Adventure Magazine Cover, November 10, 1924 — page 62: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

60 “No,” said Eadie sadly, ‘‘nor any dinner either.” . “Come on with us,” cried the newcomers, ““we’re going down to St. Malo and we know a place we can fill you up fine.”’ ‘“‘Come on, Jake,’ said Eadie. ‘‘Let’s go. Anywhere to get away from this drunken revel.” “St. Malo, ho!” cried the Frog, and the four went away. ) They went up through the camp and down past the stables at the back. Be- yond the stables was another collection of souvenir booths and open-air kitchens where French fried potatoes were sold, and a little beyond the line of booths was a village, that of St. Malo de Beignon. It was a real old Breton town. The houses were low and built of rough stone. They had earthen floors and very small windows. There were a number of what seemed to be inns grouped together and on the front wall of each was a collection of wooden boards, cut in the shapes of flaming bombs, similar to the insignia of the ord- nance corps in the American army. On these signs were many names, and the words, “Class 1888’, or “Class 1902”’. The names were those of the men belonging to the conscripts of that year who had spent their training period at the camp, and who had frequented that particular inn. The Frog led the way into one of these, the “‘“Popotte des Maréchaux de Logis,” and, addressing himself to one of the buxom lasses that waited on the tables, requested supper. A colloquy ensued, and the Frog announced to the party that there was no room in the interior of the place, but that a cow house across the yard was at their disposal. Into this they went and, arranging a table, seated on barrels, they awaited the arrival of supper. They were to have an omelette, jelly, bread and butter. An omelette made of Breton eggs, flavored with Breton jelly, is a feast that would make Lucullus leave Rome, and when a man has had nothing to eat all day, it stops but a little short of paradise to be fed upon such food. “Nice girls they’ve got here,” remarked Jake. “Won’t do you no good,” said the Frog. “They got the best lookin’ girls to work in these places to draw trade. But when the girls ain’t busy, the soldiers can’t get out, Adventure and when the soldiers can get out, the girls are too busy waiting on table. Have a drink. What’ll it be?” : “T don’t want anything,” said Eadie. “J don’t ever want a drink again. Bring me some water.” ‘Water!’ cried the Frog and Joe Lee. ‘‘No one drinks water in this country out- side a camp. Never do. It kills you.” ‘Well, let’s have a drink then, but make it mild.” “Qual? anisettes,”’ said the Frog, when the girl appeared with the bread. The ani- settes arrived. ‘“‘They’re waiting for the hen to lay the eggs for that omelette,” remarked Lee after a time. “I’m thirsty, let’s have another anisette.”’ : “Encore,” cried the Frog. : Encore was brought. The omelette still lingered. “T feel better,” said Eadie. “By golly, I’m glad I met you fellows. It was de- pressing as a death in the family to come back and find the outfit in an orgy. We had a tough time to get back, too. We were torpedoed on the way over.” “No!” cried the other two. Eadie, aided by Jake, recounted the sad tale of the loss of the transport. “Man, that was a tough time,” cried Frog. “It’s a wonder you didn’t get drowned. You were born to be hung, I al- ways said.” At that moment the omelette arrived. “Hey, girl,” said Jake, “bring us a drink.” He held up four fingers. ‘Nix on these caraway cookies. A real snort of some- thing. Look!” He gripped his blouse over hisstomach and twisted it, at the same time closing his eyes tight and shuddering. “Good wan, you want!” laughed the gitl. “J’en at, absolument!’” They fell on to the omelette and bread. The girl brought four more drinks and they were downed. “Wow!” cried Eadie. ‘‘What’s that? Who ordered this extract of barbed wire?’’ “That’s good stuff,” said Lee, wiping his eyes. “It takes hold of a man. Good for you. Kills the germs in your insides.” “Boys,” cried Eadie, “TI feel fine. I tell you, I’m glad to be back to the outfit. I had a tough time getting here, though. Jake and I were put in the mill for losing our train. I thought we’d never get out.”’ CoOMmichook Wh) © 5}