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The Huron Expositor, 1953-01-16, Page 2r, a3 x /If Editor ed at Seaforth, Ontario, ev- ay afternoon by McLean - r of Canadian �QQ��y(��p����gqy� Newspapers ..`p�l.�.isoetation. abscription rates, $2.50 a year in *ince; foreign $3.50 a year. Single copies, 5 cents each. Advertising rates on application. PHONE 41 Antlierized as Second Class Mail Pott Office Department, Ottawa SEAFORTH, Friday, January 16 - Readers Are Shy The Acton Free Press thinks there are too many shy people in the com- munity it serves. Explaining its problem, which incidentally, is a `familiar one l"l this district, it says: "Every week when the paper hits -the street a number of readers sidle alp to the editor or other members of the staff and express a few different views pro and con on various su'b- jects. The trouble .is they fail to sit down and pen a letter to the news- paper where other readers may have the benefit of their views. "Many of our friends in this com- munity have exceptional stores of knowledge on certain subjects which would be highly educational and in- formative to others. Their sugges- tions and advice would be of great benefit and mock modesty should not prevent publication. "In our view a newspaper is a truly community affair. The more people who participate actively in the dis- semination of news and views, the greater the service to the commun- ity. Our letters to the editor column aeould be akin to a forum for an ex- change of ideas and thoughts and we invite our readers to take wide ad- vantage of its facilities. We welcome discussion of public affairs and es- pecially when they are concise and v=ied on topics of general interest," We of The Huron Expositor re- peat to our readers the invitation which the Acton Free Press extends. Our,columns are always available for the discussion of problems of cam bion interest. • Changing History Russian history as it is written to- day bears little resemblance to fact. One of the basic communistic princi- pals is that it is quite proper to change in any way historical facts as long as the new version will assist the state in continuing to impose its will on its citizens. Thus the 1945 edition of the auth- orized "History of the U.S.S.R." quotes Stalin on the Normandy land- ing: "A brilliant achievement . . The history of war knows no other enter- prise like it for breadth of purpose, grandiose skill, and masterful execu- tion." A year later the new edition had reduced this to: 'On June 6, 1944, Allied forces ac- complished a landing in Northern France." The latest approved history text, that of textbook prize-winner Shes- takov (1951), puts it like this: "England and the United States, in the course -of three years of war, dragged out in every way the open- ing of a second front . •.. But when after the gigantic victories of the Soviet Army, it became clear that the Soviet Union might alone defeat the enemy, occupy the territory of Ger- #siany and liberate all Western Eur - including France . •-in June, l4, the. English and American arm - left England and landed on the t of Northern France." • 'After that it is an easy transition d '`Rate •America" campaign. reee • rservation to ie 'nit ,to which some people to••acknowledge the, need for �atroi i of'':r+ Sources is a matter i 2�1 iC :according to the Writer Monthly Letter. ;t, • attuned . to the +ape' ceS—all the West to fill --Canada the granary of the world -,--and allthat," according to the writer, who gees on to suggest that "their sort of thinking marches alongside the old idea that man's chief end is to conquer nature. To- day, we realize as never before that man can only remain top of creation by working with nature. "The fact that agricultural soil re- sources in the world are limited makes it necessary to use and con- serve them to our best ability. Dr. E. S. Archibald, director of the Ex- perimentaI Farms Service at Ottawa, and now an executive in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, estimated in 1949 that we have- only two acres to sup- port each person in the world. "That is not much soil to supply all our food needs, but when proper de- velopment and conservation are used we can make it do. This is why fann- ers are introducing new practices, and learning to use technology and science. "Conservation may be embraced as a way of life, designed• to promote better and more enduring values for the human race. The human element is the very foundation of every con- servation program, as well as being the reason for it. There is _no need for hysteria. about conservation. While accom- plishments up to now in relation to need;give no cause for complacency, the great strides that have been made in research in a few years are truly impressive. The work looks small against the backlog of .things undone. It lagged in its early days because of the too -great enthusiasm of its crus- ading supporters who killed public interest by their exaggerations. Now we are starting to catch up with the realities." What Other Papers Say: No Substitute For Butter (St. Thomas Times 'Journal) There's one fine old Scotch lady who agrees with Frank H. Silcox, of Iona, that the days of the cow, as a milk producer, are not numbered. We met her in a grocery store the other day. She was buying a pound of butter. When we expressed sur- prise that a woman of her nationality should be purchasing butter instead of the lower-priced margarine, she explained "Aye, margarine's a' richt for spreadin' on the guid man's oat cakes or drappin' on yer tattier. But ye' canna mak' shortbread — the kind that melts on yer tongue—without butter. An' it's got to be butter that comes frae a coo's milk, nae frae a vegetable or a lump o' fat." And those who are fortunate en- ough to bite into those shortbread cakes that so many Scotch ladies and those who have learned to bake them the Scotch way pass out to their guests at this time of year, will be inclined to shake their heads at pre- dictions of the dairy cow's elimina- tion. • The Higher Call (London Free Press) IIespite East-West tensions and the multitudinous differences by which the nations are riven there is one band of brothers whose inviolate law remains and is ever observed— the men of the sea. A German freighter missing off the coast of Ireland is sought by R.A.F. planes; a Canadian tanker off the west coast is aided by U.S. Coast Guard services; a French trawler saves the crew of a Dutch coaster, a Canadian tug throws a line aboard an Italian vessel: On the Atlantic and the Pacific diabled ships call for help. And so it goes. Ever the eternal law; a vessel in peril must be helped. Wars come and go but the sea routes remain as the great and dangerous channels of trade, and sailorrn n ful- fill their sacrIfca1 law which over- rides nations and creeds and races and applies to all who the sea; Senn it the COun P'- err Dungannon Girl Breaks Arm Miss Elizabeth McMahan had the misfortune to break her arm at her wrist, but did not know it was brok- en until about 12 days later, when she had a medical examination. She then had to have it rebroken and set again.--Goderich Signal -Star. Hen Doubles Production • A hen, owned by Gerald Wurm, Exeter North, started the New Year off by doubling production -- the hard way. The cackler laid a huge egg measuring nine and a half inches the long way around and seven and one-quarter around the middle. Inside the big shell was a yolk and albumen and a fully -ma- tured egg. Exeter Times -Advocate. Filling In At Ends Of Bridge Workmen are still busy at the new Main St. bridge spanning the Thames and this week have been removing the debris beneath the. bridge and filling in at the two ends. It may be that before too many days have elapsed, West Warders will be able to reach town directly again, in place of using the 'long -way -around" detour. — Mit- chell Advocate. Seed Fair Dates Announced Huron County Soil and Crop bm- provemept Association met in the Agricultural Office Board Room on Tuesday afternoon, January 6. The annual seed fair will be held in Clinton District Collegiate Institute on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7. The program is planned similar to that of last year, and the subject of the panel discussion will be along conservation tines.— Clinton News -Record. Officially Open Arena Official opening of Exeter Mem- orial Arena will be held Thursday, January 22, board chairman Ed. Brady announced last week. Al- though the program has not been completed, preliminary plans call for a hockey match between Elmira Polar Kings, Last year's Intermedi- ate "B" O.H.A- champions, and an all-star Cyclone team; figure skat- ing exhibition, special music and official opening ceremonies.—Exe- ter Times -Advocate. Bride -Elect Honored Recently a number of friends gathered at the home of Mrs. Frank McCutcheon, to honor Miss Marie Storey on her coming marriage. The bride -elect was taken com- pletely by surprise when she en- tered the room which was decorat- ed in pink and white streamers. During the reading of the address by Mary Lou McFarlane, Joan Ste. Marie and Madalon Ryan present- ed her with a basket of lovely and useful gifts. After displaying her gifts, Marie expressed her sincere thanks to everyone for their thoughtfulness. A delicious lunch was served by the hostess.—Brus- sels Post. School Board Adds Teacher Mrs. Lois Porterfield, Exeter, has been engaged by the public school board to teach a straight second grade to relieve the overcrowded class rooms. Mrs. Porterfield form- erly taught in L'sborne . township and is known to the public school pupils through her work with the Saturday morning puppe-t classes last winter. The last available room which was formerly a music room, will now 'be used by Mrs. Dorothy Hughson and her fourth grade pupils. Each of the junior grades averaged 40 pupils, They have been regrouped according to ability so as 'to cause the least possible up- set, -No teacher now has less than I !10 pupils and some still havemore than 40, Mrs. Helen Eermyn, as-, sistant principal, stated. — Exeter Times -Advocate. Family Lose Home in Fire A Dutch immigrant family of 10 was left homeless recently when fire razed their term home on the fourth concession east of Huron township, between Lucknow and Ripley. Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Deyong and their children, five girls and three boys, ranging in age from two months to 17 years, escaped without injury. The blaze broke out in the upstairs partitions dur- ing the afternoon, sours after a chimney fire had apparently been put out with the aid of neighbors. T,he Ripley fire department, under Chief Gordon Scott, fought the fire all afternoon to no avail. House- hold contents were removed safely, but damage to the house amounted to several thousand dollars. The house is on the property of Richard and Austin Martin. The Deyong family emigrated from Holland about a year ago, and .had been living in the home since last March. --IGoderich Signal -Star. Takes Over As Clinton's Clerk I. Douglas Holland, Goderich, took full charge of his duties as clerk and treasurer of the Town of Clinton on Januar2. Since he has been working along with the retired clerk, M. T. Corless, since the 16th 'pa October, .he is, howev- er, quite well conversant with these duties. Although he and his wife, with their daughter, Lynda Caro- lyn, live in Goderich, the new clerk is no stranger to Clinton. He was born here in 1926, the son of Mr. and tiers. Clifford Holland (nee Leo- na Nediger). Six years Iater (with- out consulting him), Mr. and. Mrs: Holland moved to Goderich, taking their son with them. After receiv- ing primary and secondary educa- tion in the schools at Goderieh, the young Mr. Holland ended a hitch- hiking tour through Canada and the United States by enrolling at Alma College, Alma, Mich. He completed a four-year course in chemistry, majoring in economics and mathe- matics, and graduated in 1948 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. —Clinton News -Record. Observe 40th Anniversary Following a bounteous turkey dinner served at Fuller's Grove, Sebringvlle, on December 31, dur- ing which their family and grand- children joined them in marking their fortieth wedding anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Jordan, Mit- chell, were at home to many rela- tives and friends. who called to ex- tend good wishes.' Beautiful gifts, cards and dowers also marked the happy event for which the 'house was decorated with yellow and white chrysanthemums and pine branches. Bringing happiness to the Jordan home through the years were their two sons, Ted, Ottawa, and -Robert, Kitchener; five- daugh- ters, Mrs. Lorne (Olive) Jackson, Fu1lafton township; Mrs, William (Ellenor) Smith, Ferndale, Mich,; Mrs. Leo (Norma.) Gryba, Exeter; Miss Lois Jordan and Miss Audrey Jordan, at home; and four grand- children, all of whom were pres- ent. Mrs. Jordan was the former Margaret Fuller, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs. Edward Fuller, Logan township, at whose house the wedding was solemnized on December 31, 1912. Mr. Jordan is a son of the .late Mr- and Mrs. Joseph Jordan, of Carlingford. For the past 35 years they have been highly esteemed residents of Mit- chell and faithful members and workers in Main Street United Church.- iMitcbell Advocate. Knowing %Needs Helps In Eliminating Thcin To paraphrase a line from an old song, "where do weeds go in the winter time?" Some knowledge of weeds and their growing habits is of help in using suitable methods to exterminate them. Weeds are commonly classified as annuals, biennials and peren- nials, with winter annuals as a con- venient, though not very scientific further distinction. An annual weed may be a winter annual when it starts in the fall and is fortun- ate in its location or int mild sea- son; or it may bea winter annual because it is growing sufficiently far south to survive the somewhat rigorous winter on most of the North American continent, An an- nual is a treed that germinates in the spring or early summer, grows and reproduces before winter, dy- ing naturally when caught by autumn frosts. Its progeny. the seed. is safely tucked away within seed coats capable of withstand- ing winter's adversities. The im- portance of the seed is attested by its abundance, as compared with- other ithother weeds. If the seed can be in- duced to germinate before -winter, or of it can be, started earl yen- ough in the spring. either frost or the preparation for spring sown crops will destroy it while young. Biennial weeds usually start growth early enough in. the sum- mer to provide themselves with a stout tap root, and a strong rosette 6f leaves lying on the ground to carry them through the winter and furnish reserve food for the flower stem which is quickly pushed up in the second year. Abroad shear- ed cultivator is the best implement for eradicating them. Perennial 'Weeds, while reproduc- ing by seed, maintain theni.seives year to year by their strong root syethms, wtiieh may be crying, Jake those• of 'T*aadada o ereitrgial sow thistles, or short and fleshy as With dealt Sind i4140o12. No am 1 ple operation in fall or spring will suffice to exterminate the average perennial. Summer fallowing and cultivation are usually quite effec- tive. Enough should be known of the special life history of each weed to guide in, the proper methods of eradicating them. Give Your Calves a Break Antibiotics are not a substitute for good calf management. Recent work in raising calves has included many experiments in which anti- biotics were fed as a feeding sup- plement- Results to date have been somewhat conflicting. Some investigations show increased growth rates where antibiotics are fed, others do not. With greater gains there has generally been a reduced incidence of scouring. At the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, an antibiotic feed supplement containing aureomycin failed to produee any significant growth stimulus, says V. J. Miles, Animal Husbandry Division, Cen- tral Experimental Farm, This ex- periment was conducted under good management practices where the incidence of digestive disturb- ances was normally very slight. Correcting faulty husbandry can contribute .much more than. anti- biotics to the raising of thrifty' dairy calves. Simple management. procedures are frequentlit over- looked in the rearing of dairy calves. It has been the experience of workers at the Central Experi- mental Farm that when care and mahagement practices are given proper attention the incidence of common calf diseases is greatly re- duced. 1 actora to be considered ineltide:` disinfecting of can pens at regular interdais, supplying ,ade- gnate bedding, having calf .petie well ,ventilated and lighted, Wild" rd dtfi et Water elean ,h, � g teeth b to � 1 n con= Ott An.l f•:.. ., taitlei'd �. p +i gedin near ter dolt# JJ t f 1LLWW f,`>(ili1L'Ei;t'q � ,tr' zit 0; 6;t 11 An appetite small Will normally call For a smaller serving. Thus goodwill preserving. Dept. of National Health and Welfare Years. Agone Interesting Items Picked From The Huron Expositor of Twen- ty-five and Fifty Years Ago From The Huron Expositor Jknua y 20, 1928 Mrs. Mary Ann 'Merner, Zurich, who recently had the misfortune to fall aid fracture her hip, is ser- iously ill. Sae is now over 90 years of age and her advanced age is re- tarding the healing of the fracture. The many friends of Mr. Joseph McCully, Bruceleld, will regret to hear that he had the misfortune to fall and break his leg. Two rinks of Seaforth curlers were in Stratford Tuesday playing in the Ontario Tankard prelimin- aries, but lost out to Waterloo. The rinks were composed of G. Stew- art, R. McKenzie, G. Dick, T. John - sone, skip, and J. McKenzie, F. C-. Jackson, G. Bethune and R. J. Win- ter, skip. The many friends of Mr. W. R. Smillie are pleased to see him down town again after the serious operation he underwent in the To- ronto General Hospital some weeks ago. The annual meeting of the Sea - forth Agricultural Society was held in Carnegie Library Hall on Satur- day when the following officers and directors were elected for 1928: honorary presidents, Dr. F. S. Har- burn and Thomas Livingstone; first vice -•president, Wm. S. Broadfoot; second vice-president, Geo. R. Mc- Cartney; third vice-president, J. M• Eckert; secretary -treasurer, A. D. Sutherland; auditors, R. J. Beatty and Thomas Melady; directors: Hibbert, James Hill, Pat Maloney, Jr., MrS. J. Worden; Hullett, H. Snell, Wm. Mason, Ross MacGre- gor, Wm. Wright, Miss Matilda Fowler; McKillop, James Carlin, Wm. J. Beattie, H. Blanchard, Gor- don MeGavin, Mrs. Herald Lawr- ence; Tuckersmith, Peter Simpson, Ira S. Johns, Robt, Archibald, L. Finlayson, Mrs. Hugh McGregor; Seaforth, J. W. Beattie, John. Mc- Intosh, Wm. Hartry, Mrs. J. B. Ty- erman, Miss Belle Smith, Miss Ev- elyn Harburn. Mr. J. J. McGavin shipped two carloads of stock from Walton sta- tion this week, The annual meeting of the share- holders of 'the Workman Hall, Wal- ton, was held Monday afternoon.. The officers for the year are as follows: presjdent, J. M. Goven- lock; vice-president, P. B. 'Gardin- er; secretary -treasurer, Miss Annie Ferguson. From The Huron Expositor -January 16, 1903 McEwan & Geiger, proprietors of the Seaforth Flax Mills, have had a new electric lighting plant in- stalled in their mills for the pur- pose of lighting the premises for the workmen. Mr, John Routledge, son of Mr. Charles Routledge, Tuckersmith, is here buying up several carloads of horses to take back with 'him to the Northwest. Harold, son of Mr.'and Mrs. J. H. Broadfoot, .left on Thursday for Liverpool, England,, and his friends are confident of his. success In that country. Mr. and Mrs. McFarlane, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Rife, Mr. Anderson, son of Mr. George Anderson, and John Hagan, son of Mr. John Hag- gan, Parr Line, Stanley, are all home from Dakota, visiting rela- tives and friends. Mr. W. A. Ross, Winthrop, bad a successful bee sawing wood on Fri- day, and/in thal evening treated the young people to a dance. The annual meeting of the Tuck- ersmith branch of the Agricultural Socf'4g, was held in the Commer- cial Hotel on Wednesday after- noon, The following officers were appointed: president, D. D. Wilson, Seaforth; vice-president, W. Ches- ney, Tuckersmith; directors, M. Broderick and G. M. Chesney, Sea - forth; J. F, Dale and Chas, McGre- gor, Hullett; James Carlin, J. M. Govenloek and James Evans, Mc- xillop; 'George Dale and William Black, Tuckersmith, ,T. E, Hays Was reappointed secretary -treasur- er. Mr. Thomas McAsh, the genial postmaster at Varna, has ;his new residence completed and moved in Monday last. The coal oil man who visits town once every` week, sells only, Aaneri- can oil now as Canadian nil as hard to get. Murdie Ross, Bayfield, was in town on Tuesday. He brought with him a supply of files fresh herring, which he disposed of to the` mertehants here, Mr. Rose ie' e of the Most nuocesgful fiaher- gnen and 1E404 gt dealer In soh in 6 dart bf the 'tionfntry, Mrs. Thorne was regarding him steadily. "What an observant man you are." Twenty minutes later the inspec- tor was still trying to make sense out of this by-play. He had insist- ed on -going into a convenient hos- Lelry "to steady himself down," as hotel and toms and" stay with one he put it. fora few days." •• trying "But he was not able to carry to tell her we were wise about the that into effect?" "Unfortunately, no" Mra. Roth+ erson dabbed her eyes disereetly with a tiny handkerchief; Her emo- tion was dot overdone and her dig- nity remained unimpaired. After a few •.more questions of douhtful relevancy the deputy -coroner a1 lowed her to stand' down. Other witnesses• described the scene In the Church Hall prior'to, during, and following the tragedy. Mrs. Thorpe was not called. That, to Mr. Morrison Sharpe, was, due to solie Maehiavellian motive of Inspector Matthews. Dr. Saunders gave the cause o! death as heart failure bellowing: an overdose of morphine. He ampli- fied with lengthy 'and gruesome• findings at the post-mortem exam- ination. The next surprise was providelf by a Mr. Walton Wailash, who spoke as to the analysis of the tablets found in the saccharine phial. Eighty-six of the pellets were what they purported.to.• be and one was an ordinary - soda- mint. But, in addition to these;. five more tablets had been taken from' a waistcoat pocket worn 'by the deceased_ , At this Mr. Sharpe did favor In- spector Matthews with a look of` pained reproval. It was the drab he had heard of this. "Two of these," explained the: expert,- "were hypodermic mor- phine. The _ other three were - harmless sweetening stibstance." "Presumably a lethal dose?" queried' the deputy coroner. The analyst thought not. "Half a grain is generally considered fatal," he observed. "These were only of one-sixth content," At this Mr. Trannaway grew res- tive. It was long past his normal tea=time and' they did not seem tom be getting anywhere. "I shall," he announced, "adjourn this inquest until today week. In the meantime it is to be hoped that the pollee will have completed certain lines of investigation which are neces- sary for the elucidation of .this mystery." CHAPTER VI Matthews came bustling across with an expression on his face ra-' ther like that a conjuror might wear when his favorite trick miss es fire. "Some unexpected evidence, eh?"' he observed, , "Quintuplets doing well," "What's that?" "Five more strange tablets, oidl' man. And you never even told'. your trusted collaborator." "You're not annoyed, are you?" "Not so badly as friend Tranna- way. He got right out of his stride, when that little item came out. What in the world made' you spring: it on us like that? No, don't tell me—it seemed a good ,idea at the time." "Rub it in, sir. I ought to be kicked. Somehow or other I expect- ed to enjoy the dramatic moment, and instead it went off like a damp squib, But I've had my lesson. In future we go fifty-fifty on all clues. My production of Mrs.'Rotherson was another foolish theatarical- stunt." "Not at all. You see I had been oing a little hit of lone sleuthing and made my call on the lady." "The devil you did." "My dear inspector, it was too obvious. If sherd got on to your °list you could hardly expect mine - to be that much incomplete." • "On the solar -plexus, sir, Well, I can take 'em," • "Good man. If you couldn't I should have no use for you. Now about the lady. What did you make of her?" , `County, Mr. Sharpe, The real thing," "Yes, yes, I know all about that. It didn't occur to you, I suppose. that she was on the defensive all the while?" "Heavens, no! Why should she be?" "That's what I'd.like to know." Matthews screwed•his face up in- to what he fondly imagined was an. expression of intense gk'avity. "Thinking of accusing her of the murder?" he asked, Mr. Sharpe started. "Now that," he replied, "is an idea that I hadn't. considered, Thank you for bring- Ing it forward," Oh, hargg! You never give a fel Iow a chance to pull your leg, "You said that" once before, In- spector•, Queer coincidence: It set us talking about Mrs, Thorne and her dancing career," Don't try and tell me that cid •Mrs. Rotherson used to be a hal- let girl in her younger days? That would be too much," "Nothing so spectacular t h 1 s time." Tell me! Guessing will take too long," Only a peculiar limp that put tied me somewhat," "What of it? These society folk go in for shooting and horse -riding: and that sort of thing. Some acci- dent in her more athletic days, or perhaps a touch of anheumatism as she gets older." "Then why make iahsong abbot M - it?" 'Because, my dear inspector, b have a habit of observing silly' lit- tle details. Nine times out of ten they don't mean a thing." "For once I'm unimpressed, but always open to conviction; Now if you'd care to reconstruct the whole story, including the episode of the unplug lady, it might be worth istening to." Instead. of accepting this a4 mild sareasm, Mr. Sharpe took it quite; seriottslq, "Not yet," he replied- (.Contlealed oa. s 7) we met and had a atery pleasant: chat about fan by concerns." "The, er, feud 'had been entirely forgotten?" ti'Quite1 As a polz ok, 3ntarget' I may mention that Martin had agreed to give ilp his rgoznn at.'bhe "Seemed as if you were tr ng poisoned sweets, he growled. "Merely a psychological teat," his companion explained. "Bosh!" "You're getting vulgar and Irris- ible. Didn't it strike you that Mrs. Thorne must have been a remark- ably good actress?" "What's that?" "No need for repetition. You heard. Fish that analytical report from your inside pocket and study it carefully. ' Matthews obeyed. "Gosh!" he breathed in sudden enlightenment. "I hadn't noticed that before. So all the strawberry creams were doped, and one row of nougat's" "Exactly." "Come along, we're wasting time. She poisoned him." "It was cyanide in the choco- lates. Rotherson met his death from an overdose of morphine," Mr. Sharpe pointed out $atientiy. "Well, what does that matter. If one attempt failed the other suc- ceeded usceeded all right." "Anyone would think that vic- ars' wives were - walking lethal chambers to hear you talk. Drink your beer quietly and try another think." "Nothing doing. My inclination is to rush straight off and get a mag- istrates' warrant." "D6h't rush in where angels fear to tread, old man." "Oh, hell! You're at it again. Give us a line on what sort of game you're playing in that chess- board of a mind." "I'll just put forward one idea which may be worthy of considera- tion. Suppose the vicar's wife had saved the life of the film star?" "Go on! Suppose she had. Only he's as dead as a door -nail," "Still she might have saved him," "But he's dead," "That's not the point," "Isn't it?" retorted the inspector irritably. "They're holding the in- quest today, anyhow. And that ought to be more amusing. than your beastly conundrums," The setting for the Coroner's in- quiry touching the death of Martin Rotherson, described, as a film ac- tor, was much like that of most in- quests. Owing to the illness of Dr. Ambrose, a very old man 'wise in the ways of sudden death, the Dep- uty Coroner presided. This Mr. Trannaway was a local Solicitor of some repute. Earlier in the case he had made up his mind dist "suicide" was the only possible verdict. When the police gave him additional evi- dence suggesting that this would be entirely inadequate he was momentarily annoyed. On Second thought he realized that the public- ity attendant on a more serious in- vestigation would intensify he limelight, and he rather fancied himself as a public figure. First of the witnesses was Mrs, Alma Rotherson, a surprise from the public point of view, Inspec- tor Matthews, who had kept her up his sleeve, stole a half sheepish look at Mr, Morrison Sharpe, who was sitting 'well . at the back, but that worthy remained blandly un- concerned, Mr. Trannaway treated the elder- ly lady with a certain amount of deference. "You have," he began, "seen the deceased and identified his body?" "Yes. Martin Rotherson was my nephew." "By marriage?" "Yes. My husband, Mr. Gerald Rotherson, was the elder brother of Martin Rotherson, senior, father of the victim of this unfortunate af- fair." . "Your brother-in-law emigrated to the United States of America, • I understand?" "He did. That would be in 1884," "We do not wish to revive un- pleasant events, madam, but per- haps It would further the purposes of 4his inquiry if you gave us more explicit de ls." Mrs. Rothe son did not appear to relish the wayhe examination was shaping but she told her story plainly and with natural dignity. Martin, it appeared, bad, c$ntracted a ,marriage which the family con- sidered unsuitable. As a result of his father's reception of the situa- tion he had cut himself entirely adrift and gone to live abroad, Two sons fled been born to the union: James Wilmot in 1898 and Martin in 1899. "And your sister-in-law?" "Died at the beginning of this century. Her husband did not long survive her. In the meantime my father-in-law had also passed away and also I was left a widow." "'Penhaps you can tell us of the early life of the two Sons of Martin Rotherson, senior?" "That, sir, is rather a sore point. There was a rather vengeful will which set apart a aur of money for the education of the boys in an ,American institution, I should .have been glad to have brought them to England and given them a home with myself and my daughter. Cir- cumstances trade this impossible," "Most unfortunate! You did, I take It, keep in touch with them?" "Without interruption for many Years. Then James, went to Austra- lia and no •more was heard of him. When Martin began .to make a career for himself 1 was delighted. Ile wrote to me from time to time and often promised to visit in in England." let promise he has since Inept?" "Yea. A week ago Shad a mes- ritf,go front tondon Saying he would cit 1, ''The day before the bazaar 5, er rreir