LONESOME END

In boys' books, when the hero's father deserts his son, it's usually because nesia, mental breakdown, or false arrest take him away; or else the old tiger has rawled off to lick at some wound he expects to be fatal. He fails to get' in touch, preferring hatred to shame or agonizingly hurtful bewilderment to honest grief. In sports novels, his restoration to health, freedom or coherency coincides with the victory on the court, diamond or field. Lonesome End is of this breed. Jim borne's father runs off with his meningioma. Jim is sent to the State School for Boys. (No mother, no father-- reform school? No misdemeanor is mentioned.) A year later Mr. Osborne's friend from the old home town offers to sponsor Jim's parole and arranges for him to play on the high school team. (Where was he when the boy got sent up? No explanation.) Jim plays football-- his day made or broken by the coach's comments. He becomes an outstanding player not without all of the difficulties usually found in these books. Father's operation is a success and his whereabouts revealed. Pass the rubbing towel and dry those manly tears.