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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 1929)
By LINTON WELLS and NEL3 LEROY JORGENSEN Since taking liigj on at sea rarly the previous wonting, the *Tokitsu Maru lia»l neatly navi paled the Straits of 'lVugaru, separating the islands of Ilon <lo and Hokkaido, and was now ■wallowing its way across the «Sra of Japan to Vladivostok. Jt had been, in spile of the ■excitement attendant upon the approach of a storm which it ♦eemed impossible that the lit tle boat could ride out, a tedi ous day. In Jimmy's mind was the memory of the Adrienne s *prod run across the Pacific and his flight across the Amer ican continent nine days be fore. These reflections eon Irastrd agonizingly with the annoying 12 knots that were somehow got, out of the leaky boilers of the little Japanese chip. He was the only foreigner on tmnrd, too, and there was no one to whom he eould talk. ITe wearied early of the pastime of improving the captain s .atrocious English and was de voting himself now to planning ohend and checking up on all that had passed. Hardmuth he had not seen fjefore leaving. Thanking him could he left until later, when, it was possible, Hardmuth rnight acknowledge the whole affair. At any rate, lie had fjeen a good friend. But Rog ers—! Jimmy’s fists clenched overy time he thought of the «mn-m He had been loath to sus fiowi him; now he was certain that his rival was his enemy «nd that on him the responsi tulily for every obstacle in his y>afli could he placed. Olson had been w> ,er than lie in his trust of men. He doubted no longer that lliere find been a real attempt to drug him in his cabin the night lief ore. And the radio mes sage—d This reflection, as his mind turned to it, while the bar ometer fell rapidly and the rlo fiilsu Maru neared the protec tion of the peninsula, drove all «>)hv from his thoughts. Rogers fcnow of the message from To J<io. The plane was waiting for 1dm at, Yokohama. If Rc.g «*rs bail doped him—as the man rm doubt, believed he had—he *5till l ad a move. ' What, was to prevent his ri cal from posing as Jimmy itranlon and accepting the Japanese plane waiting at Yo kohama—u n 1 e s s the pilot *Whl happen to he an ae «pmn tanee, which was unlike ly t There was nothing l No yrny of preventing it. ?V was an ironic thought; JTimn v growled deep in his throat, and then laughed at liim-elf as a spurt of spray libve over the side of the ship sind covered his oilskins. "Whatever Roger's plan had keen, it could not he prevented Bioiv. By the time he got to ’Vladivostok, his rival could he in Shimonoseki. It would mean, at worst, that each of them would arrive at Harbin jRhrad of time and have to wait .for the same train. His train for Harbin, he dis covered, departed at 1 o’clock in the morning. If the present •fwhe.dnlc were adhered to and lie met with no adversity in be rtween, lie would arrive there -*vdh several hours to spare. Re calling an acquaintance there -'*i,'}i this fact, he made a men ifjd note to wire Saunders, one c*T the English residents of the jplmc, that he was coming. The Tokitsu Maru was wal ’low'ng heavily now, making «n*;vot headway heforp a storm fiiad at last come down from every side. Jimmy had to relinquish his post forward and retire to the comfort of his cab in before the mightv buffet ing* Ihat set in. The seas jprashed the decks from how to 15 , • 1 stern; the propeller quivered with its every revolution. Jimmy lighted a cigarette with difficulty; and then, sud denly, as though the rain had changed to oil and smoothed tin* troubled waters, the storm had been passed and llie ship sailed into the protection of the peninsula. V'ith a breath of relief, he went on deck again. It was 10 o’clock when the Japanese boat dropped anchor in the murky waters of the harbor. Jimmy shook hands with the captain before leav ing, correcting his last two English words into a more or less comprehensible “Good luck!" and then, with a flip pant wave of his hand toward Russian Island, disembarked and set out for the customs jet ty. The trip across from Min ato had cost him 1,250 good American dollars; but to his mind, the advantage gained more than compensated for the expenditure. Unless Rogers had discovered his plans in some way, the surprise to him would he worth it. Soviet officialdom at Vladi vostok, even at that hour, greeted him courteously. Jim my’s wide acquaintance, his popularity in odd corners of the world was beginning to make itself felt. One of his first acts, when he had been planning his routes, had been to communicate with the 1 n ion of Soviet Socialist Repub lies and Jus newspaper menus in Moscow, requesting flint passport visas for him he for warded to Tokio. The fact that there was no soviet repre sentative in the 1 nited States made this neeesary. His radiogram, to have the same visas forwarded to Vladi vostok, when lie had changed his plans, had been received and acted upon, he found. They were waiting for him on arrival, and lie found himself possessed of what the officials termed “every consideration.” Two hours later, Jimmy had been safely and expeditiously passed into Siberia, had par taken of vodka and tea with the customs officer, and was comfortably sandwiched be tween clean white sheets in his berth in the wagon-lit, pre pared, if necessary, to sleep until its arrival at Harbin, Manchuria, 40 hours later. At that point, direct communica tions with Moscow could be made. lie was well on his way and still ahead of schedule, but with the most difficult part of his journey yet to come. CHAPTER XI11 At the Harbin station, Jim my Brandon was one of two white men to alight from the train from Vladivostok. The second was patently a com mercial traveller from the States who just as patently de tested being in this particular place. Jimmy had avoided him on the train deliberately, for fear of having to listen to rem iniscences of “Dear old Broad way—if I ever get back there again . . . lie had heard them fre quently in the past, in many places—some of which he him self thought infinitely prefer able to Broadway; but he had learned now to anticipate and avoid them. He looked eagerly for a sign of Saunders, to whom he had wired news of his arrival, fear ful that his fellow countryman might spot him and suggest that they go to the hotel to gether, as exiles should. But Saunders was not in sight, un less. . . . But Jimmy remembered the ! Englishman as tall and broad : shouldered, fair and light .'SOUTH SEA GAMBLING From London Daily Mail. Gambling was unknown in the TEkolh Seas before the advent of “the white man. but nowadavs it has ftakcn such hold of the natives that •t>- governments of New Guinea >*rM other idands have had to pass ((prr"-hibiTory laws. A pack of cards is regarded bv *€h«> nat'”»s ps a very va'unb’e pos wpkt' on. T know a young native who, »n>er months of gathering *he >.ctl «3es wherewith to buy in marriage. iBcr,'yrdirg to custom, a erirl he was on. suddenly souandered the Mat on .% nactr of cards. Tire articles —which Included a quantity of na tive ornaments and weapons, a fish I ing canoe and a number of fine floor mats—were worth at least 20 pounds. The voung man regretted it la ter and was glad, in due course, to ; sell the cards for approximately what he gave for that*), With thetr limited knor»?edge of arithmetic, games like bridge, v/hlst and poker are too complicated for the natives. They play only very ; simple games, such as “banker.” Usually they play for tobacco—a .let black “trade” tobacco made up in sticks of 24 to the pound. Sometimes, however, when the haired, with a liri.sk little m o u s t a c ii e, a:ul the well dressed young man advancing toward him, however, pleasant of appearance in lii.s dark, rather careless way, could not be he. The individual walked directly up to him, however, and smiled. “You’re Brandon, aren’t you? No need to say yes; the other chap couldn’t be. My name’s Welker—Tommy Saun ders asked me to meet you.” Jirnmv accepted his out stretched hand gratefully. Hd found the younger Englishman a rather talkative sort for his race, but it was good to listen to him. It had been some time since he’d he^rd good English. “I’m taking you up to Tom my’s house,” he explained. “You’ve got several hours be fore your Moscow’s train’s due, and you might just as well he comfortable. Supper, and all that.” “Excellent!” Jimmy agreed. “Where is Saunders, though?” “Oh, I forgot.” Welker smiled blandly, “lie’s having dinner with the railway chief. Absolutely unbreakable en gagement, you know—sort of like a royal command when he invites one to dine, y’know. You’ll have to sit and listen to me for a bit. He’s going to try to get away before you leave, if lie can.” Jimmy nodded acceptance. He had never been to Saun der’s home before. He and the Englishman had met first in Peking, at a pistol tournament which had ended in a poker session; and later, several times in other cities of the East, since his business kept Blunders travelling through the Orient. He found the latter’s perma nent home charmingly com fortable and admisably adapt ed to a bachelor’s wants. For a moment, as he came inside, Jimmy almost envied the man. He dropped with a sigh of re lief into a deep club chair and relaxed. Welker chattered on. “Nice place, this, for the part of the earth it’s in. I stay with Tom my when I’m here; I knew him at school. I get around once every so often. Doing engi neering work occasionally for the railroad. . , Jimmy nodded drowsily. A little later, he bathed in the ut most luxury, which he had not been able to do since leaving the Adrienne off Minato; and then he ate with all the relish of an epicure. He was enjoy ing the hours of relaxation, while Welker’s pleasant voice chattered on, to the very ut most. They came so seldom in his life, and lie knew there were to be few on this trip. “I suppose you know of my trip?’’ he asked Welker, after a heavy dinner had driven the other to what was, for him, al most muteness. “Oh, yes, read all about it. Tommy and I are keen for it. Your competitor, by the way, got in before you did. He s at the hotel. “I was wondering,” Jimmy nodded. “So he did! “Did what?” Welker blinked. “Use my airplane to cross Japan. There’s no doubt about it, is there? The Fusan train isn’t in yet?” “It gets in just in time to catch the one out for Mos cow,” Welker informed him. “Not due for an hour.” Jimmy nodded. It meant that lingers had taken oft in a hurry from Yokohama in the plane sent there from Tokio. Jn OTnf'r wurus, iwm'a still believe him to have been left behind, drugged, in his cabin on the Adrienne. Did he expect him to cross Japan hv train, he wondered? There were so many possi bilities, so many things to think of. that Jimmy at last put them all from his mind. He had ahead of him a long journey, and, for the moment, there was certain peace. For an hour, he allowed himself to enjoy the inside of a home, play runs high, strings of tiny cow rie shells are wagered. These shells are worth about 1 pound a hun dred. and are a kind of ornament and money combined. Actual money Is seldom used, for natives have a penchant to convert what cash they get into goods immediately. Young Lady (in shoe store)—I want a pair of squeaky slippers, size 10.” Shoe Clerk — Squeaky slippers? Who for? Young Lady—For father, so my George can tell when he’s coming down tlia hall—Pathfinder. with all its quiet and rest; and then lie was off for the station. There lie left Welker, who was returning to his club. The station lie found was practically deserted, and there was a lost, lonely atmosphere about it which struck him forc ibly in contrast with the home lie had just left. Rogers, he concluded, mus„ already be aboard the Moscow train, lie was nowhere iu sight on the dimly lighted platform when the Fusan train pulled to a stop and discharged its passen gers. He watched idly the sleepy and disgruntled people emerging from the long line of coaches which stretched far back into the dark at the end of the platform. Not a white face in the lot. Chinese, Russians, Japanese— even Koreans. It was a lonely sight. For the briefest second, Jimmy had thought of home— wherever that might be, and for the same second lie had a keen desire to see a white face. Cold and chilly, dark and gloomy, the station was. “And not a white face,” he told himself again. “Lord, I’ve half a mind to go up and chin with Rogers. Why didn’t Wel ker stay—or why can’t Tom my Saunders make time for a cheerio?” It was the first time he ever remembered experiencing lone liness or the faintest touch of homesickness. Yet it was neither of these, he recognized. There was no place to be home sick for. but that matter. Somehow, of late, there had been born the desire to have one hearth at which he might warm himself—one person who eared, even if it were only for the most fleeting instant, whether he was in Zanibar or Sarawak. The wanderer, in passi g, had glimpsed a fireside. . . . lie thought of Frances. If he won, she was his. She had said practically that. Yet the thought of claiming her, even now, lacked its wonted thrill. Was that what he wanted, af ter all?—home and peace? There was always beauty—he had found it everywhere—and wealth he despised. Could Frances give him the rest— that mate-of-the'eagle love which his wanderer’s soul was beginning to crave, now at last? She could! Of course, she could, he told himself hurried ly and then cursed himself for liis disloyalty. Here he was chasing around the world, just for her, risking life and fame and fortune—and wondering, on this poorly lighted- lonely platform, if he eared enough to do it. Not a white face. . . . Pre occupied with the thought, he suddenly broke off. From the farther end of the Fusan train, down at that end of the, plat form where the dim lights scarcely reached, a figure caught his eye—a figure trim and exotje in tins place, like a vision conjured out of his own imaginings. It was a woman, heavily veiled, and she was walking toward him. She was alone, too. That, in itself, was not so curious. But in the same instant he realized that slip was a white woman. Something about her bearing told him that—a certain poised assurance and a manner of car riage that betrayed his own race and left no doubt. A white woman—alone— here! It was astonishing. Harbin, with its mixture of types and classes, was none too safe at night for any woman: but this lonely station—for her to be traveling here alone and un protected, unwarned of the dangers. . . . For she was manifestly making for the Moscow train. (TO B>: CONTINUED) Thank Goodness Prom Judge. “Hullo Bill! How’s your wife this evening?” “She’s sinking.” “What, is she ill?" “No. Just washing dishes.” SIDESTEPPED From Pathfinder. “I asked you if you would loan me $50. but you didn:t answer.” “No, I thought it would be better for me to owe you the answer than for you to owe me the $50.” Kind Old Gentleman—What dc you call those two kittens. Johnny? Small Boy—I call ’em Tom and Harry. K. O. O.—Why don’t you name them Cook and Peary after the great explorers? S B.—Aw, gnaw, mister; thes« • ia't polecats.—Black <Ss Rina Jay. Care fcr Propaganda From Milwaukee Journal Senator Walsh cX Montana pro poses tv.o bills for the protection of education and public opinion that need, and deserve, crreful considera tion. One bill would make it un lawful lor any person, firm or cor poration doing an interstate business to pay a teacher or school cfficiai to wr.te or revise a textbook. Any act intendrd to influence the use of a particular text or the teaching ot a ‘•doctrine, dogma or theory with in tent to influence public opinion :n favor of any particular govern mental action or public policy*’ would also be prohibited. The other bill would deny second class mailing privileges to any newspaper or mag azine knowingly printing “any read ing matter for pay,” or publishing reading matter “furnished in sub stance” by a display advertiser, without disclosing its origin. The intent of Senator Walsh Li clear, and laudable. He ;s trying to turn back this flood of propaganda that has been let loose cn Amer ica, as disclosed in the federal trade commission’s inquiry into public utility activities and through other sources. He is trying to keep the sources of education and public opmicn free from contamination. But the particular method he pro poses may be open to question. At least it should be examined care fully to ascertain its wisdom and practical application. We should not want to discourage the production of textbooks when ever the purpose cf the author is to add to knowledge. Often when an author Is entering a new field, he r.“3ds assistance. Perhaps, instead of barring him altogether from seek ing financial aid, the law should more wisely provide that where ha does accept such help the name of his sponsor must apear on the title page of the book along with his own. That would have a salutary ef fect and at the same time would in form those who make a choice of fpvf.hrvilrc As for the limitations placed on newspapers, the foolishness, or the outright cupidity of some editors, as revealed in these same hearings, has invited action. Anything to pre vent the contamination of news is for the protection of the public. But again we run into practical considerations. Legitimate news, honestly set forth, ought not be placed in the same class as “press agent stuff.' if Senator Walsh can relieve the newspaper profession of the persistent press agent and at the same time not hamstring it in the collection of fair end interesting news, his contribution ought to be welcome. When sun Snuffs Out. .From Literary Digest. , We have accustomed ourselves to the idea of a slowiy dying sun, grow ing less and less brilliant and less warm through countless ages to come. But if Charles Nordmaim’s interpretation of some recent phy sical theories are correct, the sun is already old. Like a hale old man, it retains much of its vitality, but when it does die, it will go ail at once, just as the man does. Its light and heat will vanish like these of a bulb when the switch is pressed, and the world will be left in cold and dark ness. This prospect, which may be re- I alized tomorrow, so far as M. Nord- i mann knows, he sets before us in an article entitled "The Sun Will 1 End Suddenly,” contributed to Le Matin iPavisi. “The English astronomer Jeans has shown, oy calculations that are quite convincing, that the fate, the life, the evolutions of a star of a certain age, must undergo as a whole the experience of its own atoms,” says M. Nordmann. “At a given moment, when the tempera ture and pressure in the interior of the star reach certain values, al most all its atoms will suddenly lose a certain number of electrons. “At this moment the radiating Sower, the heat and light emitted y the star, will suddenly lessen in a very great degree. The life of an aging star, such as our sun, will thus be made up of a series of sud den catastrophle3, separated by pe riods of calm. “Perhaps this is the explanation of our g—ological periods, which have been so different and so suddenly subject to successive alteration. “But there is something still more serious. The atoms of cur sun, which is a decrepit star, have few more electrons. Next time they will lose all, or nearly all, of the rest. When this occurs, the sun. suddenly cooled, will no longer give as heat and light, and humanity will be snuffed out. This may happen this year, perhaps next month, possibly tomorrow.....- — *—* , •"*“■•• -- Fake Sob Story The person who sent a little Ken tucky girl to her bed, ill, by telling her there is no Santa Claus, had a mean conception of the world, wa said. But he—or she—is no?/ over matched in meanness, by the person who "faked” the story. There is no Tillie Oakley, 9-year old mountain girl, according to a special report made by an Associ ated Press investigator. Meanwhile, letters and packages continue to pile up for "her” in the Paris. Ken tucky, postoffice, sent by peonle in the United States and Canada who were moved by the false account of her illness. They wanted to prove to Tillie that there is a Santa, so they did up nice things in bundles and sent them to the address indicated in the story. The incident, besides showing the strong human sympathy people have, especially for a child, dis closes one other thing. The “fak ing” of a news story, once a not un common practice when a press cor respondent needed cash, is a good deal more hazardous today. The As sociated Press, as soon as it had rea son to doubt the genuineness of this item, sent a special man who spent days investigating, to the end that trustworthiness and correct ness of news might be promoted. He didn't find Tillie. he hasn't settled the question of the elusive Santa, but he did run a canard to earth and thereby makes canards less likely in the future. A Clever Thought. Prom Tit-Bits. Old Sinner: If you will answer me one question, I will come to church. Minister: What is the question. Old Sinner: Who was Cain's wife? Minister: My friend, you will never be able to embrace religion until you stop bothering yourself about other men’s wives. Q. What became of the Monitor? E. L. T. A. She sank off Cape Hatteras on December 31, 1882, during a stiff gale. jp—j—™ —-3-— SHI—M ' Have Kidneys Examined By I Your Doctor — i Take Sali3 ta Wasft Kidneys if Ba;k Fains You or Biadder 1 I Bothers Flush your kidneys by drinking a nu.'irt of water each day, also take* salts occasionally, says a noted au thority, who tells us that too much rh'h food forms acids which almost paralyze the kidneys in their efforts to expel it from the blood. They be come sluggish and weaken; then you may suffer with a dull misery in the kidney region, sharp pains In the back or sick headache, dizziness, your stomach sours, tongue is coated, and when the weather is bad you have rheumatic twinges. The urine gels cloudy, full of sediment, the channels often get sore and irritated, obliging yon to seek relief two or three times during the night To help neutralize these irritating adds, to help cleanse the kidneys and flush off the body’s urinous waste, got four ounces of Jad Salts from any pharmacy here; take a tablespoonful In a glass of water before breakfast for a few days, and your kidneys may then act fine. This famous salts is made from the acid of grapes and lemon Juice, combined with llthla, and lias been used for years to help flush and stimulate sluggish kidneys; also to neutralize the acids in the system so they no longer Irritate, thus often relieving bladder weakness. Jad Salts is inexpensive, cannot In jure and makes a delightful efferves cent lithia-water drink. HANFORD’S Balsam of Myrrh Since 1S4S Las healed Wounds and Sores on Man and Beast All dialer* era authorized te reload your money (or the lire! bottle if not suited. Marvelou* Climate — C004I Hot el 4 — Tourist Campo—Splendid Hoads^tiorgeous Mountain Views. The wonderful desert resort of the Wemt P write Cree A Chaffey aim Siirina*^ CALIFU IC M .V ^ Animals Can Foresee Changes in Weather If you see a bull leading the herd like a colonel at the head of a bat talion, you may be sure that rain is on the way. The bull leads the herd like that when he is angry, because ids temper lias been rutiled by the prospect of rain. To see a bull lick ing his lioofs is also a sure indication of rain. In fact, some animals make very reliable guides to impending weather changes. When a dog seems sleepy, disinterested, and evinces a sudden loss of appetite, it is a sure sign of a heavy fall of rain. The continual cackling and qnncking of ducks and geese and other poullry is said to In dicate rain. Blind Golfer Barton Cooper. thirteen-year-old Mind boy, took up golf a little more than a year ago and lately played nine holes on the municipal courts at San Diego, Calif., in 43 strokes. He plays with a caddy and gets his sense of direction from him. Ten-foot putts are not at all unusual after the caddy rattles the pins in the cups. Troublesome Spider The name “tarantula" Is generally applied in the United States to a cer tain species of large bird spider. It has a bite which is painful but not dangerous, and very seldom fatal, se far as accurate records show. ■=—-—— And Just at Good Uncle Wesley—I’m glad to hear thgt you don’t rend dime novels. Wesley—Not me. I know where I can get them three for a dime. Help is Offered and is freely given to every nervous, delicate woman, by Dr. Pierce. I Write Dr. Pierce’s | Qinic in Buffalo, N.Y., ^or confidential medi cal advice. No charge for this service. Ob tain Dr. Pierce’s Pre scription now, in liquid or tablets, front your druggist or send 10c to Ur. .Fierce at above address, tor trial package of tablets. One woman writes: “About two years ago I suffered with vary severe pains in my right side, had functional disturbances, was weak, nervous and run down. Doctors said I could never he a mother. I began taking Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescrip tion—took eight bottles in all—and today I have a fine healthy boy, and enjoy bettes health. 1 cannot say enough in favor of Dr. Pierces Favorite Prescription."—Mrs. Maud* Bailey, Edgar. Nebr. Have you ever tried Dr. Pierce’s Pellets for the stomach and bowels? INDIGESTION If you are peevish, cross, grouchy cr have a tired feeling with headaches after meals it is usually because your stomach is not able to handle the food you have eaten and needs help. Do not be a grouch but write Watkins, Box 298, Scranton, Pa. for information about a formula worket out by a chemist and used for 17 years ic such '•■■os with amazing success.