Miscellany, Jun. 9, 1941

Letter. The London Sunday Times published a letter which George Braikenridge of Bristol wrote to an American business firm: “The so-long-threatened invasion of this country has not yet been attempted, but we expect that in a few days it will be and there seems to be no dread here about it; the whole Nation seems confident. …” Date of the letter: March 24, 1804.

Correction. Near Columbus, Ga., several trucks of the City of Miami, Illinois Central’s crack streamliner, left the rails, sliced ties and spikes for a half-mile, crossed a 150-foot trestle, hit a curve and safely remounted the rails.

Party Line. In Manorville, L.I., static on a party line was eliminated when telephone company investigators persuaded a woman to stop using her receiver as a darning egg.

Escapists. In Brooklyn, Angel Hernandez climbed the 200-foot tower of Manhattan Bridge, lay down and stayed. “I just wanted a little peace and quiet,” he told police. At Fort Lewis, Wash., Private Kenneth Wilkinson saw his 245th feature-length movie since his enlistment last October. His explanation: “They make me forget my troubles.”

Obstructionist. In Chattanooga, Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway moved to enjoin Sam Shipley, 22, from “standing on the tracks . . . until it becomes necessary … to put down the emergency brakes.”

Observation. In Hartford, a missing diamond ring that had been sought for over two weeks was finally found by a blind man. It was on the ground floor of the State Capitol.

Jail. In Madison, Wis., a student turned up four days early to serve a five-day sentence for disorderly conduct. Purpose: to get on with his cramming in solitude. In El Paso, a prisoner awaiting trial for trying to smuggle sedatives to inmates got tight on twelve pints of smuggled stimulants. In Philadelphia, a prisoner awaiting trial tried reducing, shed 38 pounds, squeezed through his bars to freedom.

Appeal. From the North Adams (Mass.) Transcript: “Betsy Earle’s parents wish to announce that she is suffering from a severe case of worms, and they urgently urge that, in the interest of her continued good health, the townspeople discontinue the practice of feeding her candy.”

Obedience. In Tampa, a draft registrant has faithfully notified his local board each of the four times he has moved since March. He didn’t tell where.