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Page 17

Getting Away With It by Lew Lewis

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This is the first of the "Tales of the Battle of Texas" -- of which there are many yet untold. 

Synopsis of Part 1

Lt. Charles Marvin, a pilot at Wellington field, Texas, is an inveterate humorist. His favorite pastime is in imitating the speech and mannerisms of French fliers stationed at the field. On one occasion he plays a practical joke on a tent-mate, Lt. Bob Rowe, by sprinkling powdered sugar between his sleeping blankets. Rowe is almost eaten alive by ants and declares he will even the score with Marvin. Rowe attempts to do this by a unique method. He phones to Keyport, Texas, a sulphur mining town fifty miles away, and tells the mayor that Wellington Field will be glad to offer the services of Lt. de Marvin, a famous French ace to help Keyport put over its Liberty Loan drive on July 4th. Without telling Marvin of the plan, it is arranged that Charlie will address the people of Keyport at their holiday celebration. On the day set, the two pilots fly to Keyport. Upon landing, Rowe informs Marvin that he is to be introduced as a French Ace. "And you'd better get away with it," he adds, as the mayor is seen approaching the airplane. 

The mayor and two members of his committee descended from the sedan and hurried toward the fliers. Despite the dignitary's position as chief executive of the town, he did not awe Charlie very much. Any man who wore tan shoes and a high silk hat couldn't be very describing. If the rest of the town was anything like the mayor, Charlie decided he had a chance to get out of Keyport alive. 

"Wal, wal, wal," declared his honor as he came toward Bob with hand outstretched in greeting. "Wal, wal, wal! This is certainly mighty nice of you, Captain Howe. Real nice and neighborly. Mighty glad to see you. And this is Lieutenant de Marvin? How do you like this country, lieutenant?"

Charlie shook hands, bowed and smiled and said nothing. The power of speech left him apparently. He mentally decided he didn't think so much of the country either. It was with an effort that he made his wobbly legs carry him to the big sedan, but once inside the car and on their way back to the celebration grounds, his brain cleared and he decided to "get away with it" if possible. This would be his last impersonation and it had to be good. He wondered what kind of a speech he was supposed to make...

Suddenly Charlie noticed the people. There seemed to be millions of them... a cheering, yelling mob lined each side of the shell road laong which they were slowly driving up to the grand stand. The band was still doing its best .... playing "Over There" ... noise everywhere ... flags waving ... the tri-color of France draped across the speaker's platform. Charlie suddenly realized the reception was probably for him and his legs felt weak again. Well, he was safe so far. Probably because he hadn't said anything as yet ... well, here they were at the grand stand ... more introductions ... he bowed and smiled ... said nothing. Finally everybody sat down ... the local band quit playing ...  the cheers  of the crowd died away ... what a sea of faces in front of the grand stand ... no place to run to ... he had to go through with it ... his honor, the mayor was speaking.