Democratic banner., 1847-04-26
UNCERTAINTY OF THE LAW.

In a certain town in Normandy, Ike au.
thoritios, for divers reasons tl.ereunto NOV
ing, thought properto issue a proclamation
to the effect that none of the worthy :n!,abi-
tants, under a severe penalty, should str
about alter sunset without a lantern. Well.
1t CHANGED the very same evening, a man
was seized and incontinently taken before
the dispenser of justice, 10 be dealt witt.
according TO the now law.
Il an exceedingly sorry said the chief
officer, recognizing the individual, sthat a
citizen Of your responsibility and station
should be the first 10 infringe en- the new
regulation
q would not willingly do so,' said the
man, cooily.
'Havc You not read it?'
Certainly said tie captured party; ebut
may have unfortunately misunderstood it
Will Monsieur obligo nc by reading it, that
/ may learn of what am g%ui!ty?:'
The officer graciously complied, and af-
ter glibiy running over the verbose prcam-
bic, came to the point, shat no inhabitant
shall stir abroad after sunset withouta Ian
term which he certainly delivered with
peculiar emphasis, to the admiration of the
fellow who had taken the man into custody,
and was ~twirling his fingers, impatient to re-
ccive his Inoicty Of the fine.
share a lantern, Monsieur firmly con.
tended the man, holding it up to view.
Eyes, but there is no candle in it, reD!i-
ed the officer, with a smile.
'Ihc proclamation does not mention a.
cGndj", l believe, Monsieur, replied the
cunning fellow, most respectfully.
"A candlc?-but Of coursc-'becan the
informcr, trembling lest he should lose the
fish he lad hooked.
st does not mention n oendlc, and com
tend, monsieur, I have not intringcd on the
law persisted the G~uibblcr. 'The words
arc-'withoUt a lantern'-and here it isl
'Iiem.' cried the officer, endeavoring To-
conceal the confusion occasioned By his
by pcring over the aforesaid COPY
Of the proclamation. 81 must confess there
is an omission, and | am happy to give you
the benefit of it. The case is dismissed
The informer was not only defeated, but
rather alarmed, when The prisoner called to!
his mind certain act which rendered HIM
the aforesaid in!ormant) liable to heavy
damages for false Imprisonment, &C., and
the poor fellow was fain 10 avert the indic-
ton of an action Of the law, by disbursiag
certain sun in hard cash to the accused.
But 10! on the next evening he again en-
countered his dear acquaintance, and to his
infinite delight, ltc bc!.cld the same %uniIlu-It
lantern in his hand; but an amend
ed proclamation had been issued that morn-
ing with the words, 'that no inhabitant
should stir without a lantern and 4 canLlcli
The inforiner chucklcd at the ignorance
If the man who had SO cooIly victimizcdI'
lin on the preceding night, and with a de- =
tire to revenge, and with a certain pros It
,ect Of the restitution Of the muict which !
It had suffered, he, with s~ncering politeness, i
'equcstcd the honor Of his company to the
usticc room. :
Really, til sinpossible to resist the anna c
lie opportunities of a gentleman who pays o
UGH delicate compliments and-such good q
:oin!' replied the man; and away he walk :,
d, chatting good hnmoredIy, and joking t
With his delighted captor. h
what. again?' u
Il hope Monsieur will do me the honor to !,
emembcr that my former appearance was n
lot only against my inclination, but against c
he law SAID tho prisoner. o
REALLY, the proceedings are very vcxa- P
ious, and a
'Have you read the proclamation.9' inter- h
upted the officer. y
Monsieur did me the favor to read it on v
y last night b
Il will read it again for your edification, IL
cplied the officer, and he looked furtively :,