Sinner in Our Midst. In Fort Worth, while the Rev. Arizona Brisco, assistant pastor of the Rising Star Baptist Church, was waist-deep in the crowded baptismal pool, a thief made off with his trousers, wallet, $81.

Citizens' Navy. At Newport, R.I., after a Navy Relief Society benefit "election" on the destroyer Hale, Gunner's Mate Arnold E. Bukovsky, the titlewinner, consoled his commanding officer after the latter ran fourth as "Grouchiest Man Aboard Ship."

Business Trip. In Gaffney, S.C., Markie Bellew, arrested for assault & battery, escaped from the county jail, hiked 20 miles to Spartanburg, returned next day with a bondsman who bailed him out for $500.

Lineage. In Chicago, charged with draft-dodging, James Pharr, 25, failed to make his point and drew a five-year sentence after telling the court that he was exempt from service because he was related to the Neanderthal man, was therefore an alien "Asiatic."

Pilot Service. In Albuquerque, Juvenile Judge Edwin L. Swope acquitted a 12-year-old of charges of violating the teen-age curfew after he learned that the boy had gone out late to bring his mother home from a bar.

Insomniac. In Phoenix, after drilling through the door of the Parkway drugstore, a burglar passed up money and other valuables, chose three bottles of sleeping pills, disappeared into the night.

Capacity to Pay. In Davenport, Iowa, when Displaced Person Ignauy Stachal told police that he was broke and needed a place to sleep, he got a cell in the municipal jail, was politely ushered out next morning when the cops found $1,023 in his wallet.

New Era. In Portsmouth, R.I., the town council proclaimed the end of a 53-year-old ordinance prohibiting speeds greater than 10 m.p.h. within the town's limits.

Superservice. In Washington, Ind., state officials, investigating misuse of public funds, charged that the city had been billed for $240 worth of college courses taken by the police chief, fire chief and one patrolman, who were studying How To Win Friends and Influence People.

Sense of Humor. In New York City, headed for a European tour, Mrs. Virginia Roth, 25, woke up in a Manhattan hotel to find missing 1) her husband Marvin, 2) all her extra clothes, 3) $3,700 in cash, later explained to police: "He's quite a practical joker."

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