Humor Streeter, Edward: Same Old Bill, eh Mable! (illustrated). v1. 09 August 2012

[GrannyGrump]

First published 1919.
By Edward Streeter (1891-1976), author of “Father of the Bride,” “Dere Mable,” “That’s Me All Over, Mable,” “As You Were, Bill!” etc.

The third in the “Dere Mable” series, with 27 full-page cartoon illustrations. During the final months of World War I, Bill and his unit are finally shipped overseas to France and the front lines. Even during conditions of mobilization and battle, his letters to Mable continue to describe the comic moments of his life. There are some serious moments as well, and the reader is reminded of the sacrifices made by so many men and women in wartime.

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An excerpt:

If you ever have to do any travelin in France, walk. I dont suppose you ever took a five day trip in an open trolly. We traveled five days an all the time straight away from the front. First we thought we was goin to Italy but we must have passed that long ago. They finally landed us in a little town with about a hundred people, fifty cows an no pictur show. The more I see of this country the more patriotic I get.

The train we came down on looked like one I had when I was a kid on tracks. You felt somebody ought to get out an wind the engine every time it stopped. Whenever we got to stashuns a lot of fellos in long coats would come out an blow whissels. Sometimes wed start but most of the time nothin happened. At last I found a job for the Top sargent when the war is over.

The cars are marked 1st, 2nd an 3rd class. The difference is that the wheels on the 1st class has only got one flat side. The 2nd class has got two, an the 3rd class wheels are square. We ride in the 3rd class. Luckily the cars has only got four wheels. There so short you couldnt get any more under them if you wanted to.

There freight cars are all Ford models to. On the doors they got painted “Hommes 40 Chevaux 8.” Thats French for 40 men an 8 horses. That struck me as funny till I figgered out that they probably pack five men between each horse sos they wont rattle round so much.