"Our Venerable Organization "The 3 Musketeers"

 

This photo is the last get-together of all 3 Musketeers

Is it simply a coincidence that I came across this letter today??
On April 27, 1996 Uncle Joe Mule' wrote a letter to the effect that he needed "....to convene an emergency meeting of the above mentioned society(i.e., The 3 Musketeers)".   In the letter he states that " the urgency of this matter is underscored by the medical status of 2 of our members, one of whom is suffering from Post Desert Storm World War II Syndrome (The Big One according to Archie Bunker) while engaged in protecting the safety and welfare of the other 2 slackers members who beat the Draft, thereby setting an example for our noble President. [Joe makes reference to the fact that he had a spontaneous rupture of a blood vessel of the left eye whereas the other member (referring to Nick) is incapacitated with bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome, persistent shoulder pain, along with a pattern of intermittent sleep deprivation upon retiring.]
"having talked with Brutus # 6 7/8 recently, and in light of my own recent personal experiences, I feel obligated - indeed compelled- to entreat you to assume the awesome responsibility of carrying on the exalted traditions of the "3M's" into the next century.  Thus ensuring that your children and grand-children are fully apprised of the exploits of our society - i.e.,
1.) Our educational pursuits relative to our rich cultural heritage of the 30's & 40's, such as our frequent trips to the World's Fair, the Modern Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History in N.Y. and the Hudson Theatre in New Jersey.
2.) Your clandestine, cloak & dagger "lock picking" exploits in search of contraband and subversive materials, causing consternation & panic in the locker room of fellow students at Brooklyn College.
3.) The bewilderment of local residents upon seeing a "naked" Brooklyn College Student freezing his "ass" off on the street outside the Gym at said college.
  Joe ends his letter " So it is with a heavy heart that I urge you to accept this awesome burden of leadership.  Awaiting your reply.
                                                    Member In Good Standing,
                                                     The Lover
PS. # 1  I can still read Get Well Cards with my right eye.
PS # 2 I refuse to wear a black eye patch because it could scare my cat.
PS # 3 I hope my cat gets along with my Seeing Eye Dog.
                                                             cc: Brutus 6 7/8
                                                                  (Keeper of the Privy Seal)
So there you have it - a bit of a feel for my Uncle Joe Mule' and the Three Musketeers!   It amazes me how far they carried their little "play" - From the moment they were dubbed the Three Musketeers by one of their college instructors, it has added humor, excitement and cohesion to their friendship and to their lives.  Family and friends have also enjoyed witnessing their productions.   I'm the proud owner of a couple of "documents" containing this famous "privy seal" . 
This letter gives a peak into the time in which they lived their youth:
the 1939 World's Fair, "free entertainment" at the NYC Museums, a burlesque theater in New Jersey
( I heard a couple of stories about this infamous theater when I was "well on in years" myself.  I guess they did not want to shock me when I was young).
In the letter, we also see they were somewhat naughty and apparently proud of it.  After all, Joe is asking Charlie and Nick to make sure these tales of misbehavior are shared with their children and grandchildren. - Can you imagine shoving poor Joe naked into the street outside of the Brooklyn College Gym and then shutting and locking the door behind him?  And, Joe didn't have much fat on him!  He must have been both embarrassed and freezing.
Good thing Charlie didn't have a tendency for thievery with all the lock picking he enjoyed over the years.
So there you have it in Uncle Joe's own words - a brief history of the Three Musketeers.
The other thing I happened to find today (coincidence???) was a bookmark from Joe Mule' that has a picture of a 1940's era cutie in a very modest two piece bathing suit.   Joe added a sticky note , "She'd look cuter with a skimpier bathing suit".    The quote ( Scottish Proverb)  on the bookmark says, " Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead."   Sounds like sound advice, Uncle Joe! 

                                        This is the last time Joe and Charlie got together.