Читать книгу Rage. The Legend of "Baseball Bill" Denehy онлайн

79 страница из 92

“That doesn’t sound right,” Dad said.

Instead, my dad called a local Irish Middletown politician who was the head of the Democratic Party. The man suggested that I come and see him.

The politician lived in a big mansion on High Street. He and I sat in a large sitting room.

“Just go down to the National Guard tomorrow and enlist, and you’ll be all taken care of,” he said. The next day I went down to the National Guard office and got in line. When I returned home, my dad asked me what had happened.

“They didn’t take me,” I said. “I’m number 252 on the waiting list, and if I’m number 252, I’m going to be drafted. There’s something wrong.”

“Let me call him again,” said his father.

I returned to the politician’s house.

“Did you speak to Captain Dzailo?” he asked.

“No.”

“They must have forgotten to tell you,” he said. “Go in tomorrow and talk to Captain Dzailo. He’ll take care of you.”

I returned to the National Guard recruiting office and asked to see Captain Dzailo, who said he was expecting me. I signed the papers, and the following day I found myself at Fort Dix, New Jersey, getting my hair cut for the National Guard.