In 1929, the movie idol of the day was Douglas Fairbanks Sr. who played all the swashbuckling, swordfighting roles - leaping all over the place and rescuing all the ladies. He had a lock of hair that kept getting into his eye and a thin little carefully trimmed mustache that gave him a "devil may care" look. Someone must have told young 25 year-old Eric Hopf that he looked like the movie star, because he patterned his style of dress after him, wearing knickers and knee sox and using Brillianteen to rumple his hair and encourage the tumbling lock over his eye! Campbell, of course, saw none of this and so relied on Eric's spoken word.
Eric was eager, wanted to see the southwest states, was a good mechanic, knew the family, and had a perfect driving record. Plus he had the complete endorsement of Jeanette!
We were to leave on July 5th, the day after the 4th of July because the four Stewart kids were to carry the large American flag presented to their dad by the American Legion in the 4th of July parade in Chicago. So, Eric was hired. We marched in the parade carrying the four corners of the flag with Martha and I in front and Irv and Helen in the rear. Two boy scouts marched on either side to prevent the large flag from touching the ground.
Everyone clapped as we marched by.
The next day on July 5th, 1929, I hugged Florence goodbye as she handed us the big hamper of sandwiches and tea she had prepared. We all climbed into our assigned seats in the Cadillac with Eric in the driver's seat, Mother beside him, Martha and I in the two velvet pull down seats, and Campbell in the big rear seat with Irving and Helen. Never once during the entire trip was this seating arrangement changed.
Mother NEVER sat in the back with us.
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