HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1960-06-30, Page 4FATHER AND SONS- After some strained relations, the Crosby relations pose happily for
a Hollywood picture. Bing visited his sons at a show in which they are featured. They are,
from left, Phillip, Lindsay, Gary, with his arm around Bing, and Dennis.
r.
* eseeeeeeseesee
g<3,4E, easaee.
The Doctor Had To Make A Decision
Poison Pen
fooled,Judges
Perjury by a woman, said a
well-known judge, Is the mat
likely cause to-day of a miscar-
riage of justice, He was think-
ing, no doubt, ef poison-pen let-
ters, and, probably, of one of
the most successful of all perjur-
ers,
She completely fooled three
fudges and juries, she was re-
sponsible for four trials, and
twice she sent an innocent wo-
man to prison,
In 1920 Jane Blank, as we will
call her, was living with her par-
eats M a Sussex seaside town
and was employed at a laundry
M the town, The family's next-
door neighbors in No. 45, which
was separated from 47 by a nar-
row alley, were a young married
couple we will call Wye, "Janet
Wye" was a year or two younger
than Miss Blank, and was a very
attractive woman.
In May that year Jane )31ank
went to a local solicitor to com-
plain that Mrs. Wye was send-
ing her by post, or pushing un-
der the front door, letters and
postcards of a libellous and ob-
scene kind.
Other people came forward
who had received similar let-
ters, and proceedings were taken
against Janet Wye.
The case was heard at the
Lewes. Winter Assize, when Miss
Blank gave evidence and proved
an admirable witness , . "neat
and tidy in appearnce, polite and
respectful in her answers,"
It was proved that the letters
which had been sent by post
were put in the box at the beach
sub-post office, quite near to both
women's homes. Mrs. Wye de-
nied the charge, but she was con-
victed and sentenced to fourteen
days' imprisonment,
She was released at the end of
December. At once the nate
began again, and again those not
delivered by hand were posted
at beach sub-post office.
In February, 1921, Jana Blank
went to the police with a shook-
ing letter which she said had
seen Janet Wye throw on her
door step. Though some of the
others had been posted during
ten days when Mrs. Wye was at
Lewes, she once more appeared
in the dock there and was con-
victed. Mr. Justice Avery sent
her to prison for twelve =lathe.
She applied for leave to ap-
peal, but the application was re-
fused. She then petitioned the
trome Secretary, Sir Edward
fehortt, who felt that he coact
not intervene.
But at the coast town, in the
DRINKING ON THE joOlit‘ — Al
;meths Whitey Sex left fielder,
tiers doused with a cup of beet
airopped by a careless fan
reaching for ei lathe delve.. The
.6011 went into the Windt, giv
tee Charley Neal d fidme ewe
In the 7th inning itif the second
World Series oartie lit Chicago.
meautime, postai officiate stop,
ped and opened an erotic letter
in the disguised handwriting at-
tributed to Janet Wye. Others
were then handed in.
As Janet Wye was in prison,
it was obvious that the inquiry
must be re,opened, and an officer
from Scotland Yard went to the
resort, On the strength of his
first report Janet Wye was freed,
receiving the not over-generous
compensation for her wrongful
imprisonement of 4250.
AU this hod taken time, and it
was now the autumn. No sooner
was Janet Wye at home again
than a fresh batch of libels was
posted at the same sub-post
office. No one saw them put in
the box, but the police had turn-
ed their attention to Jane Blank,
and a policewoman was watch-
ing the Wyes' home from a shed
which gave a clear view of the
alley between it and No. 45.
On September 7th Miss Blank
left her home by way of the
alley and was seen to drop a let-
ter in the back garden of a
neighbour, himself a 'policeman.
It was addressed to his wife,
Jane Blank was now arrested.
It was her turn to be tried at
the next Lewes Assize, on De-
cember 9th. The judge was Mr.
Justice }3ailhache, an eminent
commercial lawyer who despised
criminal cases.
There was more evidence in-
criminating Miss Blank, includ-
ing a baker's book from which
she had torn a leaf to write the
policeman's wife, and blotting
p a p e r revealing indecent
phrases; but once the prisoner
was in sthe witness-box the judge
was putty in her hands,
Still the model witness, she be-
haved, it was said, with "just
that twinge of feeling to be ex-
pected from a person who knows
herself to be the victim of cir-
cumstances."
She had a glib tongue, and
when the judge learnt that she
had twice successfully prose-
cuted another woman for the
offence of which she herself was
now accused, he stopped the case
by asking counsel for the Crown
if he wished to take it further.
"If I were on the jury," said.
Bailhache, "I should refuse to
convict" Jane Blank left the
court in triumph.
For over a year there was
peace in the seaside town.. But
early in 1923 yet another plague
of scurrilous letters• began.
The local police had now no
doubt that Miss Blank was the
writer, but ass there were other,
if less likely, suspects, it was ar-
ranged that • stamps should be
marked in invisible ink by a
post office official, who wrote his
initials above that of the name
of the correspondent to be
watched,
On June 23rd, Jane Blank
bought two Iled. stamps at the
beach sub-post office, Those ehe
was given were marked WEB/S.
The next day she was seen
approaching the post office, and
the postmaster, stooping below
the window to keep out of sight,
watched the tray under the let-
ter-box.
Two letters fell in. Miss Blank
was fetched back, and the stamps
on the envelopes, developed in
her presence, proved to be those
she had purchased the day be-
fore.
One letter, to her sister, was in
her ordinary hand; the other, In
the now familiar disguised writ-
ing, was a typical libel address-
ed to the local sanitary inspec-
tor.
On July 18th, for the fourth
time in less than three years,
and for the second time in the
dock, Jane Blank appeared at
the Lewes Assize Court,
For the second time the judge
was Ayory, who two years be-
fore, largely on Miss Blank's
evidence, had sent Janet Wye to
prison. Even now he seems to
have been reluctant to disbelieve
the gifted prejurer, who was as
modest and composed as ever,
But a Sussex jury had had.
enough of Miss Blank, and were
barely out before they were back
with a verdict of guilty.
Avory had sentencer the inno-
cent Mrs. Wye to twelve months'
imprisonment. He gave the per-
jurer no more,
Keeping Til~l9 Li'
ltioyal Circles
Twice every week two skilled
cleckmakera employed by a Lone
don firm Visit Buckinghain Pali-
ace to wind' up more than three
hundred cloeica housed there.
When the Royal Family is hot
in residence the the opportunity
is seized to undertake any re-
pairs which May be needed to
these famous 'docks. This ,vest
the Royal Family has been away
from the Palace rather more
than usual, se the clock eitperts
have been able to keep up to date
with the various adjustments.
It was the idea of Klee Ede
ward VD to keep the clocks at
Sandringham half tat hour ahead
of Greenwich time arid they 60/1-
filmed so for more than half
century. The king thnught his
idea Would take everyone at
Sandringham punctual,
etc Complete Story
by Cyril Denson
"The trouble with most folks
is that they spend half their
short lives chasing wild dreams
—and indulging in too much
wishful thinking," As he spoke.
Jan Rittendyke looked up from
the workbench and peered keen-
ly at his visitor over the top of
his rimless glasses.
Barely five feet tall, he was
grizzled like a dried russet apple,
but his eyes revealed a fire and
vigour that were not suggested
by his meagre frame.
He waved his arm dramatical-
ly to embrace the small room.
"Take me, my young friend.
Here, between these four small
walls, you will find all that I
possess—materially, that is. Yet
I am a contented man. I have a
place to eat, sit and reflect—and
sleep, Here I have room to in-
dulge my aesthetic impulses to
the full,"
lie gestured at the profusion
of carvings, models. paintings.
"Frees these simple things I de-
rive all the adventure I require
. . all the fulfilment a man
needs."
Charles Freeman laughed at
Jan's controlled enthusiasm. /t
was a rare thing, he mused. to
find such humility, and such
simple pride in achievement, "I
only wish I could be so easily
satisfied, Jan." he said earnestly.
"But we are from different gen-
erations, don't forget."
Jan inclined his head and his
eyes were quizzical. "Pah! l'he
same old excuses, my friend.
They don't wash, you know." He
paused ruminatively.
"Always, it is the same. A man
says blithely, 'Ah yes. one day
my fortunes will chage — you
will See—when my ship comes
in—then all will be different!'"
The old man snorted so violently
that his glasses almost fell and
he made a quick grab to secure
them.
"What foolishness it all is! It
is no use to sit back like the
merchants of old and expect that
one day, by some magic, a richly
laden vessel will sail up to one's
front door."
"You argue that nothing comes
without effort?" asked. Charles.
Jan slowly shook his grey
head. "I argue that great for-
tune .is not worth the effort
however large or small, Life's
best reward is the pleasure, the
tranquillity and the satisfaction
gained from something well
done." He slapped his frail chest
impulsively. "It is in here. in
the soul, my boy. that man
should store his fortune."
Charles sighed, barely compre-
hending the old man's line of
reasoning, "Didn't you ever
want to go out into the world to
seek your fortune?"
Jan left his bench and came to
sit beside Charles on the small
settee. Lighting his stained clay
pipe, he began to nod slowly, hig
eyes tolerant and thoughtful.
"Let me tell you, Charles,
When I was a young man like
you, I had to work hard, I got
little money for my efforta—but
I did find Contentment, I was
forty when the war started—and
people began to make plans to
leave Holland, trying to get to
trigland before the Nazis came.
was working in Amsterdam
—carving, painting, putting ships
Into bottles , altogether doing'
a fine trade with holiday tour-
ists, I lost everything when I
came to Englancl." He paused
and looked at the glowing bowl
of his pipe.
"If I had Spent my life dream ,
ing of fortune — striving for
Wealth. or Merely hoping for it
—What would have happened to
me when the invasion came/
Like so many others. I would
have felt that I had log all, and
the spirit to shrug off the clieaSe
tee would have been lacking,
But I had Stored within Me it
treasure no Wealth earl eqttrete
still had any skill, wherever fate
drove me—end the calmness of
spirit to begin afresh in a iiew
coutitry,"
"Are you trying to tell me that
every Dutchman who amassed a
fortune lost all, then, and hadn't
the moral courage to bear the
loss?"
Jan smiled. "You are critical,
I fear. Perhaps not all, but cer-
tainly many of old Amsterdam's
rich diamond merchants lost ev-
erything, Some could not find
the courage to go on living. .
Charles lit a cigarette. "Our
argument seems to be getting
nowhere. Jan," He sat with his
broad shoulders hunched, his
blue eyes solemn, brooding. "I
oan appreciate your ideas and
admire your craftsmanship , and
spirit, but aren't you being a
little unkind? What can be
wrong with a man wanting to
strike it rich—especially in a
case like mine? You know well
enough why I want the money."
Jan nodded, his great affection
for Charles showing in his eyes,
"Forgive me for beating my fa-
vourite drum, Charles. Indeed,
yours is a worthy reason for
wanting wealth. A nd who
knows? One day, perhaps, your
ship will come in."
"Then you will advise me,
Jan?" Charle's eyes clouded a
little, e$ doubt assailed him
anew, "Would I be justified in
marrying a rich girl---to fulfil
my one ambition and run my
own home for poor and aged sick
people?"
Jan considered gravely. "It Is
a problem only you can solve,
my friend. You do not love this
girl? No, About this, you are
honest. And what of her ideas
about your future? Will she
readily join you in this worthy
cause? Will she be ready to
sacrifice not only her money but
much of your company?"
Charles frowned. "At the mo-
ment Sandra pictures me in a
lucrative Harley Street practice
—but I think she would came
round to my way of thinking in
time."
Jan. nodded, "On the one
hand, you express sentiments of
the highest order in your desire
=to help the less fortunate. On
the other, you callously declare
that in order to achieve your
ambition you are ready to marry
someone for whom you have no
love."
Charles flushed, Jan continued.
"And what of Annette? There
has been no mention of her,"
Charles stood up, gesturing ir-
ritably. "There is no understand-
ing of any sort--"
Jan gazed unfalteringly at
Charles, "We both know that she
adores you—"
"But what is more important?
My own life—and Annette's? Or
the well-being of thousands of
needy sick?" He swung around,
his face animated, "If I marry
Annette—I shall be doomed to
be just 'another doctor for the
rest of my days. I'll never fulfil
my great ambition, , , ."
Jan stood up, remained mo-
tionless for several seconds, then
walked over to his bench.
Charles stood undecided, Then
he blurted.: "Why don't you say
what you're thinking? Why
don't you tell me I'm living in
the clouds? That's what you
think, isn't it?"
Jan continued working. Quiet-
ly he replied: "My young friend,
what I think is of no importance.
Nor, in the end, is what you
think now. What is important is
that you make the right deci-
sion,"
Charles left without answer-
i ng.
The news oa Jan's sudden
death reached Charles a month
later. He was stricken with re-
morse that he had not found
time to visit his old friend, With
a heavy heart and nagging con-
science, Charles moved aimless-
ly about his flat,, scarcely able to
credit the numbing truth that
Jan was dead.
From his mantelpiece he pick-
ed up a finely made model of a
ship inside a bottle. Absently, in
his grief, he caressed. the smooth
glass. It had been Jan's first and
only gift—made with all the lov-
ing patience of the craftsman.
"If only I had found time to
see him—to give him the joy of
knowing that his wisdom had
prevailed," Charles muttered to
himself. "He would have died a
happier man had. he known that
Annette and I are to marry."
Annette arrived within half an
hour of the news of. Jan's death.
She consoled. Charles gently,
fully understanding the bond
that had existed between the two
men,
"Try not to feel so badly, darl-
ing. I'm sure Jan understood..."
Charles held un the little bot-
tled ship, "I hope so . . I hope
so!" he said fervently.
Annette opened her handbag
'17-",71 •
and gave him, a sealed letter, .Be
stared. The letter was Address,.
to him in Jan's fine hanOwriting,.
"He told me to give this to,
you on his death," Annette said
softly, "if we were together."
"If we were tegether?"
• She returned his ,gaze trarthly
made it .a soleMn condition
that I was only to give this, lettee
youto if YPP. had asked me to.
marry you,"
Charles opened the letter end
seed:
"My .yenne friend, if. you ever
read this, you will realize that
your ship has some in--at last
The ship inside the bottle you
have holds a secret I never div,
.elged. It was specially made by
me at the time of the German
Invasion of Holland,
"Under the plastee sea inside
the bottle I hid diamonds worth
a small fortune. They belonged
to a rich merchant for whom I
had done work, I smuggled them,
to England,
"Unfortunately my client .died
before he had a chance to re-
claim the diamonds, Under an
agreement they became my prop-
erty.
"Take them, my young friend
—for if you read this, then you
have done the right thing. Now
you will be able to fulfil your
life's ambition. I think you will
find the stones will more than
pay for the home you want,
Jan."
Charles handed the letter to
Annette and, his eyes moist with
• emotion, he gripped the bottle
hard, staring at the little ship
inside."--From "Tit-Bits,"
A Hollywood film star had had
five wives, each of whom had
promptly divorced him, He was
now declaring his love to the
prospective sixth.
"But I've heard some queer
stories about you," said the girl.
"Don't worry about that," re-
plied the star, "They're only old
wives' tales."
Q. How can I improve the or-
dinary method of baking apples?
A. Fill the apples with nuts,
cinnamon, and sugar. They are
delicious when baked with this
filling and afford variety.
Western Canada
Has Own "Monster"
The people of, Kalnloops. 5rit-
ig5rhatuCraltuetTbona' ec
are
tSlotairitiate ‘110;
Sasguatoll (fierce-eyed, 8 feet
at a
fine,
fur-covered)
full-gr own
v eed)
.monster.
7:
meet the requirements for Meal-,
bership in that tight little fra,
ternity of the Abominable Sno*t
man, the Loch Ness beastie, arc
al, It certainly won't hurt the
tourist business in Kamloops,
There was, moreover, a touch
of genius in the revelation of,
the Sasquatch, The Indian leg,
end was an old one but who ever
heard of lt? So, on a dark eight,
it was told to the queen of Eng-
land while the royal couple wee
staying at a fishing lodge,
By contrast, the Abominable
Snowman was first reported by
natives of the Himalayas and
then by a British colonel, That
was In 1889 and some said the
colonel had better go back to
tea.
The Loch Ness newt was born
when the mayor of Drumnad.
sochit arrived late at a council
meeting, disheveled and with a
wild tale. By coincidence, this
was the meeting at which tho
village fathers had been discus-
sing the faltering tourist busi-
ness. More recently, however, an.
Italian newsman has said he in-
vented Nessie on a quiet after-
noon when he had no news.
At any rate, Sasquatch bursts
on the monster world under good
auspices. And the Western na-
tions could use a few monsters
of their own now that the Abom-
inable Snowman appears to have
gone behind the bamboo cur-
tain. There hasn't been a good,
American-type monster since
Big Jess appeared at Alkali
Lake, Neb., back in the 20s,
Jess spent the summer there but
finally gave up and swallowed
himself in disgust because peo-
ple laughed. It's been a long time
between monsters. — Kansas
City (Moe Star
Obey the traffic signs — they
are placed there for YOUrt
SAFETY,
;TOUGH LUCK FOR A VACATION — President Eisenhower she
in his rain-splattered car and seems bewildered at the miserable
weather which greeted him at Augusta, Ga, His son, John, is
beside him, The President had planned to relax In the sun-
shine and play some golf, but rain was forecast in the Augusta
area for two days.
HONoRitill MARS -Aet Seavidertialet aciltttate flogs lowered to half-staff around the base of the :WicOitigt,O,rt MattUnieilt, tan
• tubule to the late General of the Goat ee C, Marehdil, The dOrrie the Capitol is in the back4roundi