The Eighth Commandment. In Long Beach, Calif., Librarian Theodora Brewitt announced with relief that 1948 had been an unusual year: no one had stolen a Bible from the city library.

Higher Learning. In Olympia, Wash., St. Martin's College devoted its regular weekly science seminar to a new subject: "The mathematical analysis of a crap game."

Extenuation. In St. Louis, Postman Fred Knussman pleaded guilty to destruction of mail, but pleaded that he burned letters only when his arthritis was bothering him.

Moderation. In Quito, Ecuador, Bersabe Cachago refused to press charges against her husband, explained that she does not really mind his beating her if he doesn't beat too hard.

Light Fingers. In McKeesport, Pa., Automobile Dealer John C. Smouse complained to police that someone had stolen a new Lincoln right out of his display window.

Matter of Record. In St. Louis, the Governmental Research Institute announced the results of a survey in the city's magistrate courts: two stenographers didn't know shorthand, another couldn't type.

Textbook. In Little Rock, police caught up with a youth who had broken into an automobile, made off with a magazine called Crime Does Not Pay.

Handicap. In Redwood City, Calif., Theodore A. Fischer explained to the court that his $40-a-week alimony payments would have to be reduced, now that the police had closed down his bookmaking business.

Bad Form. In London, a judge gave George Edward Croxford a month in jail for biting the nose of Arthur McCartney, added sternly that such behavior was "not British."

Solomon. In Tulsa, District Judge Horace D. Ballaine fretted over the custody of a car belonging to a couple awaiting their divorce, finally awarded it to the husband for business, to the wife for weekend shopping.

Crystal Gazer. In Washington, Michael Prencipe, 18, prophesied to a Times-Herald inquiring photographer that 1949 "will be a good year for everyone," next day was arrested for housebreaking and bail-jumping by police who recognized his picture.

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