Miscellany, Aug. 8, 1949

Field Work. In Grand Rapids, Mich., Mrs. Vivien Nelson, filling out her fourth marriage-license application, listed her occupation as “bridal consultant.”

Bargain. In Coney Island, N.Y., Magistrate Charles E. Ramsgate persuaded a mother to keep her children out of a neighbor’s garden, on condition that the neighbor stop setting out poison ivy plants.

Jackpot. In Melbourne, Australia, Maurice Crowe disclosed that his wife’s will had left him a lottery ticket a month for life on condition that any winnings be used to pay her real-estate debts.

Slow Burn. In Toulouse, France, Georges Ramond explained to police why he had knocked down Jean Marie Fontès: Fontès had hit him first—26 years ago.

Trust Fund. In Dallas, Earnest S. Powell told police that two hold-up men had settled, in lieu of cash, for a $15 check.

The Dangerous Age. In Flushing, N.Y., Mrs. Mary Kovacik, 70, charged in court that her husband Joe, 66, had spanked her for “running around with the boys.”

Hooked. In Gaines, Pa., Raymond R. Cole boasted to friends about the 28-in. brown trout he had caught with his bare hands, learned too late from Justice of the Peace Roger Stevens that catching fish with the hands is illegal. Fine: $20.

Just Desserts. In Delaware, Ohio, Douglas Ditrick ate 13 ears in a corn-eating contest and won first prize: 15 ears of corn.

Specialists. In St. Louis, Piatt & Smillie Chemicals Inc. ran a want ad: “Salesman: expert driver, talker, liar, hunter, dancer, traveler, bridge player, poker player . . . capitalist . . . and authority on palmistry, chemistry and physiology,” which drew replies from 83 applicants.

Hep. In Chicago, Mrs. Neola Kleidon, granted a divorce after she complained that her husband Charles did not like boogie-woogie, waived alimony payments but won custody of the family phonograph and record collection.

Rationalizer. In Tucker, Ark., it took seven prison-farm waiters, instead of the usual two, to serve condemned wife-murderer Harvey Rorie the traditional last meal: fried chicken, fried catfish, mayonnaise, coconut cake, coconut pie, lemon pie, one half-gallon French fried potatoes, potato salad, one half-gallon vanilla ice cream, hot biscuits, vegetable salad, half-pound of butter, one gallon of lemonade, one half-gallon of milk, one half-gallon of strong black coffee, two packs of cigarettes, five cigars.