Miscellany: Grocer

In Atlanta, Ga., Samuel Feldman, grocer, looked across his counter at a smiling Negro who was pointing a pistol at him.

“I’m back,” said the Negro.

“Where have you been?” asked Grocer Feldman.

“On my vacation.”

Grocer Feldman then emptied his till, gave the contents ($45) to the Negro, who disappeared into the night. Later Grocer Feldman went to the police. “It was the same man,” he declared, “and the same pistol.”

Grocer Feldman should know. Six times since January has his little store been entered and robbed by the same glib, ebony thief. The procedure has almost become a ritual. The Negro customarily surveys the store about closing hour (7:30 p. m.) to see that Grocer Feldman is alone, then immediately enters with his pistol. Usually nothing is said. Grocer Feldman smiles wanly and calmly gives his money to the black man. The first time he got $87. His succeeding visits netted him $49, $57, $54, $30. This year, Grocer Feldman was unable to take his family away for a holiday.

Slugs

In San Francisco one Edward Hiebel was sued for $20,500 damages by Mrs. Alvena Marchant because he dropped telephone slugs down her back and she broke her leg in trying to avoid him.

Jokester

In Chicago, Gilva McClathie’s wife haled him to court, sued for divorce. She said her husband sent her to the kitchen every morning, then, with admonitions of “Don’t peek,” hid her daily 75¢ allowance somewhere in another room. Mrs. McClathie’s complaint was that some days she could not find the money, went hungry.

Service

In Chicago, Mrs. Rose Carfora sued for divorce, charging that two years ago her husband, Dr. Alphonse Carfora, brought his first, divorced wife back to the home, relegated Rose and her children to the cellar where they washed, cooked and did odd jobs for the doctor and his mistress.

Bath

In Chicago, thieves entered the home of J. G. Haber, sausage manufacturer. They found Mr. Haber snoozing by the radio, Mrs. Flossy Haber singing in the bathtub. Opening the bathroom door, they tossed Mrs. Haber a wrap, made her get them her jewel box, contents valued at $8,100.

Beggar

In Warsaw, Poland, Moses Feingold, 70, beggar, learned that his brother John, who had emigrated to the U. S., whom he had not seen for 65 years, had bequeathed him $1,000,000. Beggar Feingold went insane.

Boy

In Alton, Ill., Robert Wadlow, 11, was measured. He stood 6 ft.11 in. tall, weighed 230 Ibs., wore a size 27 shoe (17 inches, heel-to-toe).

Thrift

In Atlanta, Ga., one Helen Smith told a housekeeper that she was a police officer so that she might enter the house, put in a telephone call free of charge.

Evidence

In Lincoln, Neb., a bottle was introduced as evidence in a liquor case. After the judge had examined and shaken it, it exploded, spouted its contents to the ceiling.

Franchise

In Manhattan, Roger Maloney, 21, apprehended with a stolen automobile, explained that he had taken it because he wanted to drive to Schenectady to vote.

Sale

In Eliza, Ill., bills have been posted announcing the public auction of the entire town, which comprises general store, drug store, barber shop, pool rooms, community building, grammar school.

Counterfeiter

In Milan, Italy, a woman tried to pay a shopkeeper with coins of suspiciously leaden color. He turned her over to the police. While she wailed, protested she was not a counterfeiter, they examined her handbag, found that a small thermometer had broken, releasing mercury which had formed amalgam on the coins.

Miller

In Sandy Lake, Manitoba, aged Paul Boychuk, miller, proudly inspected a giant grist-grinder which he had invented many years ago. It included a strange lumber framework, a steam engine, a mighty boulder whirling rapidly in air. As he watched, the revolving stone split into countless fragments. A 150-lb. piece struck Miller Boychuk, killed him.