davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
They Make Plans for
A Desperate Defense

For three days and nights the
schooner had been buffeted about
by waves and wind, plaything of
the sea, drifting without guidance
or direction. The chance of bring
ing order out of chaos seemed an
insurmountable task for woman,
and almost in despair Rose was
about ready to yield to the inevita-
BILE when the lugger appeared.
But her fighting spirit, in spite
of it's low ebb, had not entirely de-
serted her. The lugger's crew and
suspicious character had awakened
a worse fear in her mind. A fate
more to be dreaded than drifting
helplessly around on a derelict
aroused her. In desperation she de-
termined to defend the schooner
against the Caribs, selling her own
life as dearly as possible.
Dick Jordan's appearance as an
ally Immediately stiffened her cour-
age. They discussed the situation
calmly and practically on deck aft
er a refreshing cup of coffee in the
cabin with Captain Bedford "We
have plenty of firearms aboard" I"
she told Dick. "Father always car
ried regular arsenal"
"Three of us, then, well armed, !"
he replied, "can put up a pretty
stiff fight"
"Two," she said, shaking her
head. eve must leave father out
of it. don't dare trust him with
a weapon. He might turn it upon
us in one of his wild moods"
Dick nodded, recalling the friend
ly overtures the captain had made
to the boarding party against his
daughters wishes. Wouldn't it be
safer to confine him to the cabin?"
he asked after a pause. "He would
be safe there, and out of the way"
eyes, thought of that" she nod
ded. "We could lock him in there.
If things got desperate we would
retreat to the cabin. That would
be our final stand. I'd like father
with me then"
'That's the only thing to, do.
Where is he now?"
'Dozing below. He always sleeps
after taking a glass. I'll go down
now, and lock him in while he's
asleep"
Dick paced the deck restlessly
while she was gone. The lugger had
dropped anchor at safe distance
from the schooner. Everything was
quiet aboard her, with no evidence
that another plan of attack was
brewing.
"Tucu will wait until it's dark, %
he unused. "Then under cover of
night he'll attack from several quar-
ters. That's his plan."
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
CHAPTER Nv

She made no pressing inquiry for
an explanation, but her eyes were
watching him inquisitively. "1t
sounds like a stage farce" he
laughed finally, 'but it was the best
I could do at the time. That Cap
tain Tucu swallowed the story was
q surprise to me-"
"Will you please tell me what the
story is?"
Briefly as he could, Dick sketched
all that had happened to him since
the laundering of the City of Bahai.
SNOW" he concluded, "you can
understand why Tucu will persist in
taking the schooner. So longs I'm
aboard he'll keep at it. I'm not sure
but can do you the greatest favor
by leaving. Perhaps I will"
"Where will you go?" she asked,
smiling with her eyes and lips.
"Back to the lugger."
wouldn't they kill you if they
laid hands on you again?"
''No, not right away" he replied.
''It's my supposed knowledge of the
existence of those jewels that would
protect me. After they were con-
vinced had been deceiving them
why, then, I don't imagine Tucu
would be restrained by any scruples
from wreaking vengeance.
"But you didn't intend to wait un-
til them" she added.
''No, was planning to leave at
the first opportunity. I was on the
lookout for ships"
"And this schooner being the first,
you took it to get away from them?"
"No, that isn't quite true" he re-
turned, his eyes twinkling. 81 real
ly didn't think of myself when I
decided to change ships. saw
what they intended to do, and heard
your defiance of them. It was
was-well, habit of mine, we'll call
it, Of jumping in whenever there's
a chance of an adventure. I want
ed to see the fun, and Tucu had re-
fused to let me come aboard"
She appeared a little amused by
his evident attempt to avoid the
real reason. She suddenly grew
more friendly. Turning to him, she
said frankly: ''I'm glad you came,
and I hope you'll stay. Since father
lost his reason, I've had everything
to do. It was the storm, and the
crew-they abandoned us right in
the midst of it. Father was down
with high fever, and 1.-the men
didn't trust me to manage things.
think they were superstitious about
father; he talked and acted in a way
that frightened them. His mind
here he comes now," she broke off
in whisper. ''Never mind what
he says. He's not responsible for
what he tells"
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
A Night of Anxiety
Wears Slo,Uly On

The fear of another storm, how
ever, was secondary to the danger
threatening them from the lugger.
With the sky completely overcast,
the moment favorable for an attack
was hastened by a couple of hours.
They got up and began pacing the
deck restlessly, watching and lis
tening, peering through the gloom
and halting every time a fish broke
or a splash in the water attracted
their attention. They talked in low,
guarded voices.
''We mustn't keep together"
Rose whispered finally. ''We must
divide the watch. I'll take the stern,
and you the bow. We can meet on
our rounds and report"
It was the only sensible thing to
do, but Dick hated to be separated
from her in the darkness. Besides
missing her companionship, he was
afraid something might happen to
her when he wasn't present to lend
his assistance. Suppose the Caribs
chose the stern for the attack and
overwhelmed her before he knew
of her dangerl
He made his circuit of the for
ward deck a little hastily and reck-
lessly, and found himself at the
meeting place long before she had
completed her round, When he saw
her finally emerge from the gloom,
he drew a sigh of relief.
"An weli?" he asked.
She nodded, and after few mo-
ments of pause she turned to re-
new her beat. , Nrs W
(To BE CoNTNUEDl
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
Dick Gets Acquainted
With Captain Bedford

Captain Bedford, with vacant
stare in his eyes, came tumbling
up the companion, mumbling and
grinning to himself. He was man
past fifty, stout and thick-set, griz-
zled of beard and hard of muscles;
but the mind had been thrown out
of gear by a knock on the head,
caused by falling spar in the
midst of the storm. Catching sight
of Dick, he stopped and blinked
hard at him. Then with an idiotic
grin on his face, he approached
with both hands extended.
"Is it We, Mr.. Crew." he called
cheerily.
''He takes you for the mate"
whispered the girl. "Humor him."
"Well, it's most time we pulled
up anchor, amt it? There amt
goin' to be any storm after all. I
told ye SOL told ye so, Mr.. Crew!
If it wasn't for that pig-headed su-
perstition Of yours that an easterly
wind means a big blow ye'd be-
lieved me afore."
AAC SIOPPC0 SuQOCIlly anu RaZGQ
at the lugger. ''What ships that,
daughter? I don't seem to remem.
ber her. Hail her, an ask the cap
tain aboard. Well have a dram
of rum together. Cap'ns have to be
friendly when in harbor. No." start
ing for the side, ''I'll hail her."
''No, father" interrupted Rose,
"not now. You must go below and
rest. Mr.. Crew and I will follow"
Dick nodded and smiled, which
seemed to please the captain, for
he descended the stairs, rubbing his
hands, and mumbling gleefully.
When he was gone, Dick glanced at
his companion. Her face was more
drawn and set than when Captain
Tucu had her cornered, with the
Caribs in front and back of her.
In that brief instant she had aged
several years, a tired, weary ex-
preston in the eyes and face.
Rose Bedford was child of the
sea, born in a small seaport vii
lage, but bred and brought up on
the sea under the tutelage of her
father, her mother having died at
an age when daughters have only
the faintest conception of their need
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
sHE Story THUS FAR:

FHE Story THUS FAR:
After being adrift for four days on .
raft, Dick Jordan Is picked up by q
small sailing vessel in the Caribbean.
Dick realizes che captain and his crew
are little better than pirates. Tucu, the
captain, starts toward the area where
the sunken steamer on which Dick had
been a passenger is now lying. On the
way they come upon a derelict schoon-
er. On board Is Captain Bedford, ap-
parently insane, and his daughter, Rose.
Tucu, captain Of the pirates, attempts to
board the vessel, but is turned back
by Roses automatic. Dick swims to the
schooner and helps Rose to drive OF
the pirates. Dick fears Tucu will return
during the night.
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
BY Gssys & MM

Of maternal care. Captain Bedford
was lonely; jealous of relatives
who gave his child home when he
was away, and absolutely hungry
for her companionship; and when
he reached point where he could
no longer endure the separation he
literally kidnapped her and car
ried her away to sea with him.
After that Rose had lived on the
schooner, visiting more coast towns
and cities than few girls of her age
expect to see in a life time. She
grew into a strong, robust, indie
pendent girl, skillful in handling
anything that foated or had sails;
learned at first hand all the mys-
teries of the sea and the lore of
sailors, and during her brief So
journ on shore in various ports of
the world picked up miscellaneous
information that was more practi-
cal than theoretical. But the sea
was her life and the old schooner
her home.
When Dick Jordan met her she
was as competent navigator of a
sailing craft as any man af1oat, and
her knowledge of seamanship had
enabled her in the crisis to save
the schooner after the crew had
abandoned her. Captain Bedford
had been injured by falling spar,
and for twenty-four hours had how
cred between life and death. When
he recovered the use of his mus
cles, but not of his mind, he was
worse than useless. His wild bab-
bling frightened the superstitious
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
FIatters Mature Figure

COMFORTABLE, practical and
~ neat-as-a-pin home frock for
day-long charm. Note the unusual
yoke treatment, the smooth lines
so fattering to the more mature
figure. Try it in brightly hued
stripe with novelty buttons in a
contrasting shade.
Pattern No. 8O46 is designed for sizes
"a, &c. 38. 40, AZ, A, 46, 48 and so. Size
36 requires yards of 35 or 39-inch fabric.
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
Heavyweight Champs

Among Americas professional
wrestlers today, more than 20
claim to be "The Worlds Heavy
weight Champion" and at least a
dozen employ the title of CANCEL"
such as the Irish Angel, the
French Angel and the Swedish
Angel.
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
s' IMPROVED
UNIFORM llNTERllATlO ONAL
SSsooy SSessoooy
Lesson for September l
SUNDAY SCHOOL-1s.s EMS
BY HAROLD l.. LUNDQUIST, d. d.
OF The Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago.

lected and copyrighted by International
Council of Religious Education: used by
The midland journal., 1946-08-30
bbe10
Teen Age TwO-Piecer

GOOD season after season is the
~ becoming two-piece dress.
Right for every occasion, and not
difficult for the teen-age sewer to
whip up. This attractive version
has a button-front blouse with
youthful slit neckline and gently
fared peplum to accent doll-like
waist.
Pattern No. 1881 comes in sizes IL. IL,
13, IA, 16 and 49, Size IL. blouse, 11a yards
of IS or 39-inch: skirt, 17s yards.
Send VOLT order to.
The midland journal., 1946-08-30

Rose suddenly found that her sea-
manship was of little avail without
the power to command obedience.
crew, and reduced them to surly,
disorganized, mutinous mob. The
crew disregarded Roses orders,
and took matters in their own
hands. They abandoned the schoon-
er in the middle of the storm.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-01-10
LAND PRICES RISE
.4S PER CENT In
LAST Ten YEARS
Losing Battle Is Waged Against
Infiation's Effect On Farm
Land Prices
Higher Cost OF Farms Repre-
sent Snag In Farming Plans
OF War Veterans

Farm land prices in Ohio includ-
ing the Bluffton area have risen 48
per cent above the average values
prevailing in the 1859 period and
prices now being paid are only %
per cent below the 1920 peak.
Specific information regarding the
losing battle against farm price in
fiation was in a report on the stu
alton by the Ohio State University
Agriculture Extension service coop
Grating with the L. S. Department
of Agriculture.
With farm economists forecasting
a recession in farm income in 1916,
state authorities are advising Ohio
farmers not to assume land mort
cages that cannot be paid off at
lower crop prices, in the hope that
their warning may awaken land
buyers to the inflated value Of farm
ing ssFveasss. se sr@@AsSss - - -
Continued on page 81
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-01-10
Two Chinese I'm Blufft0n To Learn
Industrial Methods At Plant Here


Clayton Murray, Button night
police for the past three years re-
signed his position effective Wednes-
day. The resignation which he
handed to Mayor w. A. Howe, Tues
day night, will probably be sub
mitted to the town council for ac-
ceptances at its next meeting.
No announcement was forthcom-
ing Wednesday morning as to Muir
rays successor, however it was stat
ed that arrangements would be
made later in the day for a tenn
porary appointment. to fill the va
cancy.
For some time Murray has been
at odds with the city administration
in connection with the duties of his
office and his resignation followed
action Monday night when he was
appointed by the mayor and confirmed
by the newly-elected council to con-
tinue as night police for the month
of January.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-01-10
Cost Accountant and Electrical
Engineer Observe at
Triplett Company
Two Here are Part of Large
Group Sent to u. S. by
Chinese Government

Thousands of miles from their
homeland, two young Chinese indus
trial observers are working at the
Bluffton plant of The Triplett Elec-
trical Instrument Co. to gain extern
sive training in technical fields which
they will take back to their own in
dustries in the Orient.
Here for one-year period to OBJ
serve American industrial methods
are Yu, Pin-Tseng and Wang, Liang-
Mel, both in their thirties. They
pointed out that in the Chinese listing
as given above the surname appears
first.
Both have wives and children whom
they left behind in China when they
left their posts in industry to come to
this country under a program spon-
sored by the Chinese government.
They qualified for the opportunity to
observe American industrial methods
thru competitive examinations.
Yu is a cost accountant and in
China worked in a plant manufactur-
ing electrical equipment and radio re-
ceivers and transmitters. Wang, an
electrical engineer, was with similar
concern. Both were familiar with
Triplett products before coming to
this country.
The two men are part of a group
of 1000 foreign nationalists who are
in the United States to observe and
learn industrial methods of this coun-
try. They were chosen because of
their abilities and skills.
Details of setting up the training
program are handled by the Interna-
tional Training Administration, Inc,
a non-profit private enterprise in
Washington, DC, established for that
purpose.
Both of them left China before the
close of the war, and were flown out
of the country by airplane over 1.-The
Hump" to India.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-01-10
In New Locations

Clyde Ream who recently purchas-
ed the Fay Isham property on w.
Mound street is occupying the place,
having moved recently from Orange
township
The Orange township property
vacated by Ream is being occupied
by Rev. w. H. Turner and family
of Rhinelander, Wis. Rev. Turner
recently accepted call to the Riley
Greek Baptist church in Orange
township.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fay Isham, accom-
panied by her mother, Mrs. w. c.
Boothby have moved to Lima. The
Boothby property on South Jackson
street is occupied by Harold Balmer
and family.
Chas. A. Montgomery and family
are occupying the South Jackson
street residence recently purchased
from Paul Detwiler. The Orange
township farm vacated BY Mr.. and
Mrs. Montgomery is occupied by
their son Chas. ". Montgomery who
recently returned from overseas
Army service.
The Paul Detwiler family are
making their. home for the present
with Mrs. Detwiler's parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Homer Gratz near Bluff
fnn $3.50 Asa = ssfs. = - NEs<
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-01-10
With The Service Men

Cpl. Francis Schumacher residing
west of Bluffton has received his
Army discharge at Indiantown Gap,
Pa, after three and one-half years
of service, 18 months of which were
spent in the European theatre of
war with the 9th Armored division.
He was awarded three battle stars
and the Purple Heart medal for
wounds received in action.
Freeman Basinger, with the Army
of occupation in Japan has been ad-
vanced to the rank of private first
class.
Sgt. Melvin Long, Jr., has arrived
home after receiving his Army dis
charge at Camp Atterbury, Ind. He
spent 81 months in the service, 10 of
which were in the European and
Pacific war areas.
Raymond Greding, stationed at
Compeign, France, has been promot-
ed from the rank of staff sergeant
to technical sergeant.
David Tosh of the Coast Guard
was home on leave the first of the
week visiting his parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. John Tosh of South Lawn Ave
Ems. Dale Reichenbach, son of
Postmaster and Mrs. Ed Reichen-
bach was here the past week, after
having received his discharge from
the Navy.
John B. Johnson, son of Mr.. ind
Mrs. M. B Johnson of South Main
street with occupation forces in Ko-
rea, has been promoted from rank
of corporal to staff sergeant.
Cpl. LaVerne Huber, son of Mr.
and Mrs. w. H Huber living south
of Bluffton returned home Thursday
on receiving his Army discharge
after 38 months of service, Ia OF
which were spent in Europe He was
tank driver with the 18th Armorec
division and received the bronze star
and good conduct medal.
/ Pvt. Harold Amstutz, son of Mr.
and Mrs. VIM. Amstutz, has com.
pleted a three weeks camoufiage
course at the Engineers school il
Ft Belvoir, Virginia.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-01-10
Last Rites Held
For Sarah Beery

Funeral services were held Monday
afternoon in the Paul Diller chapel
for Miss Sarah Beery, 20, of 314 S.
Jackson street, who died Saturday
morning in Bluffton Community hos
pital. She had been i'll for an ex-
tended period.
Rev. John Esau officiated at the
last rites and burial was in Zion Men
monte cemetery.
Miss Beery was born in Perry
county but had lived in Bluffton vir-
tually all her life. She was men,
Der of the Ebenezer Mennonite church.
Surviving are two brothers. David
NJ, of South Jackson street, and John
H., of Pandora, and sister, Mrs.
Susan Good, Bluffton.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-01-10
BIG EXPANSION FOR
POWER PLANT HERE
BEGUN BY UTILITY
Central Ohio Light and Power
Interests Launch
S650,000 Project
New Circuit to Findlay to be
Completed by Spring; Ad-
ditlon to Plant Coming

A S650,000 expansion program
embracing the installation of a new
boiler and additional generating
equipment at the Central Ohio
Light and Power Company's Bluffton
plant, and the construction of a
second circuit between Bluffton and
Findlay, was announced this week.
Work will be started Immediately
on lines for the new circuit to Find
lay, and installation of the boiler,
the fourth at the local plant, likely
will be completed during 1916.
Installation of another turbine
generator at the plant cannot get
under way until new equipment is
available, and the start of that phase
of the expansion project is indefinite.
Build Addition To Plant
Expansion of generating facilities
will require construction of an adj
dition to the local plant, work that
is expected to start this summer.
Building the new addition must
precede installation of the boiler and
turbine, it was explained.
Running second power circuit to
Findlay is precautionary measure
to insure uninterrupted service to the
city. Materials are now being
delivered for the start of work, ana
the line will be completed by spring
according to present plans.
A similar second circuit was built
two years ago from the local plant
to st. Marys.
Get Bids on Boiler
Specifications for the new boiler
have been drawn by company
engineers, and Sergeant and Lundy,
of Chicago, now are receiving bids
and letting contracts for the work.
Nothing definite can be obtained
at present on delivery dates for the
turbine generator but those details
will be worked out as soon as the
present situation is remedied.
The Woodcock generating station
at Bluffton was built in 1887, and
was designed so additional units
could be installed as electrical
service provided by the company ex-
panded.
The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-01-10
Community Farm Institute Will
Be Held Here January % And "a
Discussions OF Community
Problems Featured; Music
And Drama On Program
Joint Meetings Set For Opening
Day; Separate Sessions Also
On Program

Buttons annual two-day commun-
ity institute, one of the highspots of
each winter season, will be held this
year on Wednesday and Thursday,
Jan. % and "a.
Offering varied program of in
structive talks, discussion sessions
and entertaining features, the insti-
tute will follow the usual pattern of
joint sessions on the opening day
followed by individual meetings of
mems and women's organizations.
Mrs. c. E. Duff, of North Canton
will be one of the state speakers al
the institute. She is a naturalized
British native who has been an in
fluential community leader since she
came to this country. She was a re.
preventative at the International Con.
ference on World Economic Coopera.
tion in 1888.
C. c. Terrell, of New Vienna, Clin.
ton county, is the other state repre-.
sentative on the program. He is an
Ohio Master Farmer and an extensive
writer on farm topics. He also is 6
producer and writer of historical
plays and pageants, in addition te
serving as community leader.
Varied textures on the Wedaesdas
nigh program are expected to draw
a capacity audience from the commun.
ity and likely will be the headline at
traction of the two-day meeting.
Officers of the institute organiza-
tions, who are completing plans for
the meeting include:
Mems institute: Raymond Stratton
president; Earl Matter, -presi-
dent; Harry f. Barnes, secretary
treasurer; executive committee, Ray
Marshall, Silas Diller and Levi AL
thaus, plus the officers.
Women's institute: Mrs. Carl Der
ringer, president; Mrs. Elvira Suter
president; Mrs. Raymond STRAIT
ton, secretary; executive committee
Mrs. Calvin Steiner, Mrs. Henry c.
Smith, Mrs. Russell Ebay and the
officers.