Baby No. 3

Cardinal principle in comic-strip cartooning: Never permit your characters to change.

Most notable violator of that rule is Frank O. King, who draws "Gasoline Alley" for the Chicago Tribune Syndicate. Fourteen years ago grey-haired Cartoonist King singled out his favorite character, fat Bachelor Walt Wallet, surprised him one morning with a fondling infant on his doorstep. Thus Skeezix. As years rolled by Frank King let Skeezix grow out of babyhood. Meanwhile Walt had become prosperous, married his comely neighbor Phyllis Blossom. With careful delicacy Cartoonist King shielded her form and feelings during pregnancy until, six years ago, Baby Corkleigh ("Corky") was born to the Wallets. While Skeezix lengthened into gangling adolescence, "Corky," too, outgrew his infant tricks.

Last week, after days of rigmarole surrounding a "mysterious woman in black," Cartoonist King completed the cycle back to the patter of baby feet. In his parked automobile Walt Wallet discovered a new baby and a note. Excerpts:

"I entrust my baby to you, confident it will be cherished and cared for. I know all about Skeezix . . . and the love and devotion he has had at your hands for long years. . . . There is nowhere else in the world I would leave such a treasure. . . .

"Anguished Mother."

Frank King last week left Walt & Phyllis debating whether or not to "take on such a responsibility." But no reader who knew his comic strips expected for an instant that the baby would wind up in an orphanage. Also, since "Anguished Mother" stuck to the neuter gender in referring to "it," all odds pointed to a foster-sister for Skeezix & Corky.

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