Evening star., 1963-01-02
jim BISHOP


lief's Magazine was big and
blunt, there was an editor
on the staff who was a pixy-
isff. He was James N. Young.
His speciality was the short
story. He could-and often
didAread six paragraphs OF
a-yarn and could relate the
rest of it and even tell where
the plot had been stolen.
Young was to the short
story what the DeBeers are
to diamonds. He could not
be fooled. He was short and
small-boned and delicate,
with neatly plastered pepper
and-salt hair and he had the
manners of a British butler.
One summer, he sat and
wrote a little book called
"l0I Plots Used and Aubsed."
IT. wasn't a best seller, but,
among writer's, it has become
q bible.
IN THE GROUP are some
real literary horrors:
Henry Smithers murders
hiswife. He wants it to look
IKE suicide. So he puts her
head in the oven and turns
On The gas. Henry goes on
IL alusiness trip. When he
gets back, police arrest him
Tor murder. The gas COM
pany, tired of waiting for It's
money, had turned the gas
off the day before the muir
der.
Judson King buys some
Jewels on Saturday afternoon
anospays with a check. The
banks are closed. so he asks
that the gems be delivered to
his hotel Monday, after the
chkok has been verified. Then
he goes to a barber shop, and
talks about a clever purchase
he has made. All pure gems,
and all paid for with a nice
paper check. The barber tips
off the jeweler. The jeweler
has Judson King arrested. On
Monday morning, the check
turns out to be good, and Mr..
King sues for false arrest,
and collects.
Two thieves. processing
eternal friendship and loyal
ty, work together on a bank
robbery. They take the loot
to a hideout, where they cele-
brate with dinner. Both are
found dead at the table. Each
poisoned the other.
Pickpocket is working a
jewelry store. He sees a de-
tective approaching, slips the
loot into pocket of stranger
beside him. Cop searches the
pickpocket, finds rings and
watches. Stranger beside him
has fled. He too was a pick
pocket.
Suspicious husband starts
off to work, forgetS some
thing, and returns to house.
Hears voices upstairs: his
wife and a man. Is tempted
to go up and confront them,
decides it would be better to
leave her. Does so. Is ar
rested three days later in far
off town. Charge: murder
ing his wife. Man she had
been talking to was intruder
wIlos killed her. Law will not
believe husbands story.
Wolf-type goes to Atlantic
City, meets nice girl. Pre-
tends to fall in love. Uses
name of an old friend. Girl
fails. for him. In time, he
leaEes for home. Three
months later. his friend gets
letter saying that girl died
suddenly. left her wealth to
him.
Two one-time lovers, now
old start correspondence.
Agree they should have mar
ried 30 years ago. Arrange to
meet in New York hotel lob
by. Each will wear a red
flower. as Identification.
They never meet. Each takes
a sneaky look at the other,
AND. steals away. No more
letters.
GIRL IN NEW YORK takes
train to Albany. On a facing
seat are two men: one young
and handsome, sincere-look-
ing; the other middle-aged,
fat and greasy. Young man
starts pleasant conversation.
He and girl talk until train
pulls into Ossining station.
Fat one stands, says Come
on, kid" and pulls young
man on handouts as they
go off TO Sing Sing.
Lawyer assumes defense OF
old friend charged with mur-
der Is convinced the man is
guilty Lawyer risks his Ca
reer 70 bribe one juror TO
hold out for second degree
conviction. After trial, pays
off juror who says: That
was a tough Job. The rest Of
them wanted TO acquit your
man.
April. 1912 Irish sailor and
two others escape from sink
ing fishing boat. Spend five
days in leaky lifeboat. Food
low. water low. Sailor kills
two friends, so that he will
survive. Next night, sees ship
with many lights. Sailor is
rnscind When he pnIs q hna I'd