in hla working out of the plota and In the following up of hla suspects. When one lays aside the book, it Is with regret that there are not more stories contained Ip it. It Is far ahead of the ordinary collection of short detective tales, and deserves a great sale. “THE MAYOR’S WIFE," by Anno Katherine Green. (Bobbs-Merrlll Com pany.) 'The MayoFs Wife,” by Anna Katherine Green, la not Inferior to •The Millionaire Baby," ‘The Woman In the Alcove" or 'The Filigree Ball." and while it may not approach the au thor’s best work and the one by which she will always be rated. ‘The Leav enworth Case," It la a first-class mys tery-detective story. The mayor's wife, much to the dis tress of her husband, has some secret sorrow. Whon he engaged a young lady to act as her companion, he told her of the situation thus wise: “My wife Is well, but she Is not hap py. She Is very unhappy, deeply, un accountably so, and I do not knew why. A week ago she was the light est-hearted woman in town—the hap piest wife, the merriest mother. Today she Is a mere wreck of her former self— pallid, drawn, almost speech less, yet she Is not III. She will not acknowledge to an acha or pain." The young woman engaged as a com panion enters upon her duties In the mayor's house, virtually a spy. She learns that the mayor's wife has been in this unusual mental condition from Mr. Ambrose Bierce is an old manu script originally belonging to the Franciscan monastery at Berchtesga- den. Bavaria. The manuscript was Maim .1, so the author says, fr , : peasant by Herr Itielianl Voss, of Hei delberg. from whose German version the pint Is taken. It Is a very' strong, delicate and beau, tlful tale, this story of the little outcast Benedicts, Whose mother Is dead, and whom every one shuns because of her father’s dreadful trade: the Innocent maiden whom people brand to public shame, her poor old broken father at -her feet: and the young monk. Am- broslus, first pitying the child for her soul's sake, then loving the woman for her own sake, loving her not In “the holy way," but the human fray, with good human passion so infinitely above “the holy way;" loving her with a love which rises to full acknowledgment, then penance, then Jealousy, then trag edy and death. It la a very attractive, fascinating story, worthy of the noble English form which Mr. Bierce has given It This revlewerhas already stated what ll thought of Mr. Bierce as an author, and It Is a great pleasure to call at tention to another one of his delight ful productions. Houston Leroy. Leroy, adopted by Judge Marshall, was on orphan, who . - _. In sending a book to a dear, good was traveling around, under the name th^mavoFS friend. Is there a prettier piece of sen- «f "Adalbert Houston." Being a very ’“j® 1 Ey -nvthlng tlment than this which one could use young chap when he escaped from the JJJjJiiJuSnL but had*been!frightened !> f A** «pecj«lly If Mobne. Ala. orphan asylum and not g*“**** 5Shn^mlneS who seven years before she had married, and believing him dead, had married her present husband, the mayor. This John Bralnerd was then acting as pri vate secretary to the mayor In his race for governor of the state. Cipher let ters and sheets of paper pass between the wife and Bralnerd, which the young woman companion Intercepts, but falls to unravel. A study of the cipher or cryptograph easily makes It plain to the reader why the companion failed. It Is about the most complicated cipher ever shown in any detective story. The author says It Is similar to the one used by Edgar Allan Poe In ‘The Gold Bug." It may be, but by comparison Poe's cipher seems as simple as A, B. C. The young companion straightens out matters, relieves ths mayor's wife of all trouble, both mental and physi cal, and the story Is told In n very Interesting way—Just as are all of Mrs. Green's tales and novels. -A very en joyable, diverting book Is “Tho May oFs Wife," and well worth the read ing. “THE MONK AND THE HANG MAN'S DAUGHTER* by Ambrose Bierce. (Neals Publishing Company.) The foundation of this little story by It is “Of Huch la the Kingdom?" knowing hla own name (but old enough to take care of himself) he Just select - “JOHN GLYNN." By Arthur Patter- ed Adelbert Houston, as a pleasing son. (Henry Holt & Co.) cognomen—he was, as the book tells us, "John Glynn," by Mr. Arthur Pat- of a most romantic disposition. tenon, is a very Interesting, delight- Judge Marshs!) and Everet Houston fully written and thoroughly enjoyable I-eroy. alias Adelbert Houston, were In hook. the Bouthern army defending Vlcks- The dedication by permission to Her burg. Mrs. Marshall and Texas go to Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales, Vicksburg to carry contraband articles gives one the Idea that he may expect such as medicine to the Southern with reason a first rate story and the troops. These two women have quite bonk fulfills this promise throughout, a time of It, getting through the Fed- John Glynn, an Englishman, having era! lines. In fact, at one time, Texas made a lot of money In "the states," (like dear Brer Rabbit) was compelled returns to England to enjoy life upon to climb a high tree to escape her pur- the results of his labors. At home he suers. The hero with ths romantic finds an old friend, who had been with two names, of course lovea Texas, and him In the Western United States, now all of his waking hours ore filled with engaged In doing social uplifting In thoughts of his love for her and of his gensral and love-making In particular, determination to solve the mystery of both without any noticeable success, hla parentage. Both of which were John's friend, "Dick Brabant,’’ had once very natural and commendable sent]- saved John's life, so when Brabant tells menta in a youth. Ths birth question John of his hopeless love affair the la solved for (he hero, not by himself latter derides to Join In this social (he seemed to lack greatly any inltla- wnrk, wherein le employed aa a local tive hut he was a success on the refer- serretary Brabant's sweetheart, Evelyn endum). but by Judge Marshall, who Grey. John's hope Is that he may finds the orphan's parents, unfortu- bring Dick and Evelyn together. The nately dead, and a large legacy ar- outrnme the reader con Instantly eur- ranged for the child. , Thla matter having been arranged The charm of the book is not so 1 by somebody elso for him, there la Physicians are often asked whether there really la any virtue In what are called madstones. One of them, writ ing In The Medical Brief, declares these stones are of value, bdi that they would be of more value If Ihelr limita tions were understood. ■There la no particular variety of atone or substances which may be des ignated exclusively as the madstone." he says. "I have seen many of them, so called, and no two were of exactly the same composition, geologically con sidered. "Madstones act on the same princi ple that a blotting paper does when ab sorbing Ink. and there Is nothing that makes a better one than baked pipe clay. A new clay pipe, procurable for I cent at nearly any store where to bacco Is sold, can not be excelled by any madstone, no matter how great Its reputation. 'The action can be clearly demon strated by placing a common dry, red brick. In contact with the margin nf a puddle of water and noticing what capillary attraction will accomplish. Therefore, to be efficient, the only necessity is for the stone to be 'porus and have strong adhesive and absorb ent qualities. Nothing mysterious about it. "I have seen several that appear to be concretions, either veriest, renal or bil iary. and were found In the bladder, kidney or Uver of some animal—those taken from the deer supposed to be the best. “When a person Is bitten by a reptile or dog supposed to be mad, and the porus stone applied to the wound, the blotting-pdkcr action begins, and the blood, saliva from-the mauth .of the animal and whatever poison these fluids contain will naturally, by capillary at traction. be absorbed by and Into the substance applied, no matter what name you' may give IL ‘The saying that If a stone slicks, the wound Is poisonous, and If It does not take hold, there Is no venom presenL Is untrue If the stone Is clean and dry. It will adhere when moisture Is within reach till it becomes saturated. "For Instance, a new, red brick will absorb one pint of water. After the venom has been taken Into the clrpula- tlnn the madstone Is worthless, but as the victim is usually filled with whisky or alcohol at the came time the stone Is being used, the spirits may counter act the effect of the poison. k— - mh . T know of a stone which has a wide Kv P a^?.r th Thi h vnS^ "putat'on and make, a good living for the family owning It. They never let it go out of their sight, and when the vie. tlm can not be taken to the stone one member of the family can be hired to take the stone to the victim. In addi tion to traveling expenses they charge IS for the application and IS extra for each hour that .the stone sticks. ‘This stone Is busy a large part of the time. Not long since the stone held to a man's leg for over 100 hours, yet the man died. His life could have been saved If dependence hod not been placed entirely In the stone." Impossible. The German's Incapacity for humor Is more proverbial than hla aversion (o venti lation, though perhaps less real. A year or so ago an American student In Berlin was attending a leetsro In a room drowsily close. To keep awake be began whisper ing to a German at hla aide tho story of Mark Twain about the man who lived all his life In a ehranle fear of fresh air. Tbo relatives of this man, as la well known, decided after hla death to liava his remains cremated: and the climax of the story oc curs When tha undertaker, opening tho door of tho oven to see whether Incineration was complete, was appalled to hear tho corpso speak out and request him to close the door and shut off tho drmnghL '10 American sprung tho Joke as effec- ly as he could. But never a smile was . reward. Ilia Germnn friend remaln.il for several moments In a perplexod study. Then be leaned over to the American and aald: "Bnt how could that be! The max wax dead!"—Harper s Weekly.