My Darling...
...
There was a pretty good bullsession under way in Dave's
office earlier in the evening. One of the boys told a story on Dave which
underline the commando capacities of the ACS. We have a weekly inspection of
our rifles here, and Dave, as acting first sergeant, usually makes it. The
first time he was detailed to the job he was so unfamiliar with it that he
talked Gene and some of his other friends into letting him report them, just so
he would have something to show for his work. They agreed and their names were
duly posted as having "dirty breech" or "dirty bore." Since
then he has learned what he is looking for and does a more soldierly job,
although sometimes he cannot resist the temptation to list some soldier as
having "dirty breech, frightful bore."
...
[This is a story that eventually showed up in Skid Road]
 |
| John L Sullivan, Wikipedia |
...Gene finally recovered his copy of his history of
vaudeville and variety in Seattle, and I started to read it. it is quite good.
There is so much factual material and he had so little space that at times it
sloughs off into the pedantic, but usually it is very bright and moves much
better than the subject matter warrants. One story which I liked particularly
was of John L. Sullivan's appearance in a play which was built to get around
the ban on boxing exhibitions. He was continually called on to cuff a villain
or six. One time he ran onto the stage shouting, "I’ll save you,
Mudder." Someone in the balcony shouted, "Save her! You can't even
pronounce her!" John L stopped short, walked up to the footlights and said,
"Who said dat?" No answer. He walked off stage, came running back on
and shouted again, "I'll save you, Mudder." He turned and looked at the
balcony. Silence. Then he shook hands with himself, acknowledged the cheers of
the audience, and went on with his thespian chores.
...
Only 83 more days now darling,
your everloving M
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