Texas John Alden

Introduction

Texas John Alden. Originally a Buckner J. Grimes story titled “Ring-Tailed Tornado”. Published under the name of Patrick Ervin. 

“Texas John Alden” (originally published as “A Ring-Tailed Tornado”) is a story by Robert E. Howard that follows the adventures of Breckinridge Elkins, a well-meaning but often misunderstood giant of a man with a propensity for getting into trouble. Set in the Wild West, the story humorously narrates Elkins’ unwitting entanglement in a series of misadventures as he attempts to carry out a friend’s request, which leads to chaos in the towns of War Whoop and Goshen.

The story is filled with Howard’s characteristic humor, action, and a portrayal of the rugged and tumultuous life in the Wild West, with Elkins’ physical strength and simple-hearted nature driving the narrative through a series of misunderstandings and conflicts.

From the letters:

Someone at the Kline agency rewrote the story into a Breckinridge Elkins story. According to a letter from Otis A. Kline to Dr. I. M. Howard on November 26, 1943 we learn:

November 26, 1943

My dear Doctor:

I am pleased to advise that one of the rewrites authorized by you on January 20, 1940, has finally sold to Standard Magazines, and take great pleasure in enclosing my check to cover, as follows:

“Texas John Alden”  
     (All Ser. Rts.) $55.00 
     50% for revision   27.50 
   27.50 
     10% Commission    2.75 
 $24.75 

I hope we’ll be able to do the same with some more of these stories, but Allah alone is the knower.

Also, I am enclosing carbon copy of a letter written by E. Hoffmann Price to Robert Barlow, formerly of the Druid Press, with regard to the microfilm copies of the poems which you wrote me had been burned by mistake.

As this was written on October 26, and I have heard nothing further, I don’t know whether he succeeded in locating Mr. Barlow or not. However, I’ll let you know when and if I receive further word on this.

I trust that you have had a pleasant Thanksgiving, and with all good wishes, remain

Yours sincerely,
Otis Adelbert Kline

Alternate titles:

A RINGTAILED TORNADO and RING-TAILED TORNADO

The story

The story begins with Elkins in War Whoop, attempting to avoid trouble with the townsfolk who have formed a committee to protect themselves against him, blaming him for various destructive incidents he claims were not his fault. He then recounts the events that led him to War Whoop, starting with his rivalry with Bizz Ridgeway over the affection of Betty Wilkinson in Goshen. Ridgeway, desperate to remove Elkins as his rival, deceives him into believing that he needs to deliver a message of love to Gloria La Venner, a singer in War Whoop, hoping that Ace Middleton, a dangerous and jealous man who has claimed La Venner, will eliminate Elkins.

Upon attempting to fulfill this errand, Elkins finds himself in conflict with Middleton and the law in War Whoop, eventually getting thrown into jail. There, he is unexpectedly aided by Gloria La Venner herself, who seeks to escape Middleton’s control. She arranges for his release, and Elkins plans to take her to Goshen, believing her to be Ridgeway’s true love. However, the plan goes awry when Elkins is captured by a mob intent on lynching him for a perceived injustice. He manages to escape, only to find that Gloria has left without him, heading to Trevano Springs alone.

Returning to Goshen to confront Ridgeway, Elkins learns that his actual love interest, Betty Wilkinson, has married another man, Rudwell Shapley Jr., taking advantage of Elkins’ absence. The story ends with Elkins’ realization that he has been manipulated and left with a broken heart, prompting him to take out his frustration on Ridgeway.

Characters

  • Breckinridge Elkins: The protagonist, a large and strong but naive man, prone to getting into misunderstandings and brawls. His attempt to help a friend leads him into a series of comedic troubles.
  • Bizz Ridgeway: Elkins’ rival in love, who deceitfully sends him on a dangerous errand to remove him as a competitor for Betty Wilkinson’s affection.
  • Betty Wilkinson: The object of Elkins’ and Ridgeway’s affection, who ultimately marries Rudwell Shapley Jr.
  • Gloria La Venner: A singer in War Whoop and the supposed love interest of Ridgeway, who seeks Elkins’ help to escape Ace Middleton’s control. She ultimately uses Elkins to make her own escape to Trevano Springs.
  • Ace Middleton: The antagonist, a powerful and jealous man who claims Gloria La Venner as his own and goes to great lengths to keep her under his control.
  • Rudwell Shapley Jr.: A rival suitor for Betty Wilkinson’s affection, who ultimately marries her while Elkins is away.
  • Marshal Santry: The lawman of War Whoop who arrests Elkins but is shown to be corrupt and easily manipulated.

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