Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-13
TAKING IT COOLLY.
HOW a Lawyer Outwitted a Police

man,
The story of Harrison Gray Otis and the
tiding man is thus related:
OTIS was travelling in the State of Con-
neclicus. Il was before railroad cars had
begun 10 break mems bones on Sundays
He had an important cause TO argue in
Boston on Monday, and having been
detained in New York until Sat-
Urdsy, he left That city in his gig, rode
on till late Saturday night, when he put
up at New England village inn, aud re.
sumed his Journey Sunday morning. He
had rode but a few steps from the tavern
before a grave parsonage, known as ''tid-
iBg-msn," stepped up, took his horse by the
head, and coo.ly informed Mr.. Oils that he
Was arrestt d for travelling on the Sabbath,
and must proceed with him to the Jail. Mr.
Otis replied:
''Sir, 1 respect The day and the Law, but |
shall be obliged to break your head as well
as the Sabbath il you do nos let me quietly
go on my way.'
But the officer was not TO be blufad off
in this manner. He said he knew his duty
and should do It. ar. Dis then drew out
from his portm nteau a volume which the
official recognized as the statues of the
State, ana remarked, very 5landly.
"Nell, my friend, il won't do any hurt to
look a. the law a little"
dob, no." said The tiding man. "You
viii find it all there"
MIR. o is read aloud, ''if any person shall
be guilty of Sabbath breaking as aforesaid,
it shall be lawful for the tiding- man to ar
rest aud stop him." and then he added,
''the Law is against me, must submit"
'Well, them r'joinei the tiding.man,
''you must make up your mind to quarter
in the lock up iii tomorrow; so, if you
please, we will ii e back together"
s'Oh IOw retOred OILS, "that will never
do. l don't intend that you shall ride back,
or anywhere else with me, to day. The
statute reads, mind yod, that you shall 'ar-
rest and Stop that's all. You can stop me
as long as you please; but that is t e extent
of your power, The law SAYS no hing at
all about You carrying me off 10 the lock-
up, nor OF You riding in my gig on the
Sabbath, either"
It was very stormy day. The poor
tidiEg-nan was already completely
dreEched; AID the prospect Of standing by
the gig all day and night in a muddy road
was uy no means either pleasant or com
psi.le with the dignity Of his Office.
-4A4' OL4o aEdl4i I6p6dOeu, Will 6UIu6
cCmposure, 81 still wish you 10 consider,
sir, lbas l am our prisoner-for SO reads
tn lew; nothing more. You can go hack
Ty-'i please, but intend to stop where i
am"
80 sewing, the old lawyer drew bis cloak
around him, and made preparations for a
quiet suOoae till Monday morning, if the
tiCing Iuan maintained his watch until that
far cistant day. The poor fellow looked as
blue as indigo, and really felt quite as
uncomfortable as young goslng in
3 shower. He gszed a moment OF
two II the composed expression
Of tie sheltered and complacent
lawyer, and without saying word-for his
feelings we're too big for utterance-he re-
linquishsd bis prey, aud went home TO med
iJae o. the mysteries of the law and the
palmer precepts of the gospel.
MIR. Otis fingered just long enough to per-
mt the officer to get fairly around the cor
Der, ana then proceeded on his journey.