NEW HAMPSHIRE: Out of the Sticks

In its best legal manner, the staid old law firm of Root, Ballantine, Harlan, Bushby & Palmer harrumphed out a letter. It went to John K. Hill, an innkeeper in Center Ossipee, N.H. "It has come to the attention of our client, Hotels Statler Co., Inc., that you are using for your own inn the term 'The Statler of the Sticks' ... It is contrary to the policy of the Statler Co. to permit the use of its name," etc., etc.

In Center Ossipee (pop. 1,500), Innkeeper Hill hitched up his trousers and made reply:

"Gentlemen—Now I suppose that if I do...