An Adventure in Flemington

Guest Blogger: Elijah A. Smith, Editor-in-Chief, The Register, Blaineton, NJ

I’ve heard that my wife Maggie was a g’hal – a regular ruffian – when she was growing up. She used to chase around with the boys, play baseball, and get into all manner of mischief with them. If that’s the case, then my stepdaughter Frankie is just like her mother.

In The Enlistment, we have a story in which our Frankie takes it into her head that she can’t bear to be without her dear beau Patrick, who has enlisted in the Army. So, she cuts off her hair, dresses like a boy, and sets out for Camp Fair Oaks in Flemington to join up with him.

Things don’t go as she planned, of course. Why is no wonder. She only ever had that one plan.

The whole episode nearly gave her mother fits, and as for me… Let’s just say I had to hold my tongue more than usual out of deference to Maggie’s alternating bouts of maternal fears and frustration. Ladies and gentlemen, I am no fool. I know what’s good for me.

Oh, and I understand that there was some controversy over the young lady on the cover of the book. Some of our followers were adamant that Maggie would never allow Frankie to pierce her ears and wear earrings. No matter what Miss Stafford may say, the followers are right. Maggie does not hold with young girls sporting earrings. Frankie has done many foolish things in her time, but that’s not one of them.

Please take a gander at the opening pages of this story over in the Store.