Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-05-08

Darling, forget all about it. The
boats waiting at the Yacht club.
was going off for a rest tomorrow.
&. I'm simply worn out. want
ed to be alone =. but now"
Joe didn't wait to ring for the ele-
vator. He ran down the stairs at the
end of the hall About four flights
down. he rang the bell and waited,
still clutching his white lilacs The
elevator boy showed no surprise at
Joe's change of floors.
In the street Joe hailed a cab. He
sat back and buried his face in the
lilacs. When he raised his head, he
was smiling.
Pete, back from church, was listen
ing to the radio-some string quartet
was playing Mother O. Mine" Pete
sat smoking his pipe and he was smil-
ing. The smile turned to grin when
Joe walked in with lilacs. whats the
matter. Romeo? Juliet not at home?"
''No-but Joe's home-to stay!"
He stuck the lilacs into water
pitcher on the table. THE trips Off
Petei"
II knew that" Pete smiled.
I'm going to Camp Dix with you'll"
81 knew that, too"
What the hell are you talking
about?"
LESS profanity, son. You forget
I've just come from mass. And when
go to mass to get results-I get them!
Remember, I told you once-it isn't
seeing is believing-it's believing Is
seeing. I was working on you, my lad
and I've got pull with the saints
that watch over baritones. I'm glad,
fellah!"
I'm glad, tool" Joe grinned "and
boy, have I got the luck of the Irish?"
At Camp Dix the next night they
were riot. Come on! All together!"
Pete yelled, and Joe led the gang as
they sang You're in the Army Now"
After their act, the men gathered
around them. They both wondered how
they could have thought any other
audience was important. This was the
real thing! No blase, half-cockeyed
! nightclubbers, yelling through a
smoky haze of unreality! Two thou
sand swell American kids yelling be-
cause they really liked them. This was
it!
Say! Can't you guys stay down
overnight? We can have another show
tomorrow night" a big blonde kid
asked Pete
"Where'd we sleep? Is there hotel?"
1--WE can fix it up if you want to
stay, Mr.. Diggs."
This must be what they call
hostess" Pete whispered to Joe.
Its mighty pretty, whatever they
call it," Joe answered.
well, Miss-er-" he turned to the
smartly uniformed young woman.
Mrs. Young she said. I'm one of
the post hostesses, and I just asked
Captain Smithers where you could stay.
He says leave it to hin-I think you
can safely do So
What do you say, Joe?" Pete was
obviously keen about staying.
"Okay by me! In fact I think this
would be a swell place to rest my
voice."
Later. in the officers quarters, Joe
and Pete sat talking with a couple of
second lieutenants. THAT was a great
show. you guys gave. Best we've ever
had!" one of them said.
That was a great audience. Best
we've ever had!" Joe answered
Are these guys mostly drafted
men?" Pete asked.
oh, no! We've got a percentage of
volunteers. Most of us were in before
the draft. There's quite a difference
in the spirit here, they tell us-I mean,
the folks that give shows here. Well!
We've got to turn in now. Come on,
we'll show you your quarters
Later, as they sat on their respec-
tive hunks, Pete looked at Joe and
grinned. What do you say if We grab
a years solid booking here? I'd sort
of like settling down for a while
sleeping at night for a change"
well! You've always handled the
business-I'm in, if you are!"
Then we're in, old-timer! I'll talk
terms with Uncle Sam tomorrow.
Shake"
They shook hands solemnly.
Nov that that's settled, I'll give you
your mail was afraid it might spoil
your performance. Here" Pete
handed him a mauve envelope ut
came by messenger just as We were
leaving"
"Thanks!" Joe opened it slowly
and almost too calmly. Pete turned
away. Joe began to laugh.
Get load of this" and handed
his letter to Pete who laughed, too,
as he read:
Dear Joe: I'm desperately disap-
pointed but the doctor has said that
really must have rest. It seems
I've been OVERRIDING things a bit So
I'm afraid our little trip will have
to wait until later in the summer. II