Proud Highway:Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman by Hunter S. Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

numb. However, it’s the best looking one I’ve done yet, and drew many compliments.
    Davison 7 is becoming very well known around the office, due to the fact that I do a running commentary on all the clippings you send me about him; plus any news you give me. Give him my congratulations and tell him to keep up the good work. Male High seems to be developing a mental block where he is concerned: this sort of thing must cease. Hello to everyone else. I sign out. Will write again if possible.
    Love,
Hunter
    TO ELIZABETH RAY :
    Elated to be serving in the “glorious capacity” of
Command Courier
sports editor, Thompson wrote his mother’s sister about life at Eglin and his career plan.
    October 18, 1956
Eglin AFB
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
    Dear Aunt Lee,
    You’ll have to pardon the use of the typewriter, because I’m at the office now, and no suitable stationery is available. Furthermore, I’ll also apologize in advance for the millions of mistakes I’m bound to make.
    I’m winding up for the evening, and will soon make a valiant attempt to get some sleep—a rare commodity these days. As I finished the story I was working on, it suddenly occurred to me that you just might like to know what your incredibly wicked nephew is doing with himself at present. Althoughthough I don’t know your address, I decided to write you anyway, in care of mom.
    I am now acting in the glorious capacity of sports editor of the
Command Courier,
the official organ of Eglin AFB, Fla. The job is nerve-wracking and the hours are terrible, but I love the work. For the first time, I have found something which will keep me busy and which is also enjoyable. Thus, I have been able to keep out of mischief and finally settle myself on an even keel for once.
    In addition to writing everything in the sports section, I also am responsible for the page layout (arrangement of stories and pictures). For a person with no previous experience, this entails a good deal of work, but I’m having a fine time learning. My “Spectator” column is naturally my primary concern and is the item which requires the most thought and literary polish. I have become so ambitious that I have joined the Armed Forces Writers League and will soon make wild attempts to get something published. If I can swing this, then I should be able to augment my suffering “College Fund” considerably. Some magazines pay a nickel a word to brash beginners like myself, and with some luck and more than a little work, I might be able to become self-supporting, in spite of the Air Force’s efforts to keep me in a state of poverty.
    At present, in addition to my journalistic duties, I’m taking night classes with Florida State University. This semester, I’m taking Speech and Psychology—both interesting subjects. Next semester, I’ll probably take Composition and Philosophy. Naturally, this keeps me constantly busy, but will definitely be worthwhile in the long run. When I’m discharged, I’ll be able to start school with advanced standing at least.
    This Florida weather is fine—it’s about 80 degrees during the day and about 60 at night … very pleasant. Although I’ll probably go overseas within the next year, I’m satisfied where I am at the moment.
    All in all, things are coming along quite well and I’m beginning to feel like my wilder days are behind me. (I would be the worst type of hypocrite if I said that I don’t sometimes wish for the Rabelaisian parties of yesteryear, but enough is enough. Things were beginning to be carried to an extreme. Actually, I probably owe you an apology for any worry or embarrassment I caused you. I am truthfully sorry, and want you to know that I certainly appreciate your kindness over the years.)
    However, all that is water over the dam, and I must concern myself now with becoming a successful young author … ah, dreams of fame