Books: Two Versions

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THE HAPPY MOUNTAIN—Maristan Chapman—Viking ($2.50).

KENTUCKY MOUNTAIN FANTASIES—Percy Mackaye — Longmans Green ($2.50).

"Driven to frenzy by the futility of outland interpretation I at last took up the work of their defense"—thus Mrs. Chapman on behalf of the Southern Mountaineers; and Outlander Mackaye is no doubt one of those who drove her to it. Certainly two interpretations could not differ more radically—Maristan Chapman's poignant novel of a reticent folk moving slowly to the rhythm of deep passions; and Percy Mackaye's lusty plays of primitive types with quick emotion and prompt voluble speech.

The Happy Mountain boasts nothing unusual in the way of story: in the springtime a virile lad, poet at heart, leaves his narrow mountain home to see the world. In the autumn he comes back a little worse for wear, disillusioned as to the great beyond. More distinctive than the story is the pungent language.

Of the Kentucky Mountain Fantasies the noisy "Funeralizing of Crickneck" is broad comedy which might have any superstitious community for setting, but "Napoleon Crossing the Rockies" is unique. A railroad representative tries to bully two old folks to sell their property. Steadfast as the Napoleon of their ditty they refuse this stranger's heap of gold, but sell to a suave acquaintance who gives the old woman a chain of gaudy beads, and the old man new strings for his fiddle.