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WINNETKA WEEKLY TALK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1923 | Book Reviews By John Philip Morris Many men have written fascinating tales of vagabondage, many more men have lived such tales but to have both lived such a tale and then to have transcribed it for the pleasure of others is the privilege of but few. Harry Kemp's TRAMPING ON LIFE is such a book. It is autobiography, of course, and true as autobiography can be and yet probably contains the falsehoods that autobiographies must contain, for it is absolutely impossi- ble for any of us to tell the exact truth about anything, least of all about ourselves. In fact for some nineteen hundred years the question of what truth really is has never been satis- factorily answered. At any rate, whether 100 per cent true or only 50 per cent, Harry has achieved one of the most delicious books ever classified as autobi- ography. With the exception of Robert Brown- ing, he is the only man I know of who deliberately shaped his whole life towards becoming a poet. As poetry making has never been classed among the more lucrative professions, even when the poet is the best of his gen- eration, Harry Kemp was put to make strange makeshifts to keep the engine working and these make most inter- esting reading. So while Harry has never reached affluencé, money has been the least of his worries. It cannot prove of paramount impor- tance to any man who, with an income of seven dollars a week, will elope with the wife of another. Harry Kemp was born in a small town in Ohio and spent his boyhood on farms and small Main Streets. Having no mother he was transferred from one relative to another until adolescence found him with his father in New Jersey. Interested only in poetry, school and factory were twin bores and, fol- lowing his bookish preceptors, he ran away to sea. Arriving in Australia he ran away from sea and then re- food and papers and seeing what a jail looked like from the inside. Then he joined Bernard McFadden in establishing a health colony and next drifted to Elbert Hubbard and Bast Aurora. Wanting more educa- tion he worked his way through school and college on the slimmest of rations and the thickest of hopes. While in college his poems attracted the attention of Upton Sinclair and, college days over, he seeks his idol and finds--a woman, Mrs. Upton Sinclair. With Shelley and Byron for a back- ground and an urge what could he do but take what was so freely offer- ed? Upton behaved very badly about it according to the code of Kemp and himself and absolutely refused to set- tle the matter in "the radical way" and let "Harry" and "Hildreath,, the modern world "an example of radi- cal love Jife." Oh no, Upton cast back to the bourgeoise and instituted bour- geoise divorce proceedings. "Hildreth," however, proved that she was a Radical from Radicalville, a super or Greenwich Village Rad in fact. Before Harry had a chance to see how far seven per goes towards clothing even the dearest woman in the world or Uppie could get the decree she had left Harry for Another. The book ends in a note of triumph. Harry has lost love but he has gained eternal fame. "Judas" has just been published and the world is waiting to acclaim Mr. Kemp as the greatest poet and dramatist of the age. It is an anti-climax to relate that "Judas" has been out for many years and the world hasn't done a darn bit of ac- claiming. There is one really provoking thing about TRAMPING ON LIFE. Kemp, for fear of libel suits, perhaps, has everywhere altered proper names, even including his own. He goes through the book as Johnnie Gregory while Elbert Hubbard becomes Roder- ick Spalton and Upton Sinclair, Pen- ton Baxter. It is often foolish and un- necessary. On page 249 we read of Emma Goldman in the abstract, while on Page 285, when she steps into the narrative, it is as Emma Silverman. Perhaps, however, Harry was right as he is not at all complimentary to shipped as a cattle tender on a China- bound boat. After China came the Phillipines and then a long tramp across America, i the Greasy Fra and some of the others. guing book of the season. Start on page 1 and you must read on until you have finished the 438 pages of pure pleasure it contains. Then you wish that Harry had had a longer life, al- though it would be impossible for him to have had a fuller or a more inter- esting one, JOHN PHILIP MORRIS. WILEY 15 PEAKE IT THE SUNDAY LLB Well Known Educator Here Sunday Evening Announcement. The Winslow Boiler & Engineering Co. are now being represented in this district by HOTHER J. MOELLER & SON 624 Vernon Ave. Phone Glencoe 262 Dr. Herbert L. Willett of the Uni- versity of Chicago, one of the best known educators and lecturers in the United States, will be the speaker at the Wilmette Sunday Evening club on January 14. Dr. Willett's sub- ject will be, "The Place of the Schol- ar in American Life." The subject chosen by Dr. Willett was most enthusiastically received some time ago by an audience of 4,000 people at Chautauqua, New York. Dr. Willett has been identified with the University of Chicago for many years. He has. travelled all over Eu- rope and in the Orient, and is partic- ularly well fitted to speak on the sub- ject which he has chosen for Sunday evening, because of his long connec- tion with the educational world. A feature of Sunday's service will be a special program of music render- ed by Miss Clara Louise Thurston. J. E. SWIFT TEAL BUSINESS & LIFE INSURANCE Representative New York Life Insurance Company 1017 Central Avenue, Wilmette Phone Wilmette 37 "It Takes the Worry Out of Life" Write or phone Mr. Moeller and he will be glad to acquaint you with No LABOR ~ NO COAL - NOASHES, Automatic Oil Burning Systems Let him show you what Kleen Heet has done, learn of its indorsements, the many satisfied users now using Kleen Heet in this territory. Chicago office, 65 E. Van Buren Phone Har. 5853 Unless, however, I have convinced |; you that the book is more than worth while, I have failed in this review. stealing rides and books and begging | It is without question the most intri- JL TTA and can duplicate your lenses ined and know. SS OE ANNOUNCEMENT For the convenience of the people of the North Shore, I have opened an exclusive Optical Parlor at 1177 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette, Opposite the Village Hall I have the most up-to-date instruments for examining the eyes all repairs on glasses promptly and satisfactorily. If you are wearing glasses you are invited to come in and have them adjusted and get acquainted. "SAVE YOUR EYES" Don't "guess" they are all right, have them carefully exam. DR. O. H. BERSCH, Optometrist Formerly Mgr. Opt. Dept. C. D. PEACOCK, Inc. = from the broken pieces or make 207% 10% Discount on Hosiery RUBY"S Mid-Winter Shoe Sale Discount on Our Entire Stock of Quality Footwear for Women and Children Discontinued Lines Radically Reduced. 2700 pairs of Pumps, Oxfords, Strap Slippers and Boots, $6.85 to $8.85. Values up to $18.50. 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