Anita Gautreaux
August 24, 2018
Homework Buddies WANTED!
August 24, 2018
In the winter of 1950 we returned from Fort Riley, Kansas and back to civilian life. Since Lent was over that meant Cajuns were dancing and musicians were working again. I still lived at ray parents with free room and board which was looked down on Also being a musician was not considered a viable occupation. (Today adult children living with their parents seems to be accepted-)
My band, “Leroy Martin and the Southern Sarenaders” was pretty popular at the time and I had booked the annual Golden Meadow Volunteer Firemen’s fair which was held on the Golden Meadow High School ground (now Middle School) on June 35. 1960. A wood band stand, dance floor and headquarters was built by the giant steps*
The main fund raiser for the Firemen this year was Bingo Blackout far $2 a card which had been sold all over the area. The prize? A brand new Old-amobile “88” sedan. Absentee cards were played by volunteers and there was a rumor that “Tee Mon” Danos, local slot machine guru had bought 500 of them. The ground was packed and the prize car was on a pedeetal.
After three hours of a 4 hour dance, I was singing with new lyrics a sang from the 1900s ‘*Won*t you rids with ma Louise, in my marry Oldsmobile, well go riding to and fro. along the old Buy-O. (Since the Hank Williams song Jambalaya. our “Buy-you” Lafourche was now pronounce “Buy-O!” hut in songs only.
I had triad all day to find someone to go half with me on a Bingo card but no hick, so I shelled oat the two bucks my-self 1950 money which I needed with my $15 fee to pay the note due tomorrow on my 1949 Ford used car.
The chairman called the main event I was drinking a beer so I asked two young ladies to check the numbers on my card. As the game rolled on one yelled “Leroy, only 3 numbers for you to win. Then 2. then 1 and “Bingo, my card blacked out”. After a long pause and re-checking it was determined that I was the only winner. Wow!
I was shaking as I took the keys but I suddenly felt a mysterious chill. The same happy people and friends who were so happily dancing to my music were now staring at me with strange faces and not making eye contact It took me a while to figure out what those Stares were thinking……”Hp won my car..ifs not fair, he works for the fair…….it must be rigged….I should have won (much like Hillary felt recently). They didn’t say it but I felt it It seemed the temperature dropped to 30 degrees. The band started again bat only about 2094 of the formerly packed dance floor was occupied. A pall had settled over the Fairground.
On the last break, I ma smoking a cigarette (haven’t for over 40 years now) and Bulking and telling myself It really wasn’t happening, but I felt it was. What a day! Playing music…happiness……Winning a car…more happiness,…..reaction to my winning., …sadness.
I saw my Dad, who had never owned a car and I told him “My last car note is tomorrow, $55 bucks…..pay it and my Ford is yours “
He was delighted and so was Mom although aha never learned to drive. Well, a little happiness here, hut my best friend Dick Guidry was walking towards me.
“Hey Lee….congratulations but I have bad news. Just got a call from Captain John Mar cello of the National Guard North Korea has just invaded South Korea and we’re at war Our division ban been mobilized” Dick explained our options 1. We could be mobilized and sent overseas….or, 2. We could be declared a coastal division and frozen to defend the coast or…3…certain numbers of us can be called…..or…….Stop! Have you any good news to tell me? “Yes, due to my feet troubles I’ve bean honorably discharged so let’s yon and I go get smashed.” Well good news for him. More good and bad news next week for me. BYE NOW!
CAJUN STORIES!
