Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-25
by Harry Tucker.


favWito novelist and ono OF the
couiary's most famous writer's, like
1ohh MoroSo and tho lamented JAG
: ques Futrclle, absorbed lot OF In
SEPARATION from tho atmosphere yur-
rounding the throne OF Justice John.
In the nationally famous Police Court
In Richmond. Cabcll got there ahead
OF the others. He beat both of them
by several years. lie WAS younger.
however. than the others. and his
mind. therefore, was more susceptible
Ia tho atmospheric surroundings.
This atmosphere. IL may be said. In
passing, was always loaded with wise
old saws. philosophical musings.
humorous reparteo and numerous
smells OF varied degrees. 1t Is said
that Cebell started many OF the old
vaudeville Jokes that had their run
for several seasons and came back
to Richmond via the Bijou and Lyric
stages. He mas been charged with
,7or liz mating this:
Justice John had n suffering In
divIdual before him, and had incffcct-
ually tried to get him 20 talk. Turn
ing TO the man. Justice John said:
What IS your name?"
"rut-t-t-t-tut--t-t-- Xiz-z-Z- Zic."
After several attempts TO get IL out
Of the prisoner. Justice John asked
Sergeant Thomas:
Sergeant, what is this man
charged WITH"
without looking up from his book.
rs sergeant replied: II think he is
cfSrgcd with Seltzer.''
Carved Initials In Desk.
Tha, joke went AS far as the Win
ter Garden. and came back TO Rich
nond with IA Weber and Fields show.
Cabcil got no credit for IT. lie was
MI unknown Police Court reporter.
But no got to thinking. and when II
comes To head work. one must hand
James Branch Cabell a few bouton-
nieres. He had n long head. He
:, also had n sharp knife. and during
IL moment of deep thought while sit
ting In the -by-four enclosure in
Police Court, set aside for reporters.
no absent mindcdly carved his ini-
tials In tho solid oak desk. Those
initials are there today. standing out
in relief. holder and larger than all
tho others.
As side Issue to his regular work
Of covering the Police Court. Cabcli
reviewed the magazines and book $
which were forwarded TO the literary
desk by tho publishers. Here is
where the opportunity of adding 10
his own viows on life was taken
advantage OF by the youthful Cabell.
He got a "by-line" to some of these
reviews. and IL was not long before
his regular name was known to his
fellow workers on the paper.
1t is said by some OF the envious
ones that james Branch Cabell
grabbed ideas which might well have
been credited to others. but those
who knew James well, and who loved
him. and had faith In him. threw
such thoughts to the winds. Young
Cabell in his apprentice days was
most accommod atinE in his efforts to
be OF service To his associates. He
always dressed well. looked neat, and
carried a cane. He was an easy vic
tim to the men on the stan. and never
:, turned down request for n loan
History has IL that upon one coca
sion young cabcli ''loancd out" and
was down TO the bottom OF his Jeans.
with nothing but street car ticket
left He lived UP on Franklin Street.
not far from Monroe Park, and In
order to save his ticket for the down
town trip the next day. he started
home by easy stages.
q Felt Gentle Tug Mt Elbow.
Monroe Park was long way of
in those days. and few peoplc at
tempted to foot 1t. But James Branch
seized his cane flercely and started
out. At Ninth and Main Streets he
stopped for moment to contem-
plate nature and get inspiration from
the surginG mass OF rushing human
ity at that busy corner. While con-
tcmplating the dizzy heights OF the
Chamber OF Commerce Building
across the street. he felt gentle tug
at his elbow. Turning. James b.
saw the pale, wrinkled face of an old
woman, with thrcadbare shawl
drawn tightly over her thin gray
hair. She carried n basket on her
arm. An empty basket.
PLEASE. sir whimpered the old
woman. please. sir. give me five
cents TO pay my carfaro to Fulton. I
have sick daughter there, and must
see her tonight"
James ID. c. gulped. Here was the
beginning of plot for n story He
felt all through his pockets, before
he remembered that the boys" at
the office had touched" him for his
last nickel.
;, II have no money" he said in a
? low voice. looking uneasily around,
I hope you will find your daughter
better" He slipped the little old
woman his last car ticket.
whfstied n Lifting Air.
Then he whistlcd lifting mir, and
moved up toward Broad Street. to get
y some moro Inspiration in looking in
the brightly lighted windows. No
one, gazing upon tho big round face
OF James Branch Cabell at that
moment would have thought him
penniless and far from homc-at
least fifteen blocks. lie gaily saun-
tered along the street, pausins
anon and anon, swinging his cane
jauntily and smiling benignantly up
on all alike. He stopped Mt win
dow just around tho corner from
/, Ninth Street, where a curious crowd
had collected watching an athlete
demonstrating a pair Of Indian clubs.
The young man In pink tights In the
window got careless. and in swing
.zg. his Clubs he smashed the glass,
which caused n stampede on the out
side, and when the smoke blew away.
Jimmie had lost his cane.
Cad. s'bodkins." calculated the
luckless youngster. He was berert
of tho only weapon left for self
defense In the won't OF an attack by
thugs bent upon taking his watch.
He removed his gloves and placed
al tv, to