Charges Reversed. At Stanford University, Vance Sheffey, pinched for driving his car backwards, explained that he had rented the car on a mileage basis, was trying to keep mileage down.

Special Rate. In Berkeley, Calif., a University of California student had his rent raised from $60 to $7,200 a month, explained: "My landlady doesn't like me."

Kickback. In Chicago, Leo Zientek, eviction bailiff for 20 years, received a court order to boot himself out of his own apartment.

Firm Foundation. In Sweet Springs, Mo., Harvey House and Herb Lotz set up a real-estate firm, called it House & Lotz.

Grand Slam, Declared. In Lair, Ky., the State Highway Department condemned a 200-foot bridge; 30 minutes later it collapsed into the South Licking River.

Country Life. In Manhattan, the Public Service Commission reported some of the things Long Island commuters have to put up with: during June, 1,663 trains ran late, losing commuters a total of 20,691 minutes (14 days).

Diehard. In Kansas City, John Davis tried unsuccessfully to end it all by 1) swallowing iodine; 2) taking merthiolate; 3) sticking his head into a gas stove; 4) shooting himself in the head; 5) drowning himself in the bathtub; was about to slit his throat when police arrived.

Deadeye. In Maiden, Mass., George Ross, tangled in a conveyor belt, chucked tin cans at a wall switch, hit it, shut off the power, saved his life.

Mental Cruelty. In Phoenix, Ariz., Frank Perkins sued for divorce, told the judge: "Well, your honor, on five occasions she hit me over the head with an ax. . . . If this keeps up, somebody's going to get hurt." Divorce granted.

Pennywise. In Portland, Ore., sidewalk orator Phillip Baker demanded that police protect his right of free speech, complained that every time he opened his mouth a listening drunk tossed in a penny.

Vital Industry. In Miami Beach, the National Institute of Diaper Services postponed its annual convention, gave its reason: diapermen were too busy with a "bumper crop of babies."

Tear Drops. In Okanogan, Wash., in the midst of a wedding ceremony, the bride burst into tears and precipitously fled when Groom Deputy Sheriff Eldon Barker accidentally dropped a tear-gas bomb.

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