davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-05-09

stems would cover any sound I
might make.
He tramped around the floor
above me and quickly decided l
could not be there. Now he was at
the head of the stairs l was de-
scending. rolled off the bottom
S y and into the cobwebs n dirt
under the stairway. The big boat
man came stomping down, directly
I over me.
The dust was choking. I held my
breath.
He stood there. looking around.
]I could have bitten his ankle, but
he didn't see me in the darkness.
He shook the fastening of the boat
tn make sure the boat still was
there.
Must be hiding upstairs" he
muttered to himself, and turned
ard almost ran up the steps. l
heard him mount the second stairs,
then the fainter tramp of his feet
as he searched among the sacks
and boxes.
rolled out from my dirty shelter
and sat up. Through a forest of
piling 1 saw the river, shining in
the sunlight. a current eddied I'M
der the warehouse and rocked the
rowboat at its moorings.
That current looked promising.
I studied it. Small sticks of wood
drifted under the warehouse and
out again. The rowboat tugged
gently at its ropes, as thought it,
too, would like to drift out into the
stream.
Here seemed to be my only
chance of escape. I Unanswered
until he knot of the rope touched
my fingers behind me. 1t was tieo
loosely. In a few minutes it was
undone.
l unanswered until the knot rope
touched my fingers behind me. II
was tied loosely. In a few minutes
it was undone.
Sitting on the rope to hold it.
lowered my bound ankles under
the boat. 1t tipped precariously
when l put my weight on it.
There a no way to get ir+-
the boat except by dropping. l held
my breath and dropped, rolling al
the same time. The injured shout.
der took the brunt of the fall again.
] almost cried out with the pain.
The boat rocked. Water splasheo
over the gunwale. 1 rolled quickly
to prevent it from capsizing, then
lay still, dizzy from the effort.
A few feet above me hung the
Continued on Page Fifteen)
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-05-09
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Ilv wriggling, partly rolling, l gain
ed the wall under the windows.
There I struggled in vain, unable
to rise to my feet.
I Law still, listening. There was
no sound of activity in the building.
Apparently I was alone, for a time
at least. Perhaps l could get down
the stairs to the lower floor.
1 rolled t, the top of the stairs,
stuck my chin over the edge and
looked down. There was enough
light tn show me it was very steep.
The bottom of the stairway was : n
gloomy sh;.dow.
I started down, and there was no
stopping. The blood rushed to my
head. Bump, bump! I rolled, slid
tumbled-fnally slipped under the
railing and dropped the last few
feet with a crash, landing on one
shoulder. I thought It was broken,
but 1 could still move it.
Again I lay still, listening. II
there had been anyone in the build
ing I would surely have attracted
his attention, but there was no
sound. A river boat footed as it
went past. That was all.
This floor was one big bare
room, lighted dimly by dusty win
dcws. There was no place to hide,
and no exit that l could see. A
closed door would be of little use
to me anyway, because I would be
unable to open it.
The : still remained the stair.
way down to the river level.
rolled to it and looked down. Water
glistened in the semi-darkness. II
Tapped softly at the piling.
There was no way of telling
where floor ended and water be.
gan. If 1 tumbled off these steps
aid fell into the water, it would be
the end of me-but 1 couldn't see
that l had any choice. l started
cautiously to descend.
This time l went feet first,
humping down n step at a time.
7 was almost at the bottom when
I heard a door slam, muf1ed by
d;e.ance. omeone cursed.
There was no mistaking the
heavy feet that ramped to h c
head of the second stairs behind
me. 1t was my captor. He came
%hurrying down, swearing and NUT
tering to himself.
I fastened, praying that his
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-05-09
CHAPTER NINE

The sun rose higher. My thirs'
returned and grew worse. Still my
cuptor did not come back. No one
came to work in the warehouse,
although distant factory whistles
told me it was 8 o'clock.
1 tried to guess why L had beer
kidnapped, and what my captor IN
tended to do with me-.
The usual aim of kidnapping was
ruled out. Certainly l wasn't being
held for ransom. l had no money
and no relatives. And, besides, the
big boatman who knocked me out
could have had no advance knowl-
edge that I would be in the garden.
I hadn't even known it myself.
NV chief fear was that the police
would think 1 had run away, but to
credit the kidnaper with deliberate
ly trying to create that impression
was fantastic. 1t didn't seem pos
sible that he could conceive such a
complicated and at the same time
DANGEROUS idea on the spur of the
moment.
l tried, as best as my aching
head would do it. to put myself in
his place.
What was he doing in the garden
at the Rio Vista club at that late
hc-r of the night?
1t seemed unlikely he could have
been there for long; therefore he
must have sneaked up in his boat
and hidden in the willows while the
police we're in the q"rden. He was
no laW-abiding citizen. He w a S
there on dar': business, and he
must have learned, from the con-
versation between Jerry and the
officer, that the police were look
ing for a murderer.
When l approached him in the
dark, he feared he was about to be
discovered, so he had knocked me
down.
Why hadn't he fled alone? Why
hadn't he left me lying there?
The answer seemed to be thai
he was afraid 1 had recognized
him. He didn't want to be linked
v / murder; and to prevent me
from setting the police on his trai
he h2d to take me with him.
What would he do with me now:
He wasn't sure whether l knew
him or not. His only safe course O.
action would be to put me out o
the way altogether.
l had hea of people being bu
ried in cement and dropped into
river. There also was a way o
making unwanted persons disap
pear thoroughly in quicklime.
1 struggled up to a sitting posi-
ton, perspiring. l must try to ge
loose from these ropes
My hands had lost their numb
ness because l had stretched tn
fastenings by straining at them
but the knots were tighter thai
ever My only hope vas to cut tn
rope. 1 looked at the windows
Could l break the glass and thel
rub the rope on n Of the jagged
pieces.
1t seemed unlikely, but possible
1 discovered that by lying OF
the floor I could move slowly, us
ing my shoulders and knees. Part
Evening star., 1940-02-18
Alliance Francaise
To Hear NJ. Urmatt

M. Frederic Urmatt Of France,
writer and official lecturer for the
1939-40 season for all groups of the
French Alliances in the United
States and Canada, will be the guest
of honor of the Alliance Franchise
of Washington at its conference to-
morrow afternoon in the Sulgrave
Club. M Urmatt has chosen for his
topic Comment en- debute Paris:
Promenade a travers lie Paris Lit
teraire"
The French Ambassador, Count de
Saint-Quentin, is the honorary pres
ident of the alliance in Washington,
and the other officers are Mr.. Lynch
Luquer, president; Mrs. John M.
Biddle and DR.. N. H. Darton, vice
presidents, and Mr.. w. T. Brantley,
honorary secretary. Members of the
Advisory Board are Mrs. Charles S.
Alden, Mrs. George F. Becker, Mrs.
Evening star., 1940-02-18

spend the remainder of the winter
IN Annapolis with Mr.. and Mrs. Jor-
dan Dorsey.
Mrs. G. Henry Camalier Of this
city entertained at a luncheon fol-
lowed by bridge Thursday evening
at her home, White Hall, on WASH
ington street.
Announcement is made today of
the wedding Of Miss Charlotte Anne
Higgs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T..
Manley Higgs of Medleys Neck, to
Mr.. William Kiebert Herbert of
Dynard February in the St. Gabriel
Church, Washington, with a nuptial
mass being celebrated by the pastor
of the church. The bride is gradu-
ate of st. Mary's Academy. Mr.. and
Mrs. Herbert will make their home
In Baltimore, Md.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jack Hancock have
returned to their home after spend
ing their vacation in Miami, Fla.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Bowling an
nounce today the marriage of their
daughter, Miss Ellen Bowling Of
Newport, to Mr.. Clyde Putnam of
Jacksonville, Fla, which took place
February at the M. E. Church in
La Plata, with the pastor, the Rev. H.
H. Hoyt, performing the ceremony
Following the ceremony Mr.. and Mrs.
Putnam left by motor for Florida.
Announcement is made here today
Evening star., 1940-02-18

Of the marriage Of Miss Lillian Agnes
Bowdish, daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs.
George Bowdish of Waldorf and
formerly Of Cleveland, Ohio, who on
February became the bride Of Mr..
Richard r. Clark, son Of Mr.. and
Mrs. A. J. Clark of La Plata. The
ceremony took place at Wayside r.
c. Church, Chaptico, St.. Marys
County, Md, with the pastor, the
Rev. Father c. Greenwell, officiating.
The bride had as her maid of honor
Miss Eleanor Cox of White Plains,
Md. Mr.. Joseph Cecil Gardiner of
La Plata was the best man. Mr.. and
Mrs. Clark are at present making
their home with the bridegroom's
parents in La Plata. Mr.. Clark is a
graduate of Sacred Heart High
School and also attended the Strayer
Business College and is now con-
nected with the La Plata Post Office.
Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Simpson of
Bel Alton announce the marriage
February of their daughter, Miss
Elsie Simpson, to Mr. Charles Gar
ner, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Garner
and the late Mr.. Richard Garner.
The wedding took place in the
Sacred Heart Church, with Father
James Graham. S. j., performing
the ceremony. They will reside on q
farm near Bel Alton.
Evening star., 1940-02-18
Social Notes
Of Southern
Maryland
Several Weddings
Included in the
Weeks News

LEONARDTOWN, Md, Feb. IT,
Mrs. B. B. Lowe, jr., is spending three
weeks in Washington with her sis
ter, Mrs. Leila M. Hodges.
County Land Assessor and Mrs.
George Lawrence of Mount Airy
will entertain a large number of
guests at dinner tomorrow.
Mr.. and Mrs. Paul j. Bailey en-
tertained at Valentine dinner
party Wednesday at their residence
on st. Clements Bay.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. Bernard Abel of
Clements were hosts at dinner and
reception Wednesday evening, the
occasion being their 25th wedding
anniversary. Mrs. Abel, who wore
a pink evening gown with a shoul-
der corsage of talisman roses, was
assisted in receiving by her four
daughters, Mrs. Roach Clarke of
Ridge and the Misses Jannett, Re-
ginia and Angeline Abel. Over 100
guests and members Of the immedi-
ate family attended the affair.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arnold w. Fuchs Of
Mechanicsville announce the mar
riage of their daughtr, Miss Ruth
Marie Fuchs, to Mr.. James o. Cook
sey, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Vivian
Cooksey of Indianhead. which took
place on February at the Immacu-
late Conception Roman Catholic
Church, Mechanicsville. The Rev
Father A. j. Schirman officiated. Mrs.
Reginald Gardiner of Waldorf, Md,
was matron of honor, while Mr..
William A. Fuchs acted as best man.
An informal reception was held at
the home of the brides parnts, after
which Mr.. and Mrs. Cooksey left on
their honeymoon. Upon their return
they will make their home at Indian
head. Mr.. Cooksey is employed by
the United States naval powder
plant in Indianhead.
Mrs. Merle Cough entertained at
her home on South Washington
street Tuesday afternoon at VAL
entine party.
Mrs. Walter Dorsey left today to
Evening star., 1940-02-18
Takorl1a Park
Parties Given
Before Dance
Mr.. F. B. Austin
And Wife Among
The Hosts

Representative and Mrs. William
D. Byron OF Maryland were guests
Of honor Of Mr.. and Mrs. r. Byrne
Austin, who entertained In their Ia
koma Park home last evening. The
party preceded the midwinter dance
Of the Junior Women's Club at the
Indian Spring Country Club. Mr..
Austin is secretary to Representative
Byron.
Mr.. and Mrs. De witt Zook were
hosts at . cocktail party before the
dance in compliment to Mr.. and Mrs.
v. Rawlins Preston Of Englewood,
N. j., who are their house guests.
Mrs. w. L. Holt and her sister,
Miss Catherine Post, entertained
Jointly at q bridge luncheon Friday
in the formers home.
Mrs. Albert w. vollkmer
To Give Bridge Luncheon.
Mrs. Albert w. Vollkmer has is
sued invitations for bridge lunch
con Tuesday and also for a similar
party Wednesday, February %. Mrs.
Vollkmer was hostess at the second
Of this series of bridge luncheons, en-
tertaining Friday afternoon in her
Takoma Park home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Preston B. Longley
have with them Mr.. Longley's par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Willis Longley Of
Greene, Me.
DR.. Charles G. Carroll has left for
st. Petersburg, Fla, to remain until
the latter part of April.
Mrs. Mellon Libby entertained at
dessert bridge Friday afternoon.
Mrs. Howard H. Harrigan will en-
tertain tomorrow night, when her
guests will be members of the
Mother Gordon Bible Glass.
Mr.. Charles K. Ramsdell, son Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Jesse Ramsdell, Is vis-
iting Mr.. and Mrs. Kirk HOLSTER at
their home In Lovington, Va.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles j. Spencer
and their daughter That's are in
Miami, Fla.
Evening star., 1940-02-18
-HesSler Photo.

having starry blue fairly dance to the time her excited
little manneriss waking minute Of the
responds things with readiness that
whmng Extremely approachable she treats others with fac
familiarity and aabtythe the merrier being her motto He
compannsp She the protective instincts
Hands chn the features by which she first judges people
Mary enthusiastic the Macbeth white orchids
fresde people with strength Of character
the French New Orleans and
at the Virginia Military Institute.
piano and interested interior
decorating very Southern plantation
longngs be called drive home
morning from party a milk truck.
Evening star., 1940-02-18
Bolivian Minister
Host at Dinner
For House Guest

The Bolivian Minister and Sc
nora de Guachalla entertained
at dinner last evening in com.
pliment to their house guest,
Sonora de Pila Subercaseaux,
who Is with them for q short
stay. Sonora de Subercaseaux
+, has been In Florida for some
weeks and is en- route to New
York, where she now makes her
home.
The Minister Of Finland, M.
Hjalmar Procope, returned yes
terday afternoon from . brief
stay In New York.
Evening star., 1940-02-18
About Wel>Known Folk
In Books, Art, Politics
Mrs. Sumner Welles Accompanies
Undersecretary on Trip Abroad;,
Inside" the State Department
By ROBERT CRAWFORD.

Mrs Sumner Wees wife of the Undeecretary Of State who sailed
yesterday husband
while
England France Italy and Germany Known their nmates
they seldom separated lead Darby
life official obligations will permit enjoying
dinners conversation enera sparkling
Wees almost committing distance
Weles will doubtless with the
countries and San
Reno the glorious italian Riviera
France abroad that long there the festival
Those much italy
that travelling pleasure owing
with making
Evening star., 1940-02-18

sertion of departmental officials,
We have no secrets :"
BY the way, the general opinion
in Congress and of the public seems
to be that the Department of State
and the diplomatic service is largely
made up of Groton and Harvard
men when, as a matter of fact,
from a count made sometime ago
when the Secretary was reorganiz-
ing the department, it was found
that out of a personnel of a trif1e
over 1000 in the foreign service
there were but 20 Groton and 100
Harvard men.
Evening star., 1940-02-18

SOIAluy, dAc AAdtCAilCoo, giving Cooy
access to all the historic and beauti-
full italian countryside.
Mrs. Welles Enjoys Wide
Acquaintance in Europe.
Mrs. Welles, a woman of great dis
tinction and charm of manner, has
many friends in all parts of Europe.
AS Mathilde Townsend, she was one
of the reigning bellies of Washington
who enjoyed equal popularity abroad,
but always seemed to prefer her own
country, and when she chose Mr..
Peter Gerry of Rhode Island as her
first husband, instead of one of the
Oldest and most distinguished titles
of southern Europe, she settled down
in the States. Now she and Mr..
Welles since their marriage spend
most of their time at their country
house out in Maryland. Mrs. Welles
as girl was one of the best known
horsewomen of the Capital and she
certainly was beauty as one often
saw her riding out Massachusetts,
avenue on housekeeping thorough
bred.
Mr.. Welles as one of Uncle Sans
prize diplomats has had rather
unusual record since he first came
to the corps in 1915 when he was
assigned as secretary at Toxic. Re-
naming there only short time he
was then sent to Buenos Aires and
it was while he was en- poste there
fhot ho horopoo iy,toroctoI II, Co,,tI
American possibilities as good
neighbor which later led to his be-
ing made chief of the Latin Anieri-
can division of the Department of
State, while still in his 30s. 1t has
been observed in the department
that it is doubtful if Secretary of
State and his first assistant have
ever before worked together with
the complete understanding which
has characterized the intercourse of
Mr.. Hull and his undersecretary.
Mr.. Hull Faces
Trying Positions.
Secretary Hull, who has spent
more than a quarter of century in
public life and who always has
taken his official duties seriously
and conscientiously, must often have
found his duties as Secretary of
State the most exacting he has had
to fill For after years in the House
and Senate 1t must be a trifle diff
cult-to put it mildly-for one of
Mr.. Hull's frankness not to be able
to speak his mind out loud when
there is a crying need to- do so.
And through Mr.. Bertram Hulen,
in his very interesting book, Inside
the Department of State" says I'VE
have no secrets" there is no diplo-
matte immunity there if one should
speak out of turn.
And, while Mr.. Hulen assures his
readers that there is nothing mystic
rious about the operations or the
conduct of American diplomacy, he
admits "a popular tradition of mys-
terry attaches to its operations be-
cause diplomatic negotiations so
often are conducted in confidence, -
but adds, "that the facts are made
known as soon as arrangements
have been advanced to a sufficiently
definite point, or are revealed un-
der the searching examination OF
Congress or the press :. There is
more truth than rhetoric in the as
Evening star., 1940-02-18
Future Debutantes
By Catherine Hambley

Miss Mary Ferrandou weknown member Of the coming
deb student olon She viii bow to society here and
Orleans her parents Mr. and Mrs Alfred
Detroit her at
Rehoboth Beach, ~
proud volatile person. and wen
aggressvy full ideas Mary When she IL
Evening star., 1940-02-18

Laurence v. Benet, Mrs. Carlos del
Mar, Mrs. James Carroll Frazer, Mrs.
w. A. Hayes, Mrs. Hennen Jennings,
Mrs. Newslands Johnston, Miss
Sarah Lee, Miss Mamie Macomb,
Evening star., 1940-02-18

Mrs. Lawrence Townsend, Mrs. Wal
ter r. Tuckerman, DR.. Florian Vur-
pilot and Miss Harriet Winslow.
Evening star., 1940-07-01
7ebbetts, BoseboIrs Champion
Jockey, Finally MuffIed
By Kennedy's WoI|op

you'd better pass over todays pa
pers'
The results show in Williams
record against the Tigers this year.
However" Birdie admits, "I don t
work the same stuff with Jimmy
Foxx. When I'd give him the
needle, I'd see the corner of his
mouth curl up-and the next thing
the ball would be sailing out of the
lot"
Fletcher Victim, Too.
Brides right to the title of boss
man needler probably lies in the
fact that he's about the only lock
ey" who can steam up Art Fletcher,
the Yankees coach.
Tebbett's recalls that Art had a
fire In his house a couple of years
back and there was considerable
damage. So Birdie gets out there
behind Fletcher and inhales deeply
of the breeze blowing off the left
field corner.
Gosh. Art" he calls, "aint it a
swell day for a fire? Just enough
wind to make the flames spread
nicely. And no clouds to bring rain
Bov. is this the day?"
Fletcher runs for the nearest ball
bat and there is anything but peace
and the brotherhood of man in his
heart Is it anv wonder then that
Vernon Kennedy busted into the
Tigers clubhouse before yesterdays
doubleheader and belted Tebbetts
right in the left eve?
Evening star., 1940-07-01
American Loop Turns Rockies National Oms Leaders ALL Star Choices
FeI|er Likely AN-Stor Starter
For A. l., Picked to Provide
Games Greatest Player

Should any Of the newcomers need
steadying by an experienced veteran
it will oe supplied by Jimmy Foxx
of Boston, elected to every all-star
squad since the first game in 1888.
Bill Dickey, New York catcher. will
be on hand seventh time. 1t will
be third all-star year for Bob
Feller of Cleveland, who won his
18th game of the season Saturday
and who may get the starting pitch
ing assignment. He'll have the
assistance of such proven hurting
stars as Detroit's Buck Newsom and
Tommy Bridges and New York's Red
Rufhng.
Many Fine Performances.
Each year produces much argu-
ment among fans over the selections
of the eight managers and this year
| controversy may center around
failure to name to the squad such
aces as the hard hitting Ray Rad
cliff of st. Louis and Barney Nc
Cosky of Detroit and the capable
Bobby Doerr, Boston second sacker.
The seven previous all-star en-
gagements, producers of five wins for
the American Leaguers and two for
the National circuit, are studded with
high spots such as Babe Ruth's
slugging in 1888; Carl Hubbell's great
strikeout performance in 1884; Foxx' s
three runs batted in that meant an
American League win in 1885:
Feller's great pitching last year at
New York. when he gave no hits in
32s innings.
Evening star., 1940-07-01
Sweep by Klein S Nine
OF City League A
Series Looms
First-HuIf Title Taken
In Rout Of Flood; B
Crown to PIuzu

Klein's Tavern, defending cham
pion in the National City Sunday A
League, is in commanding position
to win its second straight title. On
the strength of winning the first
half race, which it did yesterday by
swamping j. C. Flood, 81, Klein S
has been made a favorite to sweep
the second half and take the crown
again without even a playof being
necessary.
Bill Liggett, hurting for the Tav-
ern players, held the Plumbers to
four hits and permitted run only
in the sixth inning. Meanwhile,
Klein's picked up two runs in the
first frame and went on from there,
collecting IS hits off a succession
Of three Flood tossers.
The Section B title also was de-
cided yesterday with Plaza Tile win
ming the crown over st. Francis
Xavier, 1917. Tommy Doonis pitched
a four hitter for Plaza, most Of the
Saints scoring being done on Plaza
errors. In other B Section games,
Washington Home Improvement
kept third place by winning over
Atchison-Keller, 7-3, and Capital
Cafe swamped Arcade Market. 1873
Feature of the junior section of
the league was the game in which
Cardinal A. c. came through to
down the previously undefeated
Uline outfit, TO In other junior
games, Woodbridge nosed out WASH
ington Boys Club. 9-8; Kneessi took
another close one over Naiman, 5-4
and Friendship House whitewashed
Police Boys Club No. 4, 60.
Evening star., 1940-07-01
BY SID FEDER,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

NEW YORK, July 1.-Just what
the Tigers catcher said to the
Brownies pitcher isn't known at the
moment, but the chances are Ver-
non Kennedy had a lot of moral en-
couragement from the rest of the
American League when he upped
and put the slug on Birdie Tebbetts
yesterday.
For Birdie is a pretty handy guy
at getting goats-in the same class
with such noted needlers as old
Blubber Malone, late of the Cubs
and Yankees, and Lefty Gomez and
Jimmy Dykes.
Birdie got that tag for his voice.
It's high-pitched affair that car
ries way out to the right field cor
ner and some American Leaguers
have found out even stufing their
ears with cotton doesn't help.
Gets Williams Goat.
For instance, there's Ted Will
liams, the very long distance better
of the Boston Red Sox. Birdie has
Ted as jittery as gal on her first
date.
Gee, Ted" Birdie will chirp from
behind his mask when Williams
steps up to the plate against De-
troit, did you see what those base
ball writer's did to you in the
papers today? They moidered you
# you're keeping a scrap book