(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)
TWO WOMEN ON A DEAD MAN’S CHEST
FOR 20 long years, Ruth had lived with Bertie. And twenty years are not twenty days, she reminded Magistrate Dan Debidin the other day. She had given the best twenty years of her life to Bertie.

Now that he is dead, the least she could expect in return is that she be given Bertie’s earthly belongings.

That, according to Ruth, included his clothing.

It would seem, however, that the now deceased Bertie had departed from Ruth’s home shortly before his demise.

And had taken lodging at Sheila’s mother, where the ‘Grim Reaper’ found him.

Under these circumstances, therefore, it was only natural that Bertie’s clothing should be where he last lived on this earth — that is at the home of Sheila’s mother.

It was when Ruth came to claim the dead man’s apparel that she and Sheila came to loggerheads.

So they decided to end it in Court, before Mr Debidin.

“Sir, she come and ask me for some clothing,” Sheila told Mr Debidin. “A dead man’s clothes too,” she stressed spitefully.

“Which dead man is this,” asked Mr Debidin, intrigued by the declaration.

“And how did you get this clothing?”

“Well, he come to live with my mother before he died,” Sheila explained.

Let’s get it straight
“Wait! Wait!” Mr Debidin stopped her. “Let me get this dead man’s story straight.”

“Is a married man,” Sheila ignored the Court’s plea.

“And his wife is alive?”

“Yes, Sir,” Sheila replied.

“Well, that makes it even more complicated,” declared Mr Debidin. “It would seem that the wife is entitled to the clothing.”

“Sir, I was living with this man twenty years; twenty long years,” Ruth put in. “Not twenty days,” she stressed.

“He fell down dead on the boxing ground.” Ruth gave some background information on the passing away of Bertie.

“He died intestate. He rented a room from her mother, and he took his clothes there. Is lots of clothes, Sir, because Bertie was a sailor,” Ruth declared.

As she ticked off the items on her fingers, it would seem that Bertie had been possessed of a replete wardrobe.

“After he died, I went to Brickdam and took a copy of the Will…”

“But I thought you said he died intestate,” Mr Debidin pointed out: “If he had a Will, he did not die intestate…”

Slip of the tongue
“A slip of the tongue,” Ruth excused her blunder. “And her mother didn’t even want to give him the serge suit to bury him in.”

“Did you get the serge suit to bury poor Bertie?” asked Mr Debidin.

“Only after I carry a Policeman,” Ruth explained.

“And what part did her mother play in the funeral?” Mr Debidin asked.

“Is I bury him,” Ruth announced proudly.

“Well! It is peculiar… leaving the will for you and living with her before he died,” observed Mr Debidin.

When Ruth did not answer, Mr Debidin asked: “What did you want the clothing for?”

“I feel that I am deserving of them…”

“But what are you going to do with them?”

“Sell them, Sir,” Ruth admitted, and was not embarrassed about it either.

“But suppose her mother wants some of the clothing as a keepsake? Why don’t you give them some?”

“They don’t want some; they want all,” replied Ruth.

“I can’t understand you women!” Mr Debidin finally gave up in disgust.

“After squabbling over the man, you are now squabbling over his clothes now that he is dead.”

“I have the Will,” Ruth repeated, as she delved into a bulky seaman’s wallet to prove her claim.

“Look! She has his passport,” Sheila cut in, pointing to the wallet Ruth held.

“Yes! I have his passport!” Ruth boasted.

“Yes! You have his passport; her mother has his clothes…I wonder what his wife has?”

“Sir, she always coming molesting me mother for the dead man’s clothes,” Sheila complained.

But by this time, Mr Debidin had had enough of it.
No doubt, Bertie must have been laughing in his grave as Mr Debidin scored it even and told both women to leave the Court.
(Guiana Graphic: October 8, 1959)

(2)
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All the typewriter you’ll ever need for only $125. (Cash or easy terms)
The ‘big machine’ features of the Empire Aristocratic Portable typewriter make it ideal for business, professional use and students. Its light weight and compactness make it convenient for travelling. What’s more, even if you are just learning to type, you’ll find it easier, more fun on an Empire Aristocrat.
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30 Main Street Georgetown.
(Guiana Graphic: October 4, 1959)

(3)
DOMESTICS FOR CANADA
-30 selected
WITHIN the next few days, the 30 domestics selected for jobs in Canada will leave BG.

From the large number who applied, these were selected:
J Thompson; G Rock; V Vincent; H Chester; L Skeete; E Barker; D Semple; I Clyne; C McArthy; M Meertins; G Willoughby; E Edwards; D Quamina; P Banfield; E Miller; J Moore; T Farinha; J Armogan; V Pilgrim; G Baird; Z Ross; J Archer; G Stephens; C France; B Hinds; J Nedd; E Marshall; O Holder; B Downer; V Downer.

(Guiana Graphic: October 4, 1959)
(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the above articles at cswcb@yahoo.com or 657-2043)