Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 March 1919 — Page 3

How Long Is Five Minutes?

By BEN WINSLOW

(Copyright) Every house in the little town of Ardeola had been wiped out by a “great conflagration.” That a village so insignificant could be visited by a catastrophe of sufficient magnitude to warrant an application of the word “conflagration" may seem paradoxical, but. in view of the fact that every splinter •of its thirty-nine buildings was ■consumed in the blaze, no other word would fit. Therefore the newspapers of Westvalia chronicled the fire that wiped out its little neighbor across the river as “a great conflagration.” The facts, although given in painful detail in the columns of the press the day after the fire, were brought out more entertainingly during the legal proceedings that followed several months later. The people of the late Ardeola blamed the Osage Valley railroad for the calamity, and they were so firmly convinced that the soulless corporation was the cause of their loss that thirty-eight of them brought suit against the railroad. The one exhome owner who did not seek redress at the hands of the court was John Lester, although his home was among the first to go. Lester was a lawyer and hid been referred to by the press on several occasions as “promising.” The other thirty-eight losers intrusted their case to him, and in order that he might ~go-4nto_the battle as the legal representative of the people, with no interests other than those assumed in that capacity he entered no claim against* the railroad. It was a very generous act indeed, considering that the people he represented, having lost their all, could pay no retainer; in fact, the amount he could recover, if any at all, being entirely problematical, no promises of compensation were given. That it was to be a bitter fight was evident. The railroad company, not satisfied to let its legal representative at Westvalla defend it, sent down three of the shining lights of the law department to assist him. They were on the ground the second day after the thirty-eight petitions were filed, whipping their case into shape for trial. The thirty-eight petitions were identical, with the exception of the name of the petitioner, and they set forth that the Osage Valley railroad owned a bridge extending across the Grand river from Westvalla to Ardeola, the said bridge being a drawbridge, and the said draw being operated and controlled by employees of the said railroad company. On the day of the fire —in fact, at practically the instant the fire started —the draw of the bridge, having been opened by employees of the railroad company to allow the passage of a tugboat, also owned by the said company, became clogged, and by reason of the said clogging of the said draw the fire-fighting apparatus from Westvalia was delayed in reaching the scene of the fire, the bridge being the only means of communication between the two towns; and furthermore, that by reason of the abhve-mentloned delay the fire gained such headway that the Westvalia fire department was unable to check it, It was upon the fiftts. set forth In petitions that the homeless inhabitants of Ardeola, hoped to recover. The first move of the railroad’s attorneys jvas to secure a consolidation of the.petitions, agreeing to pay full damages in each individual' case if they lost the case that went to trial. When Lester agreed, to that proposition the petitioners became uneasy lest they had made a mistake in intrusting their cases to the young man, and when he called only two witnesses—one plaintiff to establish the fact that the fire had occurred, and the driver of the fire engine to prove that the open draw had caused considerable delay—and then rested his case, a majority of them were quite sure that they had made a mistake. The railroad attorneys were taken off pieir feet by Lester’s procedure. They expected to see the entire membership of each of the thirty-eight families on the stand; but they recovered quickly and began calling witnesses. The only point they made was that the draw was open only five minutes. The operator of the draw testified positively as to the time, -and he was followed by the bridge flagman with testimony equally positive. They both stated that they fixed the time by the arrival and departure of passenger train No. 95. They testified that the train came into the bridge block at the Westvalia end at eigbt-twenty-flve and crossed the bridge at eight-thirty, and the engineer, fireman, conductor and brakeman on No. 95 corroborated their testimony. The petitioners were dlsappqinted in the cross-examination conducted by Lester. The only questions he asked tended to establish more firmly the fact that the draw was open only five minutes. “How much time do you desire fpr argument?” inquired the court. “I am satisfied with what time the other Side desires,” replied Lester. The railroad company’s Westvalia representative thought he Baw an °Pportunity to gain an advantage. He knew Lester’s ability as a court ora*

tor, and even before the trial he had intimated to his assistants that to choke off Lester’s talk would be a decided advantage. "f A hurried consultation was held by the four railroad lawyers, apd result the Westvalia representative stated that five minutes was sufficient. “I am satisfied with that, also,” said Lester. dashing the remaining hopes of the thirty-eight petitioners. They had counted not a little on Lester’s argument to the jury, and they knew that it took him more than five minutes to get warmed up. Mr. Stansbury was selected by the railroad attorneys to do their talking, and he devoted his five minutes to driving home the-fact—that the draw had been open only five minutes, and that five minutes was too short a time for the -fire to gain enough head way to be beyond the control of the fire department. Therefore the total . destruction of the town must have been due to other causes with which the railroad company had no connection. Though short, it was a splepdid argument, delivered in Stansbury’s most captivating manner, and It carried conviction to the minds of the jury. While the railroad lawyers were congratulating their orator the eyes of the petitioners were on Lester. It was his turn to talk. Stansbn ’y’s masterful argument would be picked to pieces and his laurels dragged in the dust. Lester rose from his seat, and with the customary “if the court please,” and “gentlemen of the jury,” he addressed them from his place at the table. “My friend of the other side, with eloquence that would move an image of stone, has convinced you that the draw of their bridge was open only five minutes, and that 4n that short time the fire could not have gained sufficient headway to be beyond the control of the fire department when it finally reached the scene. Will one of you gentlemen kindly take out his watch ?” The juror on the left end of the first row produced a large silver timepiece. “Now,” continued Lester, “will you kindly call time when my five minutes is up.” He parted the tails of his. Prince Albert and sat down. The petitioners were panic-stricken. Was the man mad? He was wasting valuable time. Why didn’t he pitch into Stansbury’s argianent and tear it into shreds as he did the arguments in the debate last year? Why didn’t he say something? But Lester settled himself comfortably in his chair, closed his eyes and idly twirled his thumbs. The juror holding the watch lowered his hand to rest in on his knee, and the court crossed and recrossed its legs. The railroad lawyers were nettled. They scented danger and put their heads together for a whispered consultation. —The other jurors craned their necks to see the watch. The juror holding it looked it in the face with a puzzled expression on his own; then he put it to his ear to see if it was running. The judge uncrossed his legs and tilted back in his chair, and Lester continued to twirl his thumbs. The .silence became oppressive. All eyes except Lester’s and the timing juror’s were fixed on the big clock over the bench. Surely the juror’s watch must have stopped. He examined the second-hand closely to satisfy himself that it was turning. It was moving, but so slowly that he thought the watch must be running down. He wound it industriously, and the noise, magnified by the deep silence of the room, resembled the clattering ratchet on a slacking-off windlass, The spectators began to get fidgety, pieicing the silence with heavy sighs, nervous coughs and much nose-blowing. Finally the Juror called “time,” and the court led a concert of sighs like escaping steam. Lester came to his feet. ' “Now, gentlemen,” he retnarked dryly, “you know how long the draw was open. It is for you to decide whether or not five minutes was long enough for the fire to get beyond control.*" In considerably less than another five minutes the jury was in with a verdict for the plaintiff, awarding every dollar demanded. Thus was silence golden.

Origin of Household Words.

Anyone interested in the history of dress might find amusement for many an idle hour simply Id searching out the meanings of many of the words used by dressmakers and haberdashers. Take the simple word corset. You will find that it is h diminutive of “corse.” or body—a word which we still have in corpse and corps. And it was early used in the plural, as we do now. first to indicate an entire garment, and then merely the stay portion of such a garment. Similarly “bodice,” which has recently been revived as a substitute for the overworked “waist,,” is merely a plural for body, the term originally being “a pair of bodies.”

Ben Franklin’s Advice.

“If you, would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting. Let us then be up and doing, and doing to the purpose. One today Is worth two tomorrows. Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.; We may make these times even better if we bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, Sind he that lives upon hope will die fasting.”—Benjamin Franklin.

The Race’s Need.

Take the human race as a whole, its chief need is not more land, but more sense, more industry and a more Intelligent use of what it has already.— Houston Post.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

One may choose a straight-line suit or a belted suit, or one of the always popular semi-fitted models, with equal assurance this spring.- But there is a youthfulness in straight-lines that Is very engaging.—The added length of fashionable skirts compels designers to cast about for means of softening these uncompromising straight lines and here is one clever solution of this difficulty. The skirt is slightly draped at the back so that it Inclines toward the ankles, hanging in, from the hips down. At the back a row of none buttons, set several Inches apart, accentuate the long line., The coat nas a panel-back, and is longer at the back than at the sides. It Is open to the waistline. The designer has introduced pleasing curves at the bottom and called attention to them with a silk braid that follows their lines on the side panels and is extended to the back in an attractive arrangement. Patch pockets, outlined with braid, also have curved flaps at the top, bound with braid and finished with a bone nutton. This coat fastens with two buttons and loops at the front, over one of those smart silk vests that play so

Group of Hats for Young Women

Facetious husbands speak of It as “spring miliionary,” with a spice of malice, and cartoonists are indulging in their annual pastime of poking fun at new spring hats. They Jibe but they admire, and leave no room for doubt that they take notice. Meantime the milliner,, with more assurance and serenity than ever, places such gems of the millinery art as are pictured here in her shop windows. There, after a brief triumph, they pass on to crown fair heads. The hat at the top reveals a transparent crown of malines, that Is Mocked like a braid crown. At its side there are semicircles joined by bands of piping bdald. This 4s set on to a milan brim faced with georgette and edged with a falling fold of this soft material. At the side one of the numerous small ornaments made of; ostrich, flues Is posed, and a stitched band of ribbon lies about the crown. A hat of piping braid is shown faced with satin, with a crushed sash of Wide i satin ribbon about the crown, with roses Bet against it at intervals. More flowers bloom on spring hats than for many seasons. The third hat has a crown of chrysanthemum braid and a milan brim that rolls .up at the edge. A gay wreath of flowers and fruit is posed against the crown and narrow ribbon is tied about It. This ends in a bow that lies flat to. the brim. There are a great many black hats in the spring displays, of lustrous straws, brightened with rib-

Spring Suit of Plain Cloth

important a part in spring fashions. As summer comes in, these may be replaced with vests of thinner mate* rials or be left off, with light blouses taking their place in supplying the note of crispness and freshness which fs the glory of tailored suits. For a suit of this kind substantial weaves In wool are to be selected, as tricot, gabardine, serge or broadcloth. Men’s wear serge, for the business woman, or any one else who is on the street much of the time, is as good a selection as can be made.

Taking Out Fullness. .

It is surprising to the amateur to see how much fullness can be coaxed out of the tops of sleeve seams by a little careful easing of the full edge along the scant one. Don’t get discouraged If your neckline bulges or your sleeve puffs. Just rip it apart, and, holding the full side to you, baste it to the under one, allowing the material to lie, not puffed up between stitches, but just easily. The machine stitching wiU distribute the fullness so it is scarcely noticeable.

bons and flowers. Field flowers are popular on them, and occasional short lace veils falling from the back help out in producing quaint effects and bringing to mind millinery of long ago.

Taking Out Fullness.

It is surprising to the amateur to see how much fullness can be coaxed out of the tops of sleeves, necklines and sleeve seams by a little careful easing of the full edge along the scant one. Don’t- get discouraged if your neckline bulges or your sleeve puffs. Just rip it apart, and holding the full side to you, baste it to the udder one, allowing the material to lie not puffed up between stitches, but just easily. The machine stitching will distribute the fullness so it is scarcely able. . '

Trimming Hints.

Enormous braided buttonholes with buttons at one end form the trimming of some of the new dresses put out by Premet. On one there are three of these, forming the entire trimming of the bodice, the topmost one being at least six t.iches in length, the center one perhaps five inches and the one nearest the waistline possibly four Inches./ Four graded buttonholes of similar construction trim the uppei part of the front panel cf. the skirt.

DO YOU KNOW THAT

Sea anemones will exist on water •qurishment for four years. An American Indian can see at least one-tenth farther than the average white man. The South African government employs a veterinary, surgeon 'to study the diseases of Ostriches. Persia has no distilleries, breweries or public houses, and native wine la the only intoxicating beverage used. Bagdad is famous for Its breed of white asses. Their ears and tails are sometimes colored a bright red. Every English prison has now a library, but prisoners condemned to only a month or less are not allowed books from it. ~ The Asiatic town of Maiwatchl, on the borders of Russia, is peopled by men only. Women are forbidden entrance there. The average length of life is greater in Norway than in any other country. This is attributed to the fact that the temperature Is cool and uniform throughout the year. Those who live by the coast do not want a better weather guide than the gulls, which, in the various winds that bring rain, collect in big flocks and gather in the fields or circle high over the land, wheeling and screaming uneasily.

FROM THE PENCIL’S POINT

Prosperity helps some men to forget their friends. Charity covers a multitude of sins when it is at home. The strenuousman often wins a victory that isn’t worth the effort. You may whitewash a man’s character, but you can’t wash it white. ■* .. 9 Men and women who are opposed to labor unions should steer clear of love in a cottage. Our aches and pains would not be so bad if they did not get busy at the wrong time and the wrong place. A true gentleman never marries a wcman because she has money; but he sometimes marries her because he has none. —— A New Jersey woman thinks she is entitled to two pensions because she is the widow of one soldier and the grass widow of-another.

FRANKLIN’S WISDOM

•“The use of money is all the advantage there is In having money.” “For age and want save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.” “Get what you can, and what you get, hold; ’tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold.” » - “He that loses five shillings, not only loses that sum, but all the advantage that might be made by turning it in dealing, which, by the time that young man becomes old, will amount to a considerable sum of money.”—“Poor Richard.”

GOOD ADVICE

The longer I live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the following rules, which I have laid down for myself in relation to such matters : 1. To hear as little as possible what is to the prejudice of others. 2. To believe nothing of the kind until I am absolutely forced to. 3. Never to drink in the spirit of one who circulates an ill report. 4. Always to moderate, so far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed toward others. 5. Always to believe that, if the other side were—heard, very different accounts would be given of the matter. —An Old Scotch Writer.

AROUND THE WORLD

The showy top of Mount Everest in India is plainly visible to the unaided eye from points 107 miles distant. The Brazilian government plans to establish and maintain manual training schools in every state in the re-' public. Thirty years ago the telephone list of New York city was printed on a small card and numbered 252 subscribers.

THOUGHTS BY THE WAY

In boiling the water don't overdo it. The flavor of scorched bacteria may be disagreeable. •, • Every-virtue has Its peril. Dignity may become pomposity. That maxim, “Begin at the bottom and work up.” Is all right for most people except Well diggers. In reading history you can’t help but observe that a majority of ths people were fooled some of the tlmfc

IN ANOTHER KEY

A Question. “You must be a woman hater.” “Why?" “You’ve never married.” “Why should a man who has never married be a woman hater?” Wholesome Lesson. “That burglar says he .has more respect for the law than he had.” “What caused It?” “The fees he had to pay his lawyer and his bondsman.” , Wanted to Know. “Pa, w’hat’s kleptomania?” “Why—er—lt means taking something you don’t want.” “Was It kleptomania when I took the measles?” - ■■ The Sad Part. “You may win a beautiful girl with soft nothings.” “Well, well !” “But you can’t whisper that sort of stuff to the butcher.”

DISCOURAGING.

Charles —What was the reason you quit the club? Arthur —Reason enough! By the time I had worked three years to be elected treasurer and finally got it, they had decided to put in a cash register. Prejudiced. A dog’s a most engaging brute. He has a heart that’s true and warm; But when the kind the dames call "cute” We almost wish to do him harm. Modus Operand!. "I met your friend Spongely this morning.” c “How did he strike you?” “Said he’d left his change at home in his other trousers.” Her Preference. He —Couldn’t you find It agreeable to knit closer the ties of friendship between us? She—Couldn’t do It I’m tpo busy knitting socks. Too Small. Tess —Why does Flossie look so mad? Bess —A Johnny gave her a diamond garter and It’s too small to go round her waist. —Purple Cow.

SHAKESPEARE.

De Actor —A horse —a horse! Me kingdom for a hor-r-rse! . Gallery God—Machine broke down again?

Very Comforting. "If money is really vocal. Then, by George!’’ said Harold Hupp. "It’s an optimistic talker. For it cheers a fellow up.” ■ Tee Hee. ■ "Say, you know a troupe of these trained fleas ain’t a bad stunt,” said the facetious feller. "Whadya mean, ain’t a bad stunt?” asked his friend, the stage carpenter. “Why, look how handy they are making these long jumps.” The Plain Truth. She—Would you love me any better if I had a million dollars? He—Certainly not. I’d be thinking so much about the million I’d hardljj tWnk of youat all,