Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 208, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1917 — HAPPENINGS in the BIG CITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAPPENINGS in the BIG CITIES

Woman’s Bluff Was Good, but It Failed to Work RICHMOND, VA.—At least one womsntried to “put one over” at the recruiting stations in Richmond, but the eagle eye of Sergeant Freeman at the United States army quarters and the fineness of “sizing a body up” at the

United States navy station, the Unitea States Marine corps and both Virginia regimental headquarters, nipped- the plan completely, and “he," as shei called herself, got no further than to make a request to enlist. “Look me over,” she told Sergeantl Freeman, when she climbed the step* of three floors in Broad street, where the sergeant holds out in the interest of the federal army. “I have been toi the Marine corps and to the navy, ’ she farther explained to the sergeant, “and!

they say they are full up at present, and I am really anxious to do my bit fori the old flag and the nation.” ~ It was easy to see that she tried to harden her voice, but in spite o e size and her attempts' to emulate her brothers, her voice never reached the male notes of even a high falsetto—they were soprano notes, and like the fable about a child leading a horse to water and all the world being unable to make it drink—she couldn’t get away from her voice. Six or seven husky male applicants were standing around when tne feminine “young man” came in. One of the real sure-enough applicants natt been telling the sergeants that he had thrown a sack containing a bushel ana a half of wheat from the barnyard to his brother in the loft with one han .. when the Eva Tanguay of the army and navy entered. “Say, folks, this here all’s sure a hot day to climb this tree into your office,” she bantered, In a sweet voice, attempting to appear free and easy. She toyed with her straw hat and three of the sunburnt regulars, who were waiting their turn, r Sergeant Freeman that they had.noticed her blush when she entered. The soprano applicant told the army folks she was a resident of Petersburg. They never took her name, yet she told them what it was. They think she used an alias.

Prisoner in County Jail Lifts Voice in Song /CHICAGO. —There is a mysterious baritone in the county jail. This gentleV man song bird has made considerable of a hit on the sheriff’s circuit, judging by the thunderous applause that greeted his efforts. Those having

choice reservations in the cell blocks cheered lustily and clapped their hands. The baritone succeeded tn attracting an appreciative audience on the outside, too. Traffic was blocked in the street, while the baritone went through his repertoire. But there’s a mystery about it An Investigator rushed into the jail to learn what prisoner possessed such an exquisite voice. “There’s been no singin’ goin’ on tn here,” vouchsafed one of the

deputies. “We don’t allow no singing in the jail.” “Strange,” murmured the investigator. “There certainly was someone singing.” He departed. Out on the street he noted another crowd had collected. Sure enough, the baritone was singing, his voice floating out on the murky atmosphere of the street. He was singing a song about mother. Again It was furiously applauded by jail inmates and persons on the outside. This time the investigator rushed back into the jail, determined to fathom the mystery. He walked through the corridors outside the cell block, demtindIng the name of the singer. But the jail inmates merely laughed and said they didn’t know anything about it< The mysterious baritone manages to keep his Identity a secret and no one knows how long his engagement will last.

Gotham Judge Has Poor Opinion of “Nosey Women” NEW YORK. —A man doesn’t have to tell his wife what he is doing when he absents himself from the family fireside at night, according to ths ruling handed down by Justice S.teln in police court. He ventured that ‘‘a

nosey woman can create a lot of trow ble.” This judicial opinion wai prompted by the airing of the troubles of one James McConnell, who admitted that he Is the human prototype of Mr, Jiggs, of cartoon fame. Mr. McConnell, is a molder, and for many years he has never missed one of their annual picnics. Mrs. McConnell says that she doesn’t care for molders’ picnics. “I take It that you consider a molders’ picnic similar to Dinty

Moore’s place as far as your husband is concerned?” Inquired Justice Stein. "Exactly” said Mrs. McConnell firmly, stating that she had spent the last seven years of her life “trying to bring Mr. McConnell to realize hla duties as a husband.” Mr. McConnell was not in court on a charge brought against him by his wife, but he appeared as a witness for his sister, Mrs. Lizzie Zang, who came to visit him several days ago. He had not seen his sister before in 15 .years, and according to the testimony was very zealous in “showing his sister a g ° When Mrs McConnell expressed her determination not to attend the molders’ picnic, Mr. McCdnnell said that he would take his sister and two daughters. The party arrived home at 1 a. m. * Mrs. McConnell stated that she took her husbands pocketbook and left the house, going to relatives “for a short time." She stated that when returned Mrs. Zang attempted to put her out of her home. t Justice Stein stated that-he thought poor judgment had been all parties concerned, and told them to return home and fix matters up.

Rod Not Spared on Seven Detroit Boy Brigands TXETROIT —There are seven smqll boys in Highland Park who disagree D most violently with the words of ancient Solomon In that “spare _ the rod and spoil the child” verse of Scripture. They were not spoiled the other

morning and It Is to be believed that lunching from the pantry shelf will be a popular pastime with the sufferIng seven for some days to come. In addition they suffered that agony of boyhood’s shame, a licking In the presence of grinning growji-ups, and still further horror, the grown-ups were their, sworn enemies, the police, j The seven had been caught redhanded robbing a store and arrested. Chief Seymour had them rounded

up In the station and their mothers were sent for. When a long, black and supple strap appeared in the chief’s hands the boys gazed despairingly at one another. : Th« strap was turned over to the mothers and the chief said merely “go abend ” At every door of the room a tall- policeman stood, the windows were too high to jump from. Despair, a moment’s silence and there rose r walling and a dull thudding sound. Some minutes later seven tear-stained faces were lifted tb the sound of the chief’s voice and sc .en pain-racked .small bova eave solemn promise never, never to dojt again. And after ih:it--oh. SSeF” molb«rs were beard to say. -Ton Jost wait Illi I get you home.”