The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-02-08
TODANS
 SPORTAPARADE. :. Mf&6t|Bl1!
Rx HENRY McLEMORE
United Press Staff Correspondent

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 Daytona Beach, Fla, Feb. 8.-(UP) In my morning mail, enclosed in a pastel tinted wrapper, was a let ter from Wichita gentlewoman de- manding in angry Spencerian that do story on bridge.
 She pointed out that 15,000,000 persons in this country play bridge, and that certainly it was of more interest than such silly sports as football, golf, tennis, and all the others I use for subject matter. The word silly" is my correspondents.
 Never one to question woman's judgment I sat down and tried to figure out an angle from which to attack an article on bridge. first thought of recalling my experiences as one of the intrepid band who covered the great Culbertson-Lenz marathon of several years ago. That match as I recall it, lasted three weeks, or exactly two weeks and six days longer than the champagne which Culbertson had promised the press would be theirs for the dura- tion.
 Grandmother Sharp" I abandoned that one, however, on the grounds that it was buried 1 too deeply in the past, and launched human interest story on 8 certain Mrs. Adams, with whom played ill certain tournaments Mrs. Adams was three years older than but ton Gwinnett signature, and her only compromise with youth were the bone stays she wore in her col lar I drew her for partner and when we sat down (our opponents had not arrived at the time) she asked, MT. McLemore, what Sys- tenn do you play?"
 I did my best to explain the one overcome, overlapping grip system which I employed.
 And wt~e system do you use, Mrs. AdamS?" queried.
 She gave me a smile that con- tained all the warmth of all the smiles ever smiled by grandmothers the world over. With her dear lit- tie face, lace cap, and snow white hair she made Whistler's mother look like a tyrant.
 well" she answered after some deliberation, T don't use any one particular system. But you will mo- tice when lead singleton, al- ways lead 1t with my left hand"
 Thanks to the luck of the cards Mrs. Adams held many SingletonS that night, and worked her left arm more than Carl Hubbell does in 10-inning game. Always quick one on the uptake, I didn't miss more than three or four of them all eve ming, and Mrs. Adams and won the first prize Gan ivory miniature of the statue of justice) with little or no trouble.
 And a week later we were well on our way to top prize in a county competition when she unfortunately was stricken with neuralgia in her left arm, and we lost by few hun dred points.
 Signal Stuff
 nave told thlS story 10 several of my bridge playing friends and they intimated to me that the team of Adams and McLemore were not ethical. I denied their charge with fervor. I can't see any difference between Mrs. Adams left arm and the various signals employed by the experts. Ours was just simpler more direct, that's all. have play ed with high-powered players and they have so many informative bids that their partner can tell within pip of what to expect in the way of help.
 had card from Mrs. Adams the other day and she is coming to Florida in week or two. She said she would like to play with me. but for me not to arrange any games for stakes higher than half cent a point. Seems her left arm is per- manently sore, and she has yet to completely master the wigging of her ears.