Miscellany, Jul. 31, 1944

No Gaffs, No Gimmicks. In Indianapolis, John E. Lee, 17, on trial for bigamy, explained that he had thought his second marriage automatically divorced him from his first wife.

Button, Button. In Miles City, Mont., Frank Smith got out of his car, stopped, picked up a button. He soon let go—attached to it were seven rattles and a rattlesnake.

Hardy Perennial. In Dublin, Ind., 75-year-old Riley A. Laymon and his 33-year-old wife had their third child in three years.

Half Truth. In Boston, Mrs. Henry F. Waitt was asked in court: “Didn’t your husband black your eyes last year?” Replied she: “Of course not—only one of them.”

Back Later. In Albany, Calif., Clarence Ford and George Crawford escaped from jail, left a note: “Columbus took a chance. We can see they are going to throw the book at us so we are going to get as much freedom as we can. Please keep our toilet articles. . . . Also hold any mail because we know well get caught sooner or later.”

Woman’s Place. In Hollywood, Mrs. Minnie Short asked for a divorce, charged that her husband had made her work as a blacksmith for twelve years, threatened to cut her heart out if she disobeyed.

Any Port. In Belmont, Calif., a dog named Pando, trapped in a burning house, scurried to the bathroom, plunged into the toilet bowl, was found safe & sound after the house had burned down.

His Master’s Voice. In Lafayette, Ind.. Police Sergeant Cecil Baker, acting on a complaint that a strange dog would not get out of a car, recognized the dog, pulled him out, phoned his owner, Alvin Fay. Said Mr. Fay: “Put the dog on the phone and I’ll talk to him.” The Sergeant put the dog on the phone, overheard Fay say: “What are you doing up there, Pat? Get right on home.” Pat went right on home.

Too True. In Los Angeles, a brush manufacturer, by way of publicity, brought out a true toothbrush (see cut).