 Remember a hallmark card when you'll carry enough to send the very best. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is James Hilton. Tonight on our hallmark playhouse we present our dramatization of Richard Henry Dana's Two Years Before the Mast, an American classic. Published just over a century ago when its author was only 25 years old, it captured the hearts of the reading public in the days when California was still a province of Mexico and when the few Americans who went there usually chose the long and hazardous journey by sailing ship round Cape Horn. This trip Dana made and the result was his great book. A few years later it became a tremendous success when the gold rush made everyone anxious to find out what sort of a place California really was. To play the part of our hero we are fortunate indeed to have that talented and popular actor, Edmund O'Brien. And now a word about hallmark cards from Frank Goss before we begin the first act of Two Years Before the Mast. When you want to remember your friends there's one way to be sure the card you send receives an extra welcome. Look for that identifying hallmark on the back when you select it. For words to express your feelings and designs to express your good taste that hallmark on the back is your guide. Like the sterling on silver it's a mark of distinction that all quickly recognize and it tells your friends you cared enough to send the very best. And now hallmark playhouse presenting Richard Henry Dana's Two Years Before the Mast starting Edmund O'Brien. A thin pale young man stands at the library window and blinks his eyes at the sunlight streaming through the glass. He has stood thus often listening to his father debate the capabilities of President Andrew Jackson, the affairs of the city of Boston, and the problems of rearing a son without the aid of a mother. Richard Henry Dana Jr. listens this afternoon and smiles across the room at Sarah, Sarah so young and understanding. Richard the whole project is unbecoming of a Dana. You're a gentleman, the grandson of our First Minister to Russia, the Chief Justice of the Commonwealth. And panelist father, what little we have you need and I can't afford the luxury of a long sea voyage as a paying passenger. Sarah my dear perhaps you can persuade him. Sometimes the advice of a friend is more welcome. Richard do you believe the sea will improve your health? It's my only hope Sarah. My eyes are failing so rapidly I can't read. What good was Harvard to me when I couldn't study. It's clear to the northwest coast of America is a common seaman. You're too frail my boy. Father if I'm ever to be a lawyer I've got to have the health to practice. To be a good lawyer I've got to know people. Not our Boston gentlemen, not rich boys and sailing in fancy passenger quarters, but real men sailing men. The best and the worst. Sarah what are we going to do with him? Richard I'll miss you. Yet you want me to go don't you? Yes. It's going to be a long time. A year, perhaps a year and a half. You'll write to us? From every port between here and California. I'm going to keep a journal too and I'll let you read it when I get back. That is if you're still interested. I'll be interested Richard. Always. 34 the Briggs Pilgrim Captain Thompson commanding is now at sea. I came aboard dressed in the checked shirt the duck trousers and varnished black hat of the seasoned sailor. But I found it takes more than correct costume to fool a real seaman. Hey Lance look at those softy white hands and the dancing school way. And by the time we had dropped down Boston Bay we were all friends. This evening the crew was called Aft and Captain Thompson surveyed us. Cigar in mouth. We've begun a long version you'll get along with me. If you don't hold together and you'll find me a clever fellow. A foolish rascal. That's all I've got to say. It was clear and moonlit. There was no sound except the creaking of the rigging and the swash of the sea. Above me and extending far out over the gunnels those cloud upon cloud of gleaming white sail towering up until they seemed almost to touch the stars. For the first time I was lonely. I was lonely. Boston harbored my past life and friends. All were flowing away from me like the silent wake of the ship. Shortly before my watch ended the moon went behind the clouds. The wind freshened and long heavy swells began to roll under the boughs. I felt them very definitely in my stomach. Mr. Harbour's eyes! All down and claw up the rails flying gibbon studies. Over here, men! What the orders meant I didn't know but I sprang into the rigging with the others up and up and up. Finally I turned and looked down. The deck was a hundred feet below a tiny thing which one moment swung below me and the next moment there was only black water. I crawled out onto one of the yards where Sam was pulling in sail. Just as I reached him I slipped and plunged head forward. I had me by the collar. What's the matter, mate? Seasick? You'll get over it. Sam, you saved my life. A word of advice, mate. Heaven in your boots. Yes, I understand. But first, crossed the equator in longitude 24 degrees, 24 minutes west. My eyes are much improved and my whole health. All this on a diet of salt beef, hard tack and tea. November 17th, another storm. Awaken from sleep by the cry most dreaded at sea. The boat had searched for an hour but we knew it was hopeless. No talking or smiling in the hopes of tonight. February 14th, 1835. Prolisions had all but given out. The crew was nervous and grumbling. And then this morning we made land. Santa Barbara, California, 150 days out of Boston. We lined the railing and stared at the distant beach and the belfry of the mission of Santa Barbara. Yes, sweet sight, aren't they nice? Yes. I was wondering, you see those men coming down the beach carrying tremendous loads on their heads? That's what we'll be doing, mate. Back in cattle hides on our skulls and loading them into the long boats and rowing out here to the ship. We'll carry them back to Boston. Boston makes them into shoes and we bring them back and sell them to the Mexicans. It's kind of like life, ain't it, mate? Yes. How long do you suppose it will take us to load the hides? A year. A year? Maybe longer. Yeah, home's a long way off for us. Now that I had but work and trying to keep in with the captain then that last will be a plenty. March 11th, after touching at Santa Barbara we sailed north to Monterrey, the headquarters of the Governor General. Here the Mexican customs officers came aboard and inspected the cargo which we had brought to sell and sell we did. Then began our loading of the hides and the trouble with the captain. First he denied us our Sunday day of rest then one wet evening he called the crew on deck to stand about all night in the rain simply to watch it rain as he put it. This morning I was standing by the main hatchway I heard the sound of blows behind me then the captain shouting at Sam Well then, will you ever give me any more of your jaw? I never gave you any sir. You come after with me. But Captain Thompson You take orders from me or I haven't outflog you. I'm no slave sir. Then I'll make you one. Mr. Amazon! Seize up that man. Make a spread eagle of him. I'll teach you all who is master aboard. Tie his wrists to the rig and get his shirt off. Stimson, don't say it. But we can't let a man be flogged. If we speak up as mutiny, if we stop him it's piracy. Either way the old man's got us. And if we do nothing he's still got us. That's life at sea mate. There's no law but the captain. Mr. Amazon, that rope if you please. Captain, why are you going to flog that man? Who said that? Why sir, you're on the sea. Mr. Amazon, seize him up also. Stimson, these are men not animals. Human beings made in God's own life. Be quiet you fool or you'll be next. There! This is my duty. Have I ever been insolent? No, it's not that I flog you for. I'll tell you what for. Suits me, yes. Something about the sort of thing we saw today. What's to be done? I don't know. If God ever gives me the means I'll do my best to end such tyranny. If you get home. Yes. For the world the Lord has forgotten and the devil wouldn't have. Where 16,000 watery miles from anybody or any law can help us. But we've got to believe Stimson. We've got to keep telling ourselves when we get home. When we get home. I'll get there Stimson. I've got to. The second act of two years before the mast starring Edmund O'Brien. I so often use the phrase hallmark card say what you want to say the way you want to say it. That sometimes I'm afraid you might think words are the only outstanding quality of hallmark cards. Actually when I use that phrase I mean the words plus the manner in which the words are presented. They write design to illustrate those words. The most beautiful colors to bring out the design. The overall feeling whether it's light hearted gaiety or warm hearted affection you want to express when you send a hallmark card. It takes all of these and all put together in the good taste you demand of anything that bears your personal signature to bring you the hallmark card that truly says what you want to say the way you want to say it. Four years hallmark cards have done just that. That's why the hallmark on the back of the card you send means so much. Quiet means you cared enough to send the very best. Now back to James Hilton and the second act of two years before the mast starring Edmund O'Brien. California the crew of the Brig Pilgrim toiled to the months to collect a cargo of bullet hides. One year before Richard Dana had shipped as a sickly young Boston gentleman with failing eyesight. Now he labored from dawn till dusk curing hides on the beach carrying them through the surf rowing them to the ship stowing them in the hold and with it all still had the energy to make entries in his journal. July 8th 1835 today another ship came to port and with it mail from Boston. As I devoured the lines written so many months ago by my father and by Sarah I was swept with homesickness and the loathing of the monotony and tyranny of my present life. It was a feeling shared by others and the folks. Make up your minds to this. We leave our bones drying on the beach of this blasted California. No, no he says we ain't got half a cargo hide jet we'll be rotting here for another two or three years with Captain Thompson to ride over. He won't ride over me. I'm being transferred to the ship alert. It came in today's mail we sail up the coast for more cargo than put back here after that Cape Horn and home home while the rest of us go on rotting here and you will figure to be free of the captain. I will be. You know what I heard the captain tell the maid on deck. They've got orders too. Captain Thompson and Mr. Amerside are being transferred to the alert. We coasted north from Santa Barbara in the storm we were blown off course and have now put into the bay of San Francisco. The Mexicans have a garrison here the Presidio and at some distance is the mission Dolores. The one other habitation at San Francisco is a board shampy built by a Yankee trader who deals with the Indians a large number of deer the bay itself is enormous and there is an island of rock near its entrance called Alcatraz April 15th 1836 southward again to San Diego where we dropped anchor alongside the break pilgrim. I met my old friends Sam and John the Swede and Stimson they are as happy to be free of Captain Thompson as I am unhappy to be still with him this evening that gentleman called me aft to his cabin you're still expecting to go home with me on the alert I certainly sir we were both transferred to the ship and you must get someone to stay in your place remember this dinner this is Mexico territory there's no American consul for you to run to no law that pleases me to give you it won't always be so sir Captain if I do not return to Boston aboard the alert the company will know about it and why I'll see to that you think to back me down because you're a gentleman son and not a common hand before the man I am both sir and I mean that both shall be equal before you and the law I'll send him over to the pilgrim in your place that noon all hands came above and stood about waiting for the breeze to rise the captain and the mate station themselves aft and stared to wind it the moment was almost here for which I had waited 16 long months Dana yes you know what we're carrying in that cargo well you helped load it Harry 40,000 hides and 30,000 horns high and besides that well our provisions gold gold seen the bag that us carried into the captain's cabin myself hmm I've heard stories that the Indians and Mexicans were finding gold inland somewhere but I guess it doesn't mean much to us to me it does I'm coming back to California and find me a fortune Mr. Amazon I heard the lookout call from the rigging those of field ice and towering icebergs that dwarf our ship into a child's steady bombardment of hail the hull has run a leak in the folks no dry birds for us and no dry clothing for two weeks past we've tried Cape Horn twice and failed this evening the ship alert comes to her wharf in Boston Harbor so ends this journal and my two years of use of both intend to father I'm going to rewrite the journal get it into book form and let the American people learn of the abuses of their seamen this tyranny of irresponsible captains must say there were proper laws some protection they'll come meanwhile there must be attorneys to fight for them men who aren't afraid to challenge shipmasters and ship owners you Richard yes father my boy seamen have little money to spend on attorneys you have to think of your future and the future of someone else I am my life Dana Junior attorney at law oh I do like it Richard it looks wonderful on the door well I'm afraid it looks more impressive than the office inside come on Dana you remember me sir I just made ports sir the boys told me about your book I want you to be an old friend beyond the sweet ma'am I'm in the book I'm famous now I'm so glad to know you John you've been using me pretty bad I was wondering if you could help me certainly John I'll be glad to discuss your case but if you'll excuse me a moment of course thank you this is your private office yes not much to look at and with my type of clients I'm afraid it smells a bit of the folks they're good men they need you that's what matters Sarah you know I'd hope to make a little money out of my book but you know I can't expect any riches from anything I write Sarah well what I'm trying to say let me say it Richard your prospects are poor your work will be hard and often without pay we'll have to skimp and live in second rate quarters and wish we had more to give our children but we'll be happy dear divinely happy Sarah oh my darling my dearest something of a seaman at heart sailors are shy men they're awkward at saying the important things yet now I can say freely and gladly I love you Sarah I love you as passionately as the seaman loves the sea as surely as the tides upon it and as eternally as the north star above it Sarah I love you we hardly ever get beyond the quickly spammered thank you phrases of gee you're a peach mom or thanks mother that's swell she understands what we mean of course but they're hardly words she'd treasure in her heart and remember through the years would you say that's why on one day of the year we all like to get sentimental and tell mother of the love that is in our hearts and that day is not far off two weeks from Sunday May 13th is Mother's Day so I thought you'd like to be reminded tonight that the new hallmark Mother's Day cards are now at the fine stores that you regularly buy hallmark cards by choosing yours early you'll be extra sure to find the one that says exactly what you want to say the way you want to say it to your mother a hallmark card will add meaning to any gift you're planning to give her because the words so beautifully express your feelings and tell of your love and you know it's your love she wants above everything else here again is James Hilton well you certainly brought adventure into our lives tonight Edmund O'Brien performance an invitation to appear on the hallmark playhouse is always welcome Mr. Hilton like hallmark cards it's a pleasure and a compliment to receive well you know you always have a standing invitation to visit us Eddie who's going to be on the hallmark playhouse with you next week Mr. Hilton we're particularly happy to announce that next week our star is a very charming actress who right this minute is celebrating an opening night on Broadway we take you now backstage to the Morosco theater in New York and this is a very thrilling night for me because less than an hour ago the curtain went up on Gramercy Ghost a new play making its debut tonight we still have a final act to go so my time with you will be brief however I'm particularly happy that a week from tonight will also mark another opening night for me my first appearance on the hallmark playhouse the story is a breath of air I hope very much that you will be listening we're all looking forward to it Sarah a breath of air by that distinguished novelist Ruma Godin whose stories have lately been attracting so much attention on both sides of the Atlantic and now for the makers of hallmark cards and all of a sudden the hallmark playhouse may I wish you great success in your Broadway opening tonight our hallmark playhouse is every Thursday our director producer is Bill Gay our music is composed and conducted by Lynn Murray and Bernard Herman and our script tonight was adapted by Leonard St. Clair to send the very best Edmund O'Brien may currently be seen co-starring in the Paramount picture Red Head and the Cowboy the role of Sarah Watson tonight was played by Lorraine Tuttle and Ted DeCorsio was Captain Thompson others in our cast were Parley Bear Ted Osburn, Bill Conrad and Peter Leeds this is Frank Goss saying good night to you all until next week at the same time when hallmark playhouse returns to present Sarah Churchill in Ruma Godin's A Breath of Air and the week following Gladys Hasty Carols starring Ethel Barrymore and the week after that Carl Van Doren's Benjamin Franklin starring the other great Barrymore Lyamo Kansas City, Missouri celebrating its 30th 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