Evening Star Newspaper, September 29, 1935, Page 100

4 Magazine Section THIS WEEK September 29, 1935 is busy. Horrie Passworthy is donning a child’s soldier “panoply.” Timothy laying out a toy railway system. He is absorbed in his work, neither héaring nor seeing any - thing, working with the intensity of the born builder. A smaller girl and a very small boy enter. They stare admiringly. In another corner of the room Horrie, in full uniform, beats his drum. Horrie: “Fall in! Fall in!"" Three boys fall in behind him. “Quick march!" They march off to the drum taps. Timothy is finishing his railway system. Horrie's foot kicks aside some part of it. Timothy: “Don't!"” Timothy has but one thought — to save his gadgets. He lays out his railway again. To the little boy he says: “You work the sig- nals.” The little boy sits down happily. To the little girl: ‘““You — you look on." The little girl sits down and plays her part; she admires. Timothy starts his train. The train moves. Timothy is earnestly observing it. The two children are delighted. Drum going. Horrie and his followers return and halt. Horrie stops and thinks. Horrie: ‘“‘Make an accident!” Timothy: “No.” Busy with railway. Horrie: ‘“Make an earthquake.”” Timothy: “No.” Horrie: ‘‘Let’s have a war.” Timothy : “No."’ Horrie goes off reluctantly The toy railway. Train going. One of the carriages collapses. It turns over. It has been hit by a wooden pellet. We see four guns being worked by Horrie and his friends. They are delighted. Timothy realizes that the whole outlay is being bombarded to pieces. He tries to protect the railway with his hands: “Don't — stop!”” His hand is hit by a projectile. The little girl protests with Timothy. Horrie directs the firing of the guns. More projectiles hit Timothy, who jumps to his feet and goes to attack Horrie. Horrie dis- engages himself from Timothy, kicks over the engine and disarranges the rails. Timothy claws hold of him, and they begin a tussle which ends on the ground. Uproar in the room. By the door from Cabal’s study Passworthy enters, followed by 4N . w": , \;;’& e g&mfifm Cabal and Harding. Passworthy grabs Horrie: “Here, young man, what have you been doing?”’ “I only made a little war on him, daddy — and he didn't play fair.” Passworthy: “Soldiers are to protect us — not to smash up things.” *But Daddy, a war must smash up things." Cabal, Passworthy, Harding, Mrs. Cabal and grandfather are at the end of the room. Grandfather: “Nice toys they have now- adays. Well, I suppose their grandchildren will have still more wonderful things. Pro- . gress —and progress — I'd like to see the wonders they'll see.” Cabal: “Don’t be too sure of progress.” Passworthy: “You incurable pessimist.” Grandfather: “What's going to stop pro- gress nowadays?"’ Cabal: *“War!"” Passworthy: “Well, firstly, thereisn't going to be a war, and secondly, war doesn't stop progress. It stimulates progress.” Cabal ironically: “Yes, war's a highly stimulating thing. But you can overdo a stimulant. The next dose may be a fatal one. An overdose." Passworthy, hesitatingly: ‘“‘After all, don't we exaggerate the horrors of war? The last war wasn't so bad as they make out. One didn’t worry. Something great seemed to have got hold of you."” Cabal: ““Something still greater may get hold of you next time. You're talking through vour hat, Passworthy. If we do not end war, war will end us. Everybody says that, mil- lions of people believe it, and nobody does Oh Death — how seldom do You get Courage and Laughter in one net! For Will Rogers and Wiley Post by ADA JACKSON anything. You do nothing. 1 do nothing - Passworthy: “Well, what can one do?" Cabal: “Yes, what can we do?"’ Passworthy: “Carry on. Carry on, and trust to the commonsense of mankind." War Breaks over Everytown The suburban road outside John Cabal's house a few hours later. Clocks are heard striking midnight. Door opens. Cabal, Mrs. Cabal, Harding and Passworthy come out. Passworthy: ‘‘Peace on earth, goodwill to all men. It is going to be a real old-fashioned Christmas this year. A little snow, a nip in the air.” A faint thud is heard. Everybody silent for a moment. Mrs. Cabal: *‘What was that? It sounded like a gun.”’ Passworthy: “No guns about here. Merry Christmas, Cabal — good luck to us for another twelvemonth. Here's to another year of recovery." Suddenly searchlights appear in the sky. Mrs. Cabal: ““But what are searchlights doing now?" Passworthy: ‘‘Anti-aircraft manoeuvres, I expect.”’ Cabal: “Manoeuvres! At Christmas? No!"” Three thuds rather louder mingle with the pealing bells. Harding: “Listen: Guns again.” The bells cease abruptly. Heavy concus- sion heard. After this the noise subsides as though the trouble was drifting away from Everytown. Nobody speaks. From the study the telephone rings. Cabal hurries into the house; the others go a few steps after him, listen anxiously. They hear: “What, to-night! Three o'clock at the Hilltown hangar. I'll be there.” Cabal comes out again to the listening group. ‘‘Mobilization!"’ Mrs. Cabal: “Oh — oh, God!"” Passworthy: “Perhaps it's only a precau- tionary mobilization." Cabal’s study. Cabal turns on the radio. Radio: ““The unknown aircraft passed over Seabeach and dropped bombs within a few hundred yards of the waterworks. They then turned seaward again. By this time they had been picked up by the searchlights of the battleship Dinosaur, and before they could mount out of range, she had opened upon them with her anti-aircraft guns. Unfor- tunately without result.” Harding: “Of course everyone has said, ‘This time there will be no declaration of war.' " - The radio resumes, crackling: “We do not vet know the nationality of these aircraft, though of course there can be little doubt of their place of origin. But before all things, it is necessary for the country to keep calm. No doubt the losses suffered by the fleet are serious.’’ Passworthy, interrupting radio: ‘“‘What's that? Losses of the fleet?” Radio: “And it is imperative that the whole nation at once stand to arms. Orders for a general mobilization have .been issued, and the precautionary civilian organization against gas will at once be put intc operation. Ah — instructions have come to hand. We shall cut off for five minutes, and then read you the general instructions. Please call in any friends. Call in everyone yoi can.” Radio ceases. Cabal, bitterly: ‘“You've got yourstimulant, Passworthy. Something great has got you. War has come.” Passworthy: ““1 suppose we shall find our marching orders at home." Mrs. Cabal: “War! God help us all.” The Central Square of Everytown about two hours later. Large anti-aircraft on truck comes into Square. Searchlights being mount- (Continued on page 12) Hllustrations by Jules Gotlieb A little girl came running toward them. Cabal fastened the airman’s mask over her head