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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1956-10-18, Page 7Courtroom Comedy "If you want sensation and drama look to the Old Bailey. But if you want human comedy, look to the little local courts." Fifty years have passed since a lawyer wrote those words, but they are just as true today. Especially were they true in a London court the other day when a magistrate asked a wife why her husband refused to attend to answer a charge. "Because," she explained, "he (Rays all you do here is talk, talk, talk." And there is the case of the County Mayo labourer who found a novel way of paying a £5 fine for poaching. He ask- ed the magistrate if he could pay in goods as he never had money. hTe magistrate agreed; and next day the labourer delivered twenty poached pheasants to the court as his fine. One of the funniest court Incidents occurred many years ago. A motor cyclist had been summonsed because his motor- cycle combination was too noisy and disturbed the peace. So he wheeled the combination the fast few hundred yards to the court, then asked the 'magis- trate if he had .heard him ar- rive. The magistrate said he- had not and dismissed the charge; the man left, but a minute later there came an infernal racket outside. The magistrate yelled: "Bring that man back!" But nobody moved from the court. The noise of the starting cycle was so deafening that nobody could catch the magistrate's words! A few days later the mag- istrate had occasion to shout again. A grocer appeared be- fore him on black market charges, and asked if he might whisper to the bench on a very personal matter. The magistrate agreed, bent forward, and the grocer whis- pered in his ear. Then the magistrate's f ace crimsoned. and he yelled: "No! I don't want five pounds worth of black market butter. Pay a hundred pounds for trying to bribe the court!" Magistrates and judges are always willing to help those who appear before them. A South African judge told a Negro charged with stealing that he could be tried by the judge or, if he wished, by a jury of his peers. "Peers?" queried the Negro. "Peers," the judge explained, "are your equals. Men from your own walk of life." "You try me, judge," the Negro blurted out. "I don't want to be tried by no thieves!" A judge in Chicago asked a slow-witted hoodlum last year why he had stolen half a million in bonds. The hoodlum thought a moment, then, "Why, because I was hungry, judge," he smiled. A Texas mother refused at Houston to pay her doctor's bill after her son had had measles. Asked to explain, she told the court: "My son had measles first and passed it to all the kid in the district. The doctor made a fortune out fo it. Since my boy started it, I think the doc owes ore a few thousand dollars by way of a commission." FOR THE BIRDS—That's what many homemakers in Ham Common, England, seem to think of this statue. ,Called "Home Making," it represents a woman examining a bird's nest and is the work of modernist Keith Godwin. On the grounds of a new apartment project, it's being viewed skeptically by Mrs. June Rossdale and son, James, 3. WORLD'S OLDEST LIVING MAN?—Javier Pereira is reputedly the world's oldest man—at the tender age of 167. The wrink- led, pint sized South American Indian from Bogota, Colombia, stands four feet four inches tall and weights 75 pounds. He was flown from Barranquilla, Colombia, to the United States for an intensive scientific study on his condition at th•e Cornell Medical Center, Ithaca, N.Y. Above, Javier, who may have been born in 1789, calmly eats an ice cream cone in Miami, Fla., first stop on his trip to Cornell. Just By Way Of Breaking The Ice A Complete Story by JOHN JOHNS She was definitely worth a whistle. And Dick was in mid - whistle when his legs gave up the unequal struggle against gravity and he sat on the ice- drome rink so hard that glasses bounced in the bar fifty feet away. Not that that worried him un- duly. In the three weeks since he had begun to learn to skate he had accepted the fact that life's downs are more frequent than its ups. What really upset him, I could see, was her laugh as she swept by on the arm of a burly ice -hockey player. I leaned over the rinkside bar- rier and pulled him to his feet. "Friend," I said, "keep your mind on your work." - He stared after her with an expression whcih in anyone else would indicate acute indigestion, but in his case is simply wistful- ness. "A lovely girl like that with a moron like that," he groaned. "There's no justice." "Is that charitable?" I said. `"He's probably kind to children and makes handsome contribu- tions to the ice -hockey players' benevolent league. And anyway — some fo my best friends are morons." He ignored me. Clutching the barrier, he hobbled off the ice and sat staring hungrily as she circled the "rink. "I'm going to learn to skate," he said, "if it kills me." "I like you better alive," I said. "Come and have a pint to reduce your blood pressure. There are as good fish aif the ice as on it." But he wouldn't move. There he sat, watching her for another hour, and there I sat with him, shivering. Finally, to my relief, the ice was cleared as the last session ended, and Dick went to change. As I waited for him by the door, she strolled past on the arm of her hockey player, and I had to admit that she was what certain citizens might term a lush thrush. Dick emerged from the chang- ing room, and we walked out into the street. "How about that pint?" I asked. He grunted. His mind was on other things. "Lovely night," I said. He grunted again, and nearly walked into a lamp post. "The moon's bright green," I said. He didn't even bother to grunt. ''Her 'dame's Sadie," I said. He stopped dead. "How d'you know ?" "I heard that hockeyplayer talking to her while you were changing.", He frowned. "Oaf!" "Look," I said, 'let's not get personal." "Him, I mean," said Dick. "That muscle - bound hockey player." He crushed an . inof- fensive matchbox with his heel. Then: "How long does it take to become an expert skater?" "Years." He thought for a moment. "But if one spent all one's spare time, every day, practising..." "Don't be a mutt," I said. "If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, then it's a waste of time. B,y •the time you can do a figure four, even, she'll be a veteran member of the House- wives' League." "Oh, shut up," he snarled, and mumbling something about hav- ing to get home, heran for n bus. It was the wrong one, but he was too dazed to notice. I had my pint alone, reflecting mournfully that I wasn't going to see much of him for quite a while. Me, I'm a non -skater. I don't mind sitting by the rink now and again and watching, but enough's enough. Not for Dick, though. Other men might scale mountains or slay dragons for their' beloved, but he—since the nearest moun- tain was 200 miles away and there was a chronic dragon sortage in 'London—was deter- mined to skate into her heart, once he was able to conquer a tendency to skate into more Solid objects. A couple of weeks later I vis- ited the rink again. Fond though I was of Dick, it was obvious that. skates and he hadn't much in common. "How's the affair?" I asked, as he staggered off the rink and collapsed into the seat beside me, thankfully unlacing his boots. . "Affair, my aching foot," he said bitterly. "I can't get near her when she's on the ice,- and when she's off it there's always a brace of those barrel-chested hockey players round her." "Why don't you 'try an in- structor?" "I have. -He resigned after one session. He said he wasn't in- sured." Dick sighed miserably. I decided there was nothing for it; somehow he would have to meet-Sadie—forcibly, if need be. I couldn't stand by and watch a friend pine away. "Look," I said, "of you were over there in the centre of the rink, face to face with her, could you do your stuff?" He cocked an eyebrow. "If you mean could I make a date— I could have a darned good try." "Well, then. Suppose you stand with your back to the barrier and aim yourself at Sadie. Sup- pose I give you a shove. You glide gracefully towards her, bump against her in passing, and stop to apologize. A few well- chosen words; and the rest fol- lows as night follows day. More. or less." He thought for a moment. 'How do I get back from the centre of the rink? Ask her to push ane like a wheelbarrow?" "You can worry about that once you get there. And you won't get there under your own steam for a long, long time." He hesitated. "Well. " Just then Sadie glided past, smiling at a tall youth in a red sweater beside her. Dick glared.. "O.K. What have I got to lose?" "That's the stuff," I said. "All we have to do is wait till she's in the centre_bf the rink, and then—hey presto!" We waited, Dick standing on the ice, arid I with .my .hands on his shoulders. The crucial mo- ment came when Sadie was alone in the centre of the rink, admir- ingly watching the antics of the red-sweatered youth. "Contact!" I said. "Contact!" I took careful aim and pushed. Dick lurched, recovered his_ balance,. and catapulted away across the ice. My aim had been. perfect. No bee could have made a •straighter line than the one he made for Sadie. Gentle bumps and well-chosen words were obviously out of the ques- tion. I just had time to shout 'fore" before he struck her squarely amidships. Frantically clutching at each other, they skidded across the rink and crashed into the barrier. Sadie was well and truly in Dick's arms. That happy state of affairs lasted just ten seconds --the time it took her to recover from the shook, flex her right arm, and give Dick a slap in the face that echoed round the icedrome. Five minutes later he walked —or rather I helped him—out of the rink for the last time. Oddly enough, he seemed hap- pier than he had been for weeks. "I," he said, "have been an idiot. I can't think how on earth I fell' for that bad-tempered wench." He smiled broadly. "Come on, let's have a pint to celebrate my return to dry land," I smiled, too. For a moment, back there on the rink, I had been afraid I hadn't pushed hard enough. From "Tit -Bits" How Can 1? Q, How cast I mend n leak in the umbrella? A. First cut a, piece of mend- ing tissue a little larger than the hole. Then cut a piece of silk or cambric a little larger than the piece of tissue. Place tissue over the hole on under side of cover. Then place the silk or cambric. over the tissue, tucking the edge under the tissue. Place a wet cloth over all and press with a hot iron. Q. Bow can I make a good so- lution to keep on hand for re- moving grease spots from wool- len goods? A. Put 1 ounce of pulverized borax in 1 quart of boiling wa- ter. Bottle and keep in a conven- ient place for use when needed. Q. How can 1 prevent worn faucet threads? A. Be careful when scouring the faucets to clean away all scouring grit from the joints, or it will work into the threads and soon wear them. Q. How can I make boys' pants wear longer? A. When making pants for the boys, by cutting the backs of the pants double. When a hole appears, turn in the worn edges and hem down to the under goods. The '.two pieces will be faded alike. '.• Q. How can I prevent new shoes from hurting at the heel? A. Rub the inside of the heel with hard soap before putting on. Try fastening cross strips of court plaster to your heel The plaster will take the rub. Q. How can I clean the soiled edges of books? A. Close the book tightly and ..erase the soiled marks with an ink eraser. Do not use this meth- od if the books are gilt edged. Q. How can I prevent waste when melting chocolate? A. Much of the chocolate is wasted because it sticks to the sides and bottom of the con- tainer. This can be prevented by greasing the pan thoroughly be- fore putting in the chocolate. Q. How can I eliminate a ring or a stain on goods that has been left after using a cleaning fluid? A. First allow the spot to dry; then hold it over a steaming ket- tle until it disappears. Q. .How can I keep brown sugar soft? A. Keep the ' brown sugar in an open jar in the icebox and it will remain soft. This keeps it from becoming' lumpy. Q. How can I repair the lid of a cooking vessel when the knob has come off? A. Slip a screw through the hole in the lid, with the head on the inside of the lid, and screw a cork on the protruding end. This knob will not get hot and can be renewed when worn or soiled. 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And it's the pullets now that catch the good Grade A Large markets in '57. Hatching weekly. Order in ad- vance if possible, but ask for list of chicks on hand. Bray Hatchery, 120 John N., Hamilton. STARTED chick bargains, two, three and four week old. Non sexed, pullets, cockerels, immediate delivery, all popu- lar breeds. Also booking orders now for fall and winter delivery. Special egg breeds dual purpose breeds, Broilers, first generation Indian River cross (Lancaster x Nichols. No. 12 pullet) Arbor Acre white rock. Turkey poults. Broad breasted bronze, large white, A.O. Smith Broad white, Beltsville. Five to six weeks old heavy breed cockerels. Special price while they last. Assorted breeds $14.95 per hundred. Catalogue. TWEDDLE :CHICK HATCHERIES LTD. FERGUS ONTARIO FOR SALE FOR SALE — ENTIRE BEEF HERD — Cows and Calves. Apply P.O. Box 127. Brantford, Ontario. NEW guns and rifles at wholesale prices; write for our wholesale prices before buying. Trans -Canada Whole- sale Co., Box 852, Ottawa, Ont. HELP WANTED OVERSEAS job opportunities. Survey lists all major companies hiring; how and where to apply. Only $1. Satisfac- tion guaranteed. Rathe Research, Box 26131, Los Angeles 26, California. MEDIc4t PROVEN REMEDY — Every sufferer of Rheumatic Pains or Neuritis should try DIXON'S REMEDY. MUNRO'S .DRUG STORE, 335 Elgin Ottawa $1.25 Express Prepaid POST'S ECZEMA SALVE BANISH the torment of dry eczema rashes and weeping skin troubles. Post's Eczema Salve will not disap- point you. Itching, scaling and burn- ing eczema; acne, ringworm, pimples and foot eczema will respond readily to the stainless, odorless ointment re- gardless of how stubborn or hopeless they seem. Sent Post Free on Receipt of Price PRICE $2.50 PER JAR POST'S REMEDIES 2865 St. Clair Avenue East. TORONTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN BOYS ! Girls' Get Samples. Christmas Cards, Stationery, Novelties, etc., now 1 R. H. James R.R.3, Metcalfe, Ontario. OPPORTUNITIES MEN and WOMEN TELEGRAPHERS wanted. We train and secure position, Plan a future. STENOGRAPHERS wanted, Ten weeks home course qualifies with ABC Sys- tem. Free folder either course. Cassan Systems, 7 Superior Ave., Toronto. MERRY MENAGERIE P , J'__ ;_ il! t .. 10.11 ElIcTP1IltY 4 444. "Poor guy — fell into a cup of black coffee -- and he always takes it with cream and sugar!" AMEN AND IWUMEU SELL "IVferlite" fire alarms Operates on flashlight batteries. Neat, compact, Test seller, Every home a prospect. Gond commissions, Particulars: Box $3, Bishop Falls, Newfoundland. BE A HAIRDRESSER JOIN CANADA'S LEADING SCHOOL Great Opportunity Learn Hairdressing Pleasant dignified profession; good wages. Thousands of successful Marvel graduates. America's Greatest System Illustrated Catalog Free Write or Gail MARVEL HAIRDRESSING SCHOOLS 358 Bloor St. W., Deranto Branches: 44 King St., Hamilton 72 Rideau St., Ottawa PATENTS THE RA1V1SAY COMPANY. 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FERGUS LANDItACE SWINE FARM FERGUS ONTARIO WANTED WANTED to buy Hay Apply P.O. Box 127, Brantford. Ontario. ISSUE 42 — 1956 GOLDMINE CATALOGI SAVINGS to 85% ! Empire Automatic Electric Skillet, advertised in Life, $39.955. Swiss -style camp, hunting $ngknife; 311.95. 10 7.implements y -. $3.95. Name Brand Appliances, house- wares, toys, televisions, power tools, sport equipment, garden supplies, jewelry, giftware, etc. Unbelievable Savings ! Make this amazing Catalog your department store ! Save gas ! Time ! Traffic, parking headaches t Save Hundreds - especially this Cheist- mas! Earn hundreds of dollars, selling to others! $1.00 refundable. CARCION — XI 8970 Newport Fontana, California. i TEAT eco CUNARDERS! The new "CARINTHIA" and "IVERNIA" with their sister ship, "SAXONIA", provide fast and regular sailings to England, Scotland and France. Fourth of the brilliant quartet of 22,000 -ton vessels especially built for the Canadian service, the new "SYLVANIA".. will make her maiden voyage to Montreal in June, 1957. Also in service—the popular "SCYTHIA" and "ASCANIA". TRAVEL NOW AT LOW THRIFT SEASON RATES! FROM MONTREAL ASCANIA ... Oct. 10, Nov. 7 to Le Havre, Southampton. IVERNIA ... Oct. 12, Nov. 2* to Liverpool; *calls at Greenock Nov. 24 to Le Havre, Southampton. CARINTHIA . , Oct. 19*, Nov. 9, Nov. 29* to Liverpool. *calls at Greenock SCYTHIA . Oct. 24, Nov. 17 to Le Havre, Southampton. (from Quebec) SAXONIA ... Oct. 26, Nov. 16* to Liverpool. *calls a1 Greenock See your Local Agent— No one can serve you better GUnard Cotner Bay !, Wellington Sts., Toronto, Ont. 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