Page:Newspaper writing and editing.djvu/86

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(1)

Three unknown bandits robbed a conductor on the Hartford and North Haven Electric Railroad at the Westlawn siding shortly before midnight, and secured about $25. One of the robbers covered the motorman with a revolver while the other two went through the pockets of the conductor. No passengers were in the car.


(2)

Government ownership of telegraph lines is urged by Postmaster-General Hitchcock in his annual report made to Congress today.


(3)

Fire of unknown origin damaged the four story warehouse of Louis Berowitz & Co., wholesale wine dealers, 131 Arlington Court, early this morning, causing a loss of $5,000.


(4)

Vivid blue and green lights playing about Brooklyn Bridge led early risers to believe that the structure was on fire. A broken live wire coming in contact with a steel girder, electricians found, was responsible for the unexpected illumination.


A participial phrase, as the first group of words, is often a convenient form in which to "play up" a significant feature. The participle must always modify the subject of the sentence. The "hanging" or "dangling" participle which does not modify the subject, and the participle used substantively as the subject, are faults to be avoided. The effective use of the participial phrase is shown in the following leads:—


(1)

Speeding homeward from Europe to see their daughter who is ill in Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Spraugton arrived here on the Mauretania this morning and an hour later were on board an 18-hour train for Chicago.