Arkansas State press., 1943-10-01


halted to gaze in al the ~caricatures
Of Dwight and Chesebro, and again
farther up the boulevard at still 9TH
er carieatures. Near Highland the
sidewalk became impossible. We
endeavered to worm our way
through, for Reeds hotel was Just
beyond the corner The first intima-
ton that it was more than a mere
congestion of pedestrians came with
the sound of a mans voice-a reedy.
husky voiee-shouting:
Look at that Look at that"
We pressed our way into the
crowd and beheld at the center OF
the throng a hatless figure. red OF
face and vociferous to the point OF
apoplexy. rs II me?a he demand
ed plaintively Of the gaping crowd.
is il me-" He pointed at a shop
window wherein | could make out a
group of ~earieatures, the origin of
which Was quite apparent. ! recog,
nized the fellow. a minor comedian.
he was a bit player who was cast
in an occasional picture. But to
judge from his appearance he felt
far from comic at the moment. In
deed a more serious figure. a more
deeply outraged figure would be diff
ficult to conceive.
don't knew why a second figure
on the sidewalk should catch my eye
at the moment unless it were that
the president monitor within me had
again directed my eyes into the
misty pool of future time to that
terrifying experience at Mazatlan.
For the man was an utter stranger.
He was inactive. standing idly by,
apparently not greatly moved by the
lndignity that had been done him.
The man was smoking a frayed ci-
gar. He was hatless, dressed in an
Incredible sports coat, brown Stacks
and a pink and white check shirt
that would have affronted the esthet-
lc sense of a moron.
II won't stand for it" beloved
the comedian. Il WON'T Give me a
brick, somebody. Where's a brick?"
don't know where the brick came
from. | suspected. but with no rea-
son whatever. that the man with the
frayed cigar was guilty.
You know laughed Reed Bar
ton, as we rolled down town to the
union station, Il wish | could stay
and e how this comes out"
IN tell you how it comes out
when | see you at Mazatlan," l
said. I've arranged to 60 with
Dwight and Margaret on their
cruise. Leaving in a week or So"
There is more than a fine talent
here" said Dwight. his voice having
a judicial sound in the quiet of the
ships lounge on the Orizaba. The
thin smoke OF his cigarette ascend
ed through the lighted are made by
the green-shaded light. He rustled
the papers on the table, looking at
first n reproduction Of Elsa's Carl
catures and then at another. There
was a full page spread Of Elsa's
caricatures in the rotogravure sec
ton, besides others in the new sec
ton. Elsa had made a hit; she
was being hailed as a find,
"Oh, hello. Chesebro. Come int"
Dwight, looking past me into the
passageWay beyond the open door of
the lounge, suddenly called cut. |
turned to behold Jimmy the Cheese
on the threshold. We shook hands
all around, and Dwight waved Cheese
bro 10 a chair, we were just talk
Ing about Elsa he explained when
we had settled. about her mugs,
az she calls them"
A voice broke in upon us as we
sat there in the lounge, a strange
voice, slightly blurred in its tone
and smacking Of New York in its
infections,
If you're speaking of Elsa, |
brought her out, Just now" said
the voice.
I'VE were, yes" Dwight rose
questioningly to his feet and made
as if to move toward the doorway
whence came the voice.
Don't bother to get up" said the
voice heartily. Elisa and l just got
here a few minutes ago. The stew.
ard helped us on board, and / saw
you fellows in here SO | came or in
That's quite right" Dwight as
sured the man, I'm glad you did.
My names Nichols"
Glad to meet you, Nichols. My
names Rumble. George Rumble"
This is Mr.. Chesebro, and MIR.
Madison"
Glad to meet you BOTH" said
Mr.. Rumble, shaking hands swiftly
with Chesebro and then with me.
Don't believe I've ever heard OF
you two before" He helped him.
self unasked to cigarettes and sat
down on the corner Of the table.
Nice little boat you've got here,
Nichols. Looks like a swell traveller
Of the ocean blue"
Eyes, thank you. I'm glad you
could come down and be with us
tonight"
Thanks. | always get a kick out