The Washington herald., 1917-10-13

New York, Oct. 12-Prominent men
in Gotham are doing their bit in New
York by serving as Minute Men.
II is their duty to be ready at any
time to appear at theaters between
acts. or at movie palaces between
reels, to help whip the national
Inertia into an enthusiastic froth by
a four-minute oratorical appeal
One of the minute orators is Cope
land Townsend. the hotel man. He
| had at odd moments menorized his
speech and sat around in his private
office awaiting the call
The other afternoon the phone
tinkled at his desk. 1t was from head
quarters to appear at q movie theater
on Lexington avenue. Mr.. Townsend
galloped out of his private office into
chugging, taxicab at the curb and
was soon dashing on his way.
To be sure of himself he began re-
citing his speech in the taxicab. And
he interpolated his speech with the
proper gestures. From time to time
the beetle-browed taxi driver looked
in upon his fare. saw him talking
to himself and waving his arms. The
driver tapped his head knowingly.
After a devious route the taxicao
drew up shortly. Mr.. Townsend look
ed out the window. 1t was not on
Lexington avenue. Where are wer'
be called, through the speaking tube.
Its all right, mister" was the con-
soling reply. lust keep quiet. You'll
be all right They'll be nice to you
here"
Mr.. Townsend looked again and saw
before him the drab walls of the
psychopathic ward at Bellevue. He
leaped from the taxi, caught an
other passing and arrived at the
theater barely in time to deliver his
patriotic treat.
As hospital internes came out to the
taxi, the driver explained: ct had a
nut here who was fuzzy in the konk.
He needed the strait-jacket, but he got
away from me-"
The LIST Of October in New York is
an event in domestic history of apart
ment house dwellers comparable only
to a young earthquake. 1t is moving
| time-the time of annual exodus to
fresh fields of damned dumbwaiters.
| stalled elevators, fresh hallboys and
janitors with sedentary dispositions.
Men who have wondered all year IL
the chap next door would like to sit in
| at little game observe the new
corners apprehensively. Every apart
ment dweller fairly reeks with curl
| osity. All of which leads up to the
telephone call the other day, telling an
| employer why Jones wouldn't come to
work that day.
''Mornin'. boss" was the saluta ton.
This is Jones' Can't come down to
| work today. Wife won't femme. The
folks overhead that's been raising Cain
all winter and maxim life miserable
for us below is movin'. and I've gotter
stay all day at the front window with
the missus and help her sheer at their
furniture"
Seen around the town: A Hindu
yogi. with his crystal ball. entering a
| Fifth avenue home. A sign on a
Westchester road reading: Wanted
A woman horseshoer." A woman CO.
caine victim weeping in front of the
Palais Royal. Lillian Russell and her
husband applauding a poor act in vau-
deville. Guy Bolton, the playwright
standing in the shadows watching the
crowds enter the lobby to see his new
play. A man peddling goldfish on
Broadway. A Western governor eat
ing at Childs'. A group of French SAL
lors trying to whistle THE Star Span
gied Banner" A little japanese cir
taking a nap under a flower bush in
Central Park. A girl artist taking her
mormoset to Washington square tea.
A woman and a man quarreling on the
steps Of a big church. A Wall street
banker driving his automobile through
heavy traffic for mental relaxation.