Life, 1927-03-10 · page 34 of 38
Life — March 10, 1927 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents Robert Benchley's serialized humorous story about a Vermont trial gone absurdly wrong. The premise: a man named Roscoe Erkle is repeatedly tried for an unspecified crime, but each presiding judge mysteriously dies during proceedings—each bearing a suspicious red mark behind the right ear. The satire mocks legal inefficiency and bureaucratic absurdity: Vermont, unable to afford continued judicial losses, eventually abandons prosecution, allowing Erkle to walk free despite multiple suspicious deaths seemingly linked to him. The judges' deaths appear possibly connected to Erkle (who grows increasingly dapper between trials), yet nothing is proven. The joke for contemporary readers was Benchley's wry commentary on slow, repetitive legal proceedings and judicial system vulnerabilities—suggesting Vermont's justice system prioritizes fiscal concerns over actual justice. The story trades in grotesque coincidence for comedic effect.
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Life ARLI 20R Cc EIGARE Rez Mild as as Me O Marlboro, the only cigarette that ever became famous in One Short Year Marlbore B sent free uf Created by PHILIP MORRIS & Co. 44 West [Sth St. Fascinating Crimes (Continued from page 9) Another trial was called for Oc- tober 10, again in St. Albans, This time Judge Walter M. Bondy was presiding, and the same two attor- neys opposed each other. Roscoe Erkle had, during the summer, raised a red beard and looked charming. second day of the trial, MeNell was reading the ry, Judge Bondy passed away quietly at his bench, with the same little red spot behind his right ear that had characterized the c: daver of his predecessor. The trial was again halted, and a new one set for the following May. BY this time, the matter had be- come one for serious concern. Erkle was questioned, but his only reply was: “Let them mind their own business, then.” He had now begun to put pomade on his beard and had it parted in the middle, and, as a result, had married one of the richest spinsters in that section of Vermont. We need not go into the repetitious account of the succeeding trials. Suffice it to say that the following May Judge Rapf died at his post, the following October Judge Orsenigal, the May following that a Judge O'Heel, who had been imported from New Hampshire without being told the history of the case, and the suc- ceeding solstices saw the mysterious deaths of Judges Wheefer (the coun- sel for the defense in the first trial, who had, in the meantime, been ap- pointed Judge because of his deaf- ness), Rossberg, Whelan, Rock, and Brady. And, in each case, the little telltale mark behind the ear, The State then decided to rest its case and declare it nol-prossed. Judges were not so plentiful in Ver- mont that they could afford to go on at this rate. Erkle was released on his own recognizance, took up the study of 1. and is, at latest counts, a well-to-do patent attorney in Oldham. Every } and every October he reports at St. Albans to sce if they want to try him again, but the Court laughingly postpones the case until the next term, holding its hand over its right ear the while. Epitor’s Note—Another of Mr. Benchley’s ludicrously whimsi- will be cal “Fascinating Crimes” published soon. Cream of Seoteh Homespuns, dircet lengths by post, $2.00 per yd. Samples free on stat shades desired, NEWALL, 277 Stornoway, Scotland. Old Money Wanted 3:0 0‘ 1894 Dime, 8. Mint.. $50.00 for 1913 Liberty Head Nickel (not Buf- falo). Ls Aer remiums paid for il rare coins. Bend 4c for Large Colo Folder. ‘Stay mean much profit NUMISMATIC CO., Dept. 110, Ft. ‘Worth, Tex. ies 4 out of 5 Pay the Price Pyorrhea is a ruthless enemy that strikes 4 sons out of § past 40 Cthousands y 3 hey pay the high price of neglect. Pyorrhea | sweeps through the system, often causing rheu matism, neuritis, anemia and facial disfigurement. Never pay this price. See your dentist at leas twice a year and start using Forhan’s for the Gums, today. This dentifrice containing Forhan’s Pyorthea Liquid used by dentists everywhere if | time, thwarts Pyorrhea or checks its course. It | firms gums and makes them strong. It teeth against acids which cause decay. Ic keeps | them a lustrous white. Use Forhan’s morning and night. Teach your children to use it. They'll like the tas Forhan’s. Ie is health insurance. Ac all drug- Bists—35¢ and 6oc. Formula of R. J. Forban, D. D.S Forhan Company, New York Forharrs for the gums MORE THAN A TOOTH PASTE -1T CHECKS PYORRHEA Clark’s Famous Cruises OY CUNARD LINE BIG NEW O1L-BURNERS at rates including hotels, guides, drives, fees. N (e) RWAY AND WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN 52 DAYS, $600 to $1300 Third Cruise ss ‘*LANCASTRIA” July 2 to the sunny Mediterranean—visiting its lands so replete with history, ro- mance and legend, and to Norway, the scenic wonderland of the earth. Itinerary includes Lisbon, (Madrid), Spain, (Granada), Tangier, Algiers, Italy, the Riviera, Sweden, Nor Scotland, (Paris-London), Germa European stop-overs. Jan. 16, '28; Around the World 8th Cruise; 125 days; $1250 to $3000. Jan.25,’28; To the Mediterranean South Africa—India Cruise; Jan. 25, '28 FRANK C. CLARK, Times Bldg., N. Ye comicbooks.com