The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1936-10-09
Lights Of NewXok
by L. L. STEVENSON

Scarlet Countenance: A gentle.
man whose acquaintance is vast
and who prides himself on never
forgetting face, stood at the curb
while his wife went into q bakery
establishment to make some pur-
chases for the family dinner. After
waiting what seemed to him an
eternity, he followed her inside. The
store was doing an excellent busi-
ness and the entire counter was
lined with women each intent on
getting service from the harassed
sales force. Surveying the line and
picking out his wife, the gentleman
stole softly up behind her and with
a playful spank, whispered, Don't
spend all your money, dear"
Whereupon the lady turned and re-
vealed a face he had never seen
before. And in his hasty retreat,
whom should he meet only few
feet away but lady who glared
at him with all storm signals set.
That was his wife of course, and
she. having witnessed the whole
proceeding, is still mentioning it on
the most embarrassing occasions.
Signs of the Times: Quite often
in trips here and there under
ground, I've noticed persons con-
versing with their fingers. It struck
me that New York has an extraor-
dlnarily large population of mutes
SO, by means of pencil and paper,
l took the matter up with q speech
less friend. He informed me that
many of those whom I saw COM
municating by signals in the SUBJ
way were not using the official sign
language but were merely saving
wear and tear on their voices by
using their hands and thus making
themselves understood over the rat
tie and roar of the trains. Also
some who use the real language
have all their faculties and use
the signs of mutes to communicate
confidential matters when among
others. Some beggars who pre-
tend to be deaf and dumb learn
the signs as matter of self-protec-
ton. Alert cops are quick to detect
fake signs and the takers go to the
workhouse.
Changing of the Guard: The other
afternoon in the lobby of the Wal
dorf-Astoria, two full platoons of
page and bell boys appeared from
nowhere, marched along with the
precision of Roxy ushers, wheeled.
saluted, fell out and took up posts
in various hooks and corners. In
curry developed the tact that the
ceremony is regular thing oc-
curing daily at a. m. and D. m.
and attracting many states from
guests and others. The march of
the trinity uniformed lads begins at
the Lexington avenue foyer and
ends at the Park avenue entrance
OF the hotel. 1t is all over in a
rev minutes but attracts lot of
attention nevertheless.
Modern Maze: The new Triboro
bridge is a great time-saver for
motorists who go to Long Island
from the Bronx or the other wav
around, as it makes it unnecessary
LOT them to get into downtown traf-
nc and cuts the mileage no little
but young man from Detroit
VINO desired to travel from Wash.
ington Heights to Jones Beach. dis
covered that even a S64, OOO. 600 short
cut may prove otherwise. After
paying % cents toll, he drove eavIv
ohto the bridge and finally reached
the END. A little farther on. he
asked how to get to the beach and
was told to take the Triboro bridge
Not until then did he discover thai
ne was back to where h. started
from. The reason was that he had
maze wrong turn and hadn't
noted a sign. But no matter the
reason, the bridge receipts were
Increased rs cents since, in order to
get back on, he had to part u;th
another quarter.
City Scene: The decrepit horse
OF Junkman collapsing just after
II mas been speeded across lower
broadway to beat the change of
light. The usual crowd col
lecting. An officious police
man taking charge, forcing back
the spectators and making notes
The junkman answering in
a choking voice. 1t wasn't
much of a horse. But IL
brought him living. At home
were wife and six kids and
he couldn't figure out the future.
Subway Eavesdropping: Her
husband is good provider - he
provides her with a swell alib;
whenever he stays out late at
night"