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ERB 100-Word Drabbles
APRIL 2019 Edition ~ Days 1-15
by Robert Allen Lupton
Go To Days 16-30 HERE
THE RAGE OF TANTOR
April 1: Today's post is not an April Fool's Day joke, although I was inclined to write about the newly discovered Tarzan novel written in 1935. It was called, "The Final Problem" and featured Tarzan in an epic battle with Estaban Miranda and the German officer, Von Horst. The three of them are washed over Victoria Falls and ....
Actually, 72 years ago in 1947, the Rex Maxon Tarzan daily story, "The Rage of Tantor," concluded.
The drabble today is "Angry Elephant."
“You give me elephants, I’ll free your wife.”
Tarzan pretended to comply. He rode Tantor all night through a field. He led Manzen to the field. “Look, tracks from many elephants. They will return.”
Tantor came alone. Tarzan fought the men, but one shot Tantor’s shoulder. The elephant trampled the poachers, chased Manzen into the jungle, caught, and killed him.
Tarzan freed Jane. She asked, “Tantor killed them all?”
“They shot him. It made him mad.”
“How stupid. No one likes an angry elephant.”
IT'S ME OR THE LIONS
April 2: On this day in 1936, Argosy Magazine published part four of Tarzan and the City of Gold. The cover art for the issue was based on the story, "Red Emeralds" by Sinclair Gluck, a prolific mystery writer and occasional screen writer. The art is by Paul Stahr.
Today's drabble is "It's Me or the Lions."
Tarzan said, “Release me. I mean you no harm.”
“It is lonely being Queen. Perhaps you could help.”
“I don’t help my captors.”
She ordered her palace guards, “Release him and leave
us."
The guards reluctantly left. Nemone caressed the apeman.
“I could love you. We’re well suited. Rule with me or die in the lion pit.”
“What kind of Queen threatens death to seduce a lover? Take me to the pits. I’d rather live with the lions.”
NOT A BLUSHIBNG BRIDE
April 3: On this day in 1920, All-Story Weekly published part three of "Tarzan and the Valley of Luna"
The story listed and illustrated on the cover is "The Shadowers: Novel Number One, The Man who convicted Himself" by David Fox. I haven't been able to identify the artist for the menacing cover.
The 100 word Edgar Rice Burroughs' inspired drabble today is "Not A Blushing Bride."
NOT A BLUSHIBNG BRIDE
Tarzan intoduced himself. “Colonel Capell, the woman
is a German spy.
Smith-Oldwick said, “Spy or not, I love her.”
Capell said, “Don’t worry. You fell in with good companions.
The woman’s Patricia Canby, British Intelligence. The apeman is John Clayton,
Lord Greystoke.
“Patricia said, “Sill want to marry me. You really
haven‘t any choice. I outrank you. I order it.”
“I've never followed orders with more pleasure.”
DINNER TIME
April 4: 0n this day in Edgar Rice Burroughs history in 1914, All-Story Weekly published part one of "At the Earth’s Core."
The 100 word drabble for the day is "Dinner Time."
DINNER TIME
She taught him to speak her language. He asked, “What are the creatures? Why are they holding us captive?”
“Saggoths. They serve the evil mind lizards, the Mahars. This is their pantry. We will be fed to them.”
“In my world, men and women are never imprisoned together. The captives might become intimate or men might force themselves on the women.”
“Never happen here. Mahars hate it if you play with their food.”
THE LURLINE
April 5: On this day in 1935, Edgar Rice Burroughs and the former Florence Gilbert boarded the S.S. Lurline for Honolulu. During the voyage the newlyweds dined at the Captain's table with Jeanette McDonald and her mother. The steamship owner, William Roth and his wife were also on board. Bon Voyage.
The drabble today is "The Lurline."
Edgar Rice Burroughs said, “May I present my wife, Florence.”
“And my wife, Lurline Matson Roth.”
Florence smiled, “Isn’t this ship named the S. S. Lurline?”
“So it is. I christened her three years ago. My father named a steamship for me and my husband duplicated the honor. It’s nice to have celebrities on board. Over Christmas, we carried Amelia Earhart and her airplane to Hawaii. She flew back to Oakland.”
Burroughs replied, “Keep our stateroom ready. We’ve already booked return tickets.”
MARY WHO
April 6: On this day in 1927, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing the play, "Mary Who?" aka "Why Razz the Kids" aka "Holy Bonds of Wedlock." The play addressed generational issues during the roaring 20's. It was perhaps written for Joan but was never published.
"Mary Who" is the drabble today.
“What’s it called?”
“The working title is ‘Mary, Who?” I want a woman with Jane’s or Dejah Thoris’s strength and perseverance, but born into today’s world.”
“A woman like that will be hard for people to accept.”
“Not for the young folks. Consider flappers. The world’s
changing.”
“Flappers look cheap and sinful.”
“Don’t razz the kids. The story line will reflect
the conflict between generations.”
“If Joan’s playing the role, write her character as
married. Otherwise, she’ll seem like a floozy.”
“Holy bonds of wedlock. I promise.”
LATE FOR DEPARTURE
April 7: On that day in 1917, All-Story Weekly published part two of "The Cave Man." The cover illustration is for the "The Killer" [Part 1 of 4]; by J. U. Giesy & Junius B. Smith. I haven't indentified the artist.
April 7th's ERB inspired drabble is "Late for Departure."
“Thurg kill.”
Thandar said, “No, Thurg die.”
The battle was short. Thanda beat the mighty Thurg
for the second time, but the Priscilla left during the short delay. The
couple walked to Nadara’s village. King Big Fist, challenged Thandar, but
quickly changed his mind.
Nadara asked, “Can’t we go live with your people?”
“Maybe later. For now, that ship has sailed.”
MARRY FOR THE STATE
April 8: On this day in 1916, All-Story Weekly published part one of "Thuvia Maid of Mars." The cover art was by P. J. Monahan and was used as the cover to the A.C. McClurg first edition, as well. The All-Story contained no interior illustrations for the Burroughs story but the issue included stories by George Allan England, Robert Ames Bennett, and Achmed Abdullah.
The 100 word drabble today is "Marry for State."
MARRY FOR THE STATE
“Unhand the princess or die,” screamed Carthoris and
he knocked the man unconscious.”
The next morning Carthoris pledged his love. Thuvia
said, “You do me great honor, but my father promised me to your father’s
friend, Kulan Tith, the Jeddak of Kaol.
”
“I respect that, but I shall never give up. We belong
together.”
“Only fate and the gods can know that.”
April 9: On this day in 1938, Argosy Weekly published part four of "Red Star of Tarzan," later released as the novel "Tarzan and the Forbidden City."
The outstanding cover art for the issue is of wolves stalking a dog sled on the ice and is by V. E. Pyles. It illustrates the story, "The Fowl of the Air", an epic of the far north by Frank Richardson Pierce.
The drabble today is "Severance Pay."
SEVERANCE PAY
“Lead the safari astray. Don’t let Tarzan find Ashair.”
“Of course not, my share is worthless if they find
the diamonds.”
“A question, Mr. Wolff, you betray your people. My
tribesmen don’t betray each other for money.”
“They lied to me. I was to lead the expedition, but
they demoted me and hired the jungle man.”
“You break your word for pride?”
“I can’t spend pride I consider this severance pay.”
AT MY COMMAND
April 10: On this day in 1920, All-Story Weekly published part four of "Tarzan and the Valley of Luna."
The cover art illustrates the story, "Clung," by Max Brand (Frederick Schiller Faust). 'An oriental soul in an occidental body." I can't identify the cover artist with certainty, but the style of the drawing makes me believe it could be W. C. Fairchild, who illustrated the August 7, 1914 cover for "Barney Custer of Beatrice."
The drabble today is based on Valley of Luna and is titled "At My Command."
AT MY COMMAND
Obergatz returned to the shores of A-lur. He remembered their religion and believed himself to be the great god, Jad-ben-otho.
Lo-don, the high priest immediately bowed and announced that Obergatz was truly the god, Jad-ben-otho.
His acolytes hid the crazed man in the deepest recesses of the temple. One said, “Lo-don, this man is a fool, not a god.”
“I say who is god. What is better than a god who I command?”
DRINK WHEN YOU'RE DRY
April 11: On this day in 1914, All-Story Weekly published part two of “At the Earth’s Core.” The cover illustration is for the story, “Dumb Terror” by Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Nothing says buy me like a damsel in distress. Hotchkiss wrote over a hundred stories published in several pulp magazines. Westerns, pirate stories, and historicals seemed to be his specialties. His best known book is “Betsy Ross, A Romance of the Flag.”
Today’s drabble is “Drink When You’re Dry.”
DRINK WHEN YOU'RE DRY
“I don’t know this time. Is it dangerous?”
“No, it tells my people when to sleep and eat. It
tells us when to celebrate Christmas and Easter.”
I don’t know those words. Nothing tells us these things. We eat when we hunger. We drink when we thirst and we sleep when we are tired.”
“But it’s better to have a schedule.”
“I think not. We aren’t so foolish that we don’t recognize
our own hunger.”
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
April 12: On this day in 1963, the first day of the John Celardo Tarzan Daily strip, “Krona and the Treasures of Opar” began. Celardo drew a total of 4350 daily strips and 724 Sunday strips. You have to love La's long-tailed cat outfit.
The drabble for April 12, 2019 is “Blinded by the Light.”
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT
Tarzan beat Krona’s army to Opar. “La, we aren’t strong enough to fight him, but we’re smart enough to trick him. Let him have what he wants. My men will pretend to be prisoners. Free them to help Krona carry the gold he needs to conquer Africa.”
“I’d rather fight.”
“And fight, we will, but where and when we choose.”
“Will he believe our deception?”
“Glitter enough gold in a greedy despots face, and
he’ll believe the sun rises in the west.”
TRY AGAIN
April 13: On this day in 1892, Edgar Rice Burroughs was confined to barracks. He attempted to escape the Michigan Military Academy by climbing through a window but was apprehended and taken before Commandant Charles King. Burroughs ultimately attended the academy for five years.
The drabble today is “Try Again.”
“Sir, Cadet Burroughs wishes to resign his commission, Sir.”
“Edgar, this is the Michigan Military Academy, not the army. Your father enrolled you here. You can’t resign or leave.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Commander King spoke to the orderlies. “Confine him to quarters. Convene the Student Court after lunch tomorrow. They’ll decide his punishment.”
At one o’clock the next afternoon, Burroughs didn’t appear. The student judge said, “Where’s the prisoner?”
The orderly said, “Gone with the wind before dawn. If he caught a train, he’s south of Detroit by now.”
LOST ON AMTOR
April 15: On this day in 1933, Argosy Weekly published part seven of Lost on Venus. The cover illustrates “The Earth Shaker” by Murray Leinster (Will A. Jenkins) and was drawn by Robert A Graef.
The drabble today is ‘Lost on Amtor.”
LOST ON AMTOR
An old Amtorian with a fishing pole wandered by. “I wouldn’t sit there. Those bushes are full of blood leaches.”
Carson stood and brushed off his pants. “Can you tell
me where I am? I’m lost.”
“Maybe. Where you headed.”
“I doesn’t matter. Somewhere new. Everywhere I’ve
been, people try to kill me.”
“So you don’t know where you’re going.”
“Sad to say, no.”
“I wish you luck. If you don’t know where you’re going,
you can’t be lost. It doesn’t matter where you are.”
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