The Huron Expositor, 1953-03-13, Page 2A. Y. McLean, Editor
ember of Canadian
eeldy Newspapers
Association.
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PHONE 41
Authorized as Second Class Mali
Post Office Department, Ottawa
SEAFORTH, Friday, March 13, 1953
1Yelp for the Rural Courier
Among Canada's public servants
who frequently go about their daily
tasks with little thanks are the rural
mail couriers. Despite the snow and
cold of winter, or the heat of sum-
mer, they, in' general, take pride in
ensuring that the patrons for whom
they are responsible receive their
mail on time and regularly.
Rural couriers are not employees
in the usual sense since they them-
selves, by virtue of tendering on the
service to be performed, determine
the amount that they will receive for
their work. But human nature be-
ing what it is, it frequently happens
that couriers tender in ,initch lower than is necessary to .ade-
' quat recompense them for the
.iwork they are called on to do. Then,
too, the situation arises where cost
0 operation increases during the life
%f the four-year contract.. The re-
sult has been that some couriers find
it, difficult to carry on at the amount
at -which they tendered.
Efforts have been made to find an-
other basis for determining the
,.amount of payment. Since, however,
)l to two routes are similar,either as
to mileage or condition of roads,
such efforts have met with little suc-
•, cess.
The post office department has
long realized the problem that exists
and has been seeking means of solv-
ing it. A solution that is fair to the
taxpayer and the couriers is reflect-
ed in legislation now before Parlia-
ment.
The proposed legislation retains
the tender system, but provides, that
after the lapse of a period of time
following. the awarding of - the con-
tract to the lowest tender, the con-
tract may be reviewed in the light of
changed conditions. In the same
manner, contracts already in effect
inay also be reviewed and if circum-
stances justify a , change, be revised
upwards.
The legislation which the Domin-
ion Government proposes is an indi-
eation of the concern in which the
Couriers' problem has been held by
the Government. It is a recognition,
too, of the excellent manner in which
couriers generally carry out their
duties. The legislation should go a
long way in ensuring that each cour-
ier receives compensation in keeping
with the duties he is called on to per-
form. .
•
Reporting the -News
The tendency of certain daily
papers to play up stories to a point
beyond which the facts justify is fre-
quently apparent. An accident last
week in which one of the Seaforth
High School buses was involved was
a case in point.
Every newspaper, either weekly or
Baily, serving this area, and in fair-
ness to its subscribers,had an obli-
gation to report t'he, accident. Not
only Were twenty;one pupils' involv-
ed; butthere was an interest in the
accident on the part of other pupils
n id, of the community generally.
there a responsibility
-ort' the accident,at the same time
'as as great a responsibility
cure that the report was factu?.1
objective. '
ainly in error to sn
done in• some stories,
tdow ,
s were broken;
onfusion, and by in-•
i ovement of seh'ool
3stt and
!air neo s tS ua i l�; Eath vehicle
has incorporated in it latest safety
devices, and drivers ' ate bully aware
of their responsibilities at all times.
That this is the case was indicated
in the news story carried by this`
aper in the issue of last week, when
it was stated that this was the first
accident in more than 600,000 miles
of travel by Seaforth school buses. _
•
Changes in the Countryside
While from year to year particular
areas appear to be the same, there is
a process of change that goes on.
Sometimes so slowly that it is almost
imperceptible; sometimes faster, but,
still change.
Changes in town are generally
most noticeable. Change in the
countryside is less frequent, more
widely spaced and. not as many,peo-
ple witness the process as in cities,
the Peterborough Examiner claims,
and suggests a look around Peterbor-
ough to prove its point.
"Highways where there w e r e...
county roads, Cleared Winter coun-
ty roads where formerly a car had
hard going in February and a horse
and sleigh were more dependable.
Spruce farmhouses and barns, and
farmers and their families paying
considerable attention to pleasant
driveways, lawns, outdoor furniture,
landscaping. Good cars beside the
trim farmhouse
"Machines do' the farm work ;
not a horse is to besseen on some
farms. Electric wires along every
road and into every farm. In fact,
one of the most prominent changes
in the last two decades is the appear-
ance of the countryside at night
"It is next to impossible in' our
farming regions now to be in a corn=
pletely dark landscape—the feeling
of isolation is , gone. Lights glow
from house windows and barns.
Most farmers have yard lights, and
use them.
'Wherever you stand now in a
cultivated countryside at night there
are lights—mar lights; house lights,
yard lights. Electrification alone does
not account for the brilliance of the
country night; there . are more hous-
es and more occupied houses than
formerly, as city people acquire
country houses.
"There' have indeed been many
changes in the appearance of our
countryside—from fencing to televi-
sion aerials. But still sheep nibble,
cordwood is piled up by the kitchen
and manure accumulates by the barn.
And the same mail boxes still swing
from their arms."
What Other Papers Say:
How Parents Look At It
(Toronto Star)
What every parentknows is that
when a child brings home a good re-
port from school, he inherited his
diligence and ability, although the
parents can't always agree 'which
one of them he inherited it from. But
if it's a bad report, it's just proof
that the old idea of inherited tenden-
cies doesn't amount to -much.
•
Cause and Effect
(Fort William Times -Journal)
The President of the University of
Western Ontario, G. E. Hall, reveals
that a large number of students are
content to take' easier three-year
general courses than. the more spe-
cialized honor courses leading to
professions. He said:
"I am not criticizing the education-
al system. I am not necessarily criti-
cizing the young peoiile in our
schools. 1 am simply expressing
grave concern about an attitude—an
attitude 'which is associated with WI -
willingness to face hard work and
hard. thinking." -
But what does the University Pres-
ident expect,. when the young . stu-
dents cane from homes and corn-
tnuiiitles..where more and more the
ephasis is placed 'on shorter work-
' lig, hours and inerrease'd time for
10$61g1
•
Captures Fourth Prig¢
An entry of be from the ag-
ricultugal depart; nent of S, Ii i?,I3 S
captured fourth place in the inter-
county cowretition at Mt''dlesex
Seed Fair last week. The local en-
try competed against pia wino"lug
entries from seed fairs' of other
parts of the province. — Exeter
Times -Advocate,
Had Birthday
Mr, Mervyn Stelck and daughter,
Patsy, of Bradford, treated his par-
ents to a roast duck dinner, it be-
ing the occasion of Mr. Ed. Stelck's
birthday. Those present were: Mr.
and Mrs. Ed. Tipling and Judy of
Bradford, and Mr. and Mrs. Les.
Barth of Toronto. Mr. Stelck was
presented Waith many nice gifts.'
The evening was pleasantly spent
in music and singing. Mr. and
Mrs. Stelck, who reside at Dash-
wood, are spending a few weeks
with Mervyn and Patsy. — Zurich
Herald.
90 Year -Old Snow Shovel
Speaking of 'bargains, we believe
Mr, Zlhomas Edwards has come up
with the best ono we ever heard.
of. Mr. Edwards was in the office
last Saturday morning. It was
snowing outside, ;and the topic of
snow shovelling came up. 'Mr. Ed-
wards remarked 4hat he had done
very little shovelling . this winter.'
"I broke my snow shovel last win-
ter," he said, "and haven't bother-
ed to buy another. I bought the
shovel at an auction sale in Gode-
erich over 50 years ago for 10
cents."—Blyth Standard.
Baby a Day Hospital Reckrd
An average of one baby a very
day is therecord of South Huron
Hospital to date. Twenty-nine
babies have been ,born in the new
building since it opened early in
February. During the past week,
•
on -February 27, a daughter was
born to Mr. and Mrs. Garfield
Thomson, Exeter; on February 28,
a daughter to Mr. and Mrs'. Frank
-Adams. On March 1 five babies
were born: to Mr. and Mrs. Yke
Dykstra, R.R. 1, K'irkten, a son;
to Mr. and Mrs. Alois Esbroeck,
R.R., Hensall, a daughter; to Mr.
and Mrs, Ralph Honsberger, • of
Centralia, a son; to
Ray'Broderiek, a eau ht r
and Mrs. James Dunn, P M •
tralia, a daughter; -ise e
Buswell and Mrs. Helen, Ca • b '
have been added to be •
staff. -Exeter Times -Advo -ate
'Boy Suffers Injury To E
Little Bobby Lep Ing on 1 • s
soon of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Leppi -
ton, Brucefleid, and grant'son r
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lep: ington
Clinton, was seriously inju ed
Monday morning at his boar T.
severe frost Sunday evening
frozen the boy's sled into th
ground, and when he went out to
play Monday morning, he tried 'a
pull it free. Some part of the stet
is believed to have struck him 'n
the eye, tearing the evebaIl qu'te,
severely. Ken Scott rushed him im-
med'iately,to Clinton, where Dr. W
A.Oakes advised removal to 1.cn-
don a.t once. The lad's father was
returning from'delivering a load of
gas, and met the Scott oar on th
highway, so he was able to accom-
pany Bobby to the hospital -in Lon-
don. Little chance' of saving the
sight of the eye was predicted.—
Clinton News -Record.
Ice Frolic Realizes $160 •
At the Clinton Lions Club Flood
Relief ice frolic in Lions Arena last
Friday evening, over $160 was tak-
en '1•n. This amount will be given
to the Huron County 9verseap."
Flood. Relief Fund. The Lions had
previously given $100. A small
crowd was on hand to watch the
Lions and Kinsmen play a 0-0 tie'
in a broom -bail game. As the eve-
i1ing progressed more pertsons were
Present to play Lions games and
dance on the ice to Frank Hamon's
orchestra. Old time dancing was
also enjoyed. Throughout the eve-
ning the Bannockburn Pipe Band
played. At the close of the 'en-
tertainment a draw was made for
a $5 door prize. The winner was
not present and has not yet claim-
ed the prize. The holder of ticket
number 525 may. claim the prize
by presenting the ticket stub to L.
G. Winter, chairman of •the com-
mittee in charge.—Clinton News -
Record.
To The Editor
Toronto, March 7, 1953.
Editor, The Huron Expodritor:
Dear Sir: I was mightily im-
pressed with that keen text in Feb.
20 issue, headed: Justice 'Minister
Reviews Query, "Is It Time For a
Change?" in which the Minister of
Justice (Hon. Stuart Gerson) as-
serts: If I• know Canadians, they
are going to ask, "A change? A
change from what to what? what
kind of a change are we going to
get? And what will it do to us?
As one Canadian who is convinc-
ed that the future is not going to
be kind to Tories, anywhere, I feel
that the above speaker goes to
the core of the political problem
coming up soon, for the attention
of the Ca.%adian people., I agree
that "we .Canadians don't have to
copy the Americans" and that "we
have to make our own decisions on
the basis of our own facts,"
On the surface, of course, many
people don't feel that they have a
very direct link with the burden of
the national debt; but I was struck
,with the following few lines buried
at the heart of the above feature
article: "And what is the dreadful
thing that the Governmenthas
done with this titieiipected extra
revenue? We have used it to pay
of6 some $2.2 billion of the nation-
al debt; that is, about $150.00 for
every man, Woman and child in
Canada, and are thereby saving $60
millions per year in interest .
I doubt if that achievement has
been duplicated in any other coun-
try, and feel like inviting the ex-
- perts in such matters to dig out
the facts and make them availa`Ie
to' the average man.
The above viewpoint • seems to
me to get supported by the follow-
ing news -item from Ottawa which I
ran, across only yesterday: "Ac-
cording to the Bureau of Statistics,
Canada's population, at December
1, was 16,600,000—a jump of 615,000
since June, 1951, decennial census
figure of 14,009;000."
Apart entirely from my interest
in these new customers for the
Canadian farmer, it seems to this
grassroots reader that, over the
long term, every Canadian is a
geneficiary of our upsurging popu-
lation, .Le., , not only more "de-
mand" but also more shoulders un-
der the debt -load.
A. B. C.
New Cabbage Highly Regarded
Difficulties in making seed sup-
plies of new varieties of crops
quickly available to growers, is
well illustrated by the ,experience
of W. Ferguson, Division of Horti-
culture, Central Experimental
Farm, Ottawa.
Canadian Ace, a new variety of
cabbage recently developed at the
Farm, shows excellent promise for
many Canadian, conditions and for
the United States --it was highly
regarded at Cornell University. It
has also shad a very favorable re-
ception in Southern England. But
seed of the new variety will not be
available in quantity until a year
later than intended.
After thorough testing it Ottawa
a limited supply of the seed was
placed with the Co-operative Seed
Growers of British Columbia for
multiplication in 1950. The seed
was planted that year bUt••the fol-
lowing season the area experienced
a severe drought and there was, no
crop of seed to harvest. Small
quantities of seed produced at the
Central Experimental Farm provid-
ed a sample lot. for testing purpos-
es at a large vegetable grower's
farm at Ringwood, Hampshire, Eng-
land, and the new variety was so
thighly. regarded there that prompt
requests were received for addi-
tional seed supplies.
This year small lots of seed are
being supiilted to several growers
in Canada and to selected growers
in ..Eurgge., and.,• the United States,_
Additional supplies will also be
grown at Ottawa, so that by 1954
it td •etpeeted a limited amount will
be available for the commercial
cabbage grower,
Canadian Acre plants are' very
uniform, small, with a spread of
18 to 20 inches, and the outer
leaves flattened or rosette -like. The
stens are very short acnd the fol-
tage hag a pleasing luish-greets.
eafft,' • ileada,, are rotted, small at-
traetive, andiin1Mrin in size. ']Che
heft& are eleeptiozially uniforifi• 1 .
the' date at which they reach ma-
turity, and with a weight of about
two pounds. It frequently matures
several days earlier than Golden
Acre and does very well under ir-
rigation.
Candy Coated Potato Chips
Potato chips are providing an im-
portant outlet for increased sales
of potatoes. The magazine "Cana-
dian Food Industries" reports that
as early as 1950 factory sales of
potato chips and .flakes, in Canada,
totalled 33/4 million dollars. In the
United States the cash value of
chips produced in 1951 was almost
185 million dollars. A survey of
what "Teen-agers" there prefer for
snacks, revealed that potato_ chips
were among the top. ten snack
foods.
Recently methods have been de-
veloped experimentally to give the
chips candy, chocolate, or cheese
coatings to further increase their
Pop/laxity.
Ethel Dixon and P. M. Townsley,
Fruit and Vegetable Processing, ti -
division of Horticulture, Central
Experimental Farm, Ottawa, have
tested a wide variety of coatings
and candy recipes. They found
nitre which gave desirable coatings.
These' were: white powdered sug-
ar, caramel, molasses, molasses and
peppermint, peanut taffy, spice,
corn syrup candies, nut brittle,
maple ansa lemon candy glazes.
it was found that candied coat-
ings sad �oTie` applied at tehiPeR-
tures above 180 degree F. or trans-
fer of moisture from the candy '£o
the chip resulted in a soggy con-
fection.
Candies were applied by cooking
the candy mixes in ,double boilers
with oil used as a heating medium.
The cooked Candy was •pottred into
greased •trays to cool and tharden,
Ptlui3itg was done at 210 degrees P.
the Candy ti'ae then graded to a
thib powder, 46n•salted, fried IMV-
• i `o itlflued, ort Pogo, 8) •
‘I;
Excitement or tension
maypften'bring
On attacks of stuttering.
Infinite patience is required
When a child
in 4peech defects is mired.
Dept of Natwnal Health and Welfare
Years. Agone
. interesting Items Picked From
The Huron,Exposltor of Twen-
ty-five and Fifty Years Ago
From The Huron Expositor
March 16, ,1928
A fire, which for a time threaten-
ed the west end of Brodhagen far
a time, and which eompletely de-
s.troyed.the garage occupied by
Charles node, with a consequent
loss of about $3,000, took place
Tuesday morning. Marcellus Her-
gott received a bad cut on, his arm
when attempting to open a win-
dow. The building was owned by
I. B. Trembly, Detroit.
A large crowd of neighbors and
friends assembled at the home of
Mr, and Mrs. Harry Jackson, Wal-
ton, and presented them with a
handsome clock and table prior to
their leaving for the West.
A most enjoyable evening was,
spent in the schoolroom of the
United Church, Brucefleld, when
the 'members of the Session and
their wives entertained the .mem-
bers of the choir and their friends
to a banquet. Special reference
Was made to Miss Jean Murdoch,
organist and choir leader, who has
been so faithful,
The naw on 'Tuesday was the
first break in a week of storm and
cold. The rain ~and mild weather
got rid of a lot of snow, but there
is still an abundance of it.
Miss Belle Campbell is in. Barrie
this weer as representative of the
iocal L.O.B.A., at the convention
being held there.
Mr. John Hay, Egmondville, has
leased Mr. George Elgie's farm in
Tuckersmith.
The many friends and neighbors
of Mr. and Mrs. E. Robbins gath-
ered at their home in Hibbert and
presented them with a lamp as a
token of regard. Mr. and Mrs. Rob-
bins are moving shortly to their
new home in Tuckersmith which
they purchased from Mr. H. Hor-
ton.
Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Rau, Zurich,
have moved into the house recent-
ly purchased from L. •Kipfer. The
sale held by Mr. Rau last Thursday
was most successful, realizing
$4,000.
The euchre and dance held in
Winthrop Hall was well attended,
the first part being spent in pro-
gressive euchre. Those winning
prizes were: Mrs. Charles Dolmage,
Mrs. Percy Little, Miss - Velma
Heist, John Montgomery, Stewart
Dolmage and Errol Habkirk.
From The Huron Expositor
March 13, 1903
A. T. Cooper, 'Clinton, has pur-
chased the book .ancl • stationery
business of Mr.'A, Ross, Wingliam,
and will run it in conjunction with
his Clinton business.
Mr: James W. • Bell's friends at
Hensall are pleased to know that
he recently passed an examination
in anatomy at the Philadelphia
Dental College and came out suc-
cessful with his diploma with hon -
Ors.
An oyster supper was held. Mon-
day evening at the home • of Mr,
and Mrs. 'Robert McArthur, Hen -
sail, when 100 friends and ac-
quaintances of S.S. 14; Hay, met
together and spent a happy social
time. Mr. George McEwen, M.P,,
was called on as chairman.
Mr. Peter 'McKay, 16th conces-
sion, Tuckersmith, "recently made a
couple of good sales of stock. Hie
sold a .13 -months -old bull to Mr.
'George Fitzgerald for shipment to
Manitoba, and also disposed of a
thoroughbred cow to Mr. Alex
Gray, 2nd concession, for which he
received a fancy price.
Mr. Percy Town, who has re-
ceived a thorough training in the
tailoring department of Greig &
Stewart„left Tuesday for Stratford
where he has secured a'good .posi-
tion,
'Mr. Thomas E. Knox, a former
Seaforth bo'y, . and son of Mrs,
Knox, Harpurhey; has been ap-
pointed postmaster et Livermore, a
smart and growing town in Cali-
fornia.
Mr. Sam McSpadden, Winthrop,
left for the West last week where
he intends farming.
_The... roads._ froip ..Winthrop__ -to
Seaforth are in a bad state at pre-
sent, but sue see the robins. around
and we'think spring is near.
Wihile' Mr. W. G. McSpadden was
pressing hay at John Cut'hill's'
place, Mr, William, Beattie, son of
Mr; Thomas Beattie, got oft to
tramp. awhile; and in seine way his
foot got entangled in, the hay and
the teatn-•gave'him quite a egneeze,
Alex Hislop's 100 -acre farm' on
the sevenths of. Morris, has been
pureh age , .b y i#i , ohard B, ,Berta?
"Noth'ng to get excited about, is
'here?" - •
"Qf course not. 'But, being a
methodical sort of chap, I'm sur-
prised at my carelessness."
"1 erhaps your mysterious visitor
thoit ht a drink was due."
"And 'picked the lock witha hair-
pin?" Mr. Sharpe peered closely
at the door. Then he closed it
with a slam and turned away.
"Would you care for a drink?" he
asked.
"Very kind of you to offer."
"Then we'll walk down to the
'Th'stle' and get a glass of beer."
"Suits me, sir. Only I thought
—" Matthews stopped,;remember-
`ng it was hardly the thing to draw
attention to his expectations of be-
ing invited to help himself to the
whiskey,
"You thought nothing. Spirits
aren't good for you tonight."
"If. you, say• so, of course, Mr.
Sharpe."
"I certainly do say so. Wait a
minute while I slip back. There's
something I'ye forgotten."
"Not to loch the • cupboard door
again, sir."
"No. Something has happened
to the catch. I want to put that
bottle in a safe place:"
. • "Afraid Mrs, Beagle might like
a nightcap?"
"She.thappeus to be a teetotaller.
But one never knows. Somebody
might fancy a' spot."
"That's true. Yon can't be too
careful."
"You're quite right, inspector."
He was unusually subdued as they
walked down the road, and when
they entered the smoke room at
the Thistle an immediate order of.
double whiskeys astounded ?VIat-
thews.
"Didn't you warn me off spirits
tonight, sir?" he reminded.
'!Take what's coming and be
thankful." Mr. Sharpe drained this
glass and called for a repeat.
"There are times," he said mus-
ingly, "when I'm glad everybody
hasn't a chess education,"
'Peculiar thing for you to say.
Might I ask what prompted it?"
Making. a pencil from his pocket
the little man neatly sketched' out
the set-up of a game, making the
pieces quite recognizable, "Never
varies," he -Observed. Queen al-
ways stands on her own color."
"Well?"
"That's all, Except at con-
firmed players have habit of
carefully placing the knights so
the beads point forward. 3 always
do that,"
"Ami supposed to find this con-
versation illuminating, .sit?"
"Just please yourself, Inspector.
Only a.. man with a tidy mind no-
tices things."
"I'll give' it up. I do see one
glaring fact, though."
"Ah, my influence is having a
good- effect. What is that?"
"Glasses are empty."
"My dear Matthews," Mr. Sharpe
said sadly, "you are a great disap-
pointment to me. But not," he
added ha.stily, "in the matter of
the empty glasses. Feil 'em up."
"Flow 'in the name of all that's=
miraculous am I expected to do
that?"
"Surely your police organization
oughtto be capable o.1' Making con-
• CHAPTER XIV
"Mrs. Rotherson is not at home,
wY
At this Mr. Morrison Sharpe ele-
vated his eyebrows. He had hop-
ed that -his call would fit in with
other plans he had made for that
"Too bad," he observed. "When
do you expect her back?"
"I'm sure I can't say."
"This afternoon perhaps?"
"No, sir. Not for some days at
the earliest."
"You mean she's gone away?"
"Yes, sir. Miss Rotherson as
well."
"Where to?" •
The maid shook her head.
"Afraid I don't know, The Mis-
tress did not leave an address,
and we are to keep- all the cor-
respondence,;until she returns."
It was a disappointment, espec-
ially as time was running short.
Making his way back to Netherton,
Mr. Sharpe looked up his friend,
Inspectbr Matthews.
"Afraid I can't do anything
about it," • that worthy made apolo-
gy. "If Mrs. Rotherson decides to
take a .holiday she is' at perfect
liberty to do so." '
"But it is imperative that I
should see her. The case opens
in three days' time." "-
What of it?"
"And Quentine Thorne will win
the day."
"You should, know, considering
the way you've smashed down •otir
case."
Mr. Sharpe twirked impatiently.
"Can't you understand it is the
truth I'm aiming at, not proving or
'dislptoving any bifida] findings."
"If you want my candid, opinion
it is that you don't know what you
are driving at. And I'm sure I
can't tell you.- ]slither the vicar is
guilty or not guilty, and that's all
there is to it."
"The trouble has been," the lit-
tle puzzle -master remarked, "that
I was so concerned with the first
of the, murders my mind insisted
on visualizing one culprit. Now
I'm beginning to think there were
Mo."
"What?" Matthews almost shriek.
ed, '
"I said there may have been two.
Until I get hold Of Alma Rother-
son I can't be sure."ure."
"Say that again! No, don't both-
er. Just step right there and• sort
this out for me as soon as pos-
sible,"
"Unfortunately; old nran, TM nut
in 'a,•position to explain. You want
absolute evidence and i haven't
got it. Thorne may have killed,
Rotherson, or the wife. The only
thing I'm perfeetlyt sure of is that
he didn't cotnmit both crimes. Now
you can, gee the danger. Couldn't
you get this trial postponed?"
"Absolutely out of the question.
It must go forward on the lines in-
dicated at the preliminary hear-
` n•gsPh." .
granii41an of 1vtr. 1-110,191). far $8;000, "en find Mrs. Rotiherson for
tact."
"We'll do our best."
"Sure you will, I'm dreadfully
sorry at the way matters have
worked out."
"So am I, sir. Whichever way
the.. case gges now I'm ,, in for a.•
bad' time."
"You'll certainly have good cause:
to cures my meddling."
"Never mind about that. I'm just
as keen to get to the tbottom of
the affair as you are, whatever the
repercussions. After what you've
told me I can see that we've all
been working at cross ,purposes.
Naturally I still drn't undersand
how old Mrs. Rotherson comes in-
to it."
"Neither do I, for the time be-
ing. 'C'are to come with me back
to her house and see if we cam
pick up a thing or two?" •
"Anything to help."
At the ancestral home .of the°•
Rothersons, Morrison Sharpe and'
Inspector Matthews received con
firmation of the departure of the
two women. ;
Dukes, the elderly butler, said'•
the decision seemed to have been.
made suddenly.
"Mrs. Rotherson has not been:'
very well lately," he concluded-.
"Dr. Willis may have suggested a-.
change of air."
That might, be a useful tip. But
the doctor, while admitting that he,
had recommended the seaside,:,
could not name a definite place.
"Actually I mentioned Bsightham:'.
and Battcliffe Bay," he said,
"though I also pointed out that
anywhere bracing would de equal-.-
ly well."
."What was the complaint?" ask; -
ed Mr. Sharpe.
Dr. Willis bridled. "Really, sir,"
he retorted, "that is unfair. Pro-
fessional etiquette has to be ob.-
served."
"There is so much at stake, dee,-
tor, that even such a cast-iron rule'
.should be relaxed. Would it be
near the mark to refer to nervous
trouble'?"
"Well, as it seems you have al-
ready spoken to the patient there
can beno harm in confirming that -
The case is not serious and may
be a complication arising from old
standing digestive disorders."
"I see — r s ing to simple -
treatment, I • ppose?"
"Exactly—a sodium bicarbonate -
compound and dietary recommence.
dations."
"Thank you., We won't disturb.
you any, longer,"
"Not too helpful," commented=
Inspector Matthews as they came
'out of the surgery. ,
Mr. Sharpe looked thoughtful. "1'
wouldn't say that," he replied.
"Well, the mention of Brigbtham
a.nd Battcliffe Bay may give us/a.
1ine.'r
"Bicarbonate of soda and nerves,' his companion observed inconse-
quentially.
Both the seaside resorts referred
to by Dr. Willis drew blanks. In-
vestigations were being made itt
other likely spots and Matthews
was alternately- hopeful and de-
spondent, Nothing had been heard
at the Rotherson residence and the •
trial of the • Rev. Quentin Thorne.
on double charges of murder open-
ed the next morning.
Mr. Justice Errington, the visit-
ing Judge of Assize, lead taken up'
his lodgings and attended divine
service at the 'Parish Church of St.
Stephen in accordance with cus-
tom. Three minor cases had been
disposed of and there was one ar•
-
raignment for bigamy standing on
the calendar. This would not take
up the time of the court unduly.
IFor the first time in his life Mor-
rison Sharpe spent a - sleepless •
night. He blamed himself for not
arriving earlier at certain conclu-
sions.
As anticipated the charges against
Thorne were opened immediately
after the luncheon adjournment.
• An immediate' surprise was
sprung by the prisoner, who plead-
ed "Not guilty" to the first indict-
ment, following it .with a "guilty"
plea to the accusation of murder-
ing his wife.
''Consternation follotyed this sen
sattiohal plea. •
'Looking over his glasses His
Lordship peered curiously at the
Vicar of St. Chad's, and gently
murmured something about "not re-
alizing the seriousness of this ad-
mission."
Mr. Vincent Hollis, • counsel for
the defendant, walked across to the •
dock. After a lengthy consultation
he was observed to throw up his
arms in a gesture of resignation.
"It is an unfortunate state of af-
fairs, M'Lord," he remarked. "My
instructions did not prepare me for
this." -
"Do I, take it that the prisoner
remains obdurate?"
"That is so, M'Lord."
"Mml What is the attitude of
the prosecution?"
Sir Harold IVetley hitched up his
gown dexterously. "The Crown Is
prepared to proceed on the pleas.
But I would point out to your lord-
ahip that we are not concerned
with two disconnected happenings,
although there are separate indict-
ments. We hope to prove to the
satisfaction of the court that the
second crime arose out .01 the first
as a corollary . ,
"Is ,my learned- friend opening
the case for - th :'''C -0 e" - -asked-
Mr,
askedMr• Vincent Hollis, K.C., sardonic -
"I submit that in, the circum-
stances the jury are qualified to
arrive at a decision," Sir Harold
was palpably annoyed at the re-
mark.
Here the judge intervened to sug-
gest an adjounHimont for half an
hour to give both sides an oppor-
tunity to consider the position In
the light of the development. "I
4
(Continued ori •Page 7),
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