Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-08-01
-4NlCT ENFORCEMENT
* OF LAW *
[Original.l


in Tokyo where a plumber was fixing
a waterspout received a sprinkle of
melted solder OH her dress. She turned
upon the poor man like fury. declar-
ing that the dress was ruined, that she
had just received it from its maker,
that it was worth 500, and demanding
that he pay the amount at once.
The plumber, who probably had new
er possessed half the amount i'll hi5
life, was very much chagrincd. He eX-
planned that his ladle had slipped and
the injury to the dress was entirely I'M
Intentional.
"That has nothing to do with the
matter. You ruined my dress, and you
shall pay for it. | think | know the
law well enough to be sure of my posi-
ton
But have not the money to pay"
"Thcn you shall so to jail
but, my noble lady. consider my
wife and children. While l am in Jail
they will starve."
Il have nothing to do with your wife
and children. l buy new dress; you
ruin it; l must have the cost, and you
must pay it. The misfortune is yours
The man was beside himself. He had
scarcely a dollar in the world. What
was he to do?
"Fll pay you dollar a week." he
said piteously. It'll all is paid"
THAT would take two years. No. l
must have my money now. Since you
will not pay you shall go before the
Justice He will find out whether you
have the money"
With that she called a policeman and
had the plumber taken before a JUS
tice. The court was in session, and
after waiting awhile the lady secured
hearing. She told her side of the
case The plumber admitted that.
through an accident which occurred
while the lady was passing, her dress
had been injured by his solder. He de-
clared that he would pay in time, but
he could not pay at once. He begged
the court to have pity upon him and
not send him to Jail, for without his
support his family would starve.
''It all rests with the plaintiff" said
the judge. You have ruined her dress
and must pay the damage. This is the
law. 1t rests with her whether she
lets you off from immediate payment"
Il demand my money and at once"
said the lady.
"You hear" said the judge. you
must pay the hundred dollars or 80 to
Jail"
"Then | must go to jail" said the
plumber, giving way to grief, land my
poor little ones--what will become of
them
At this point man in the garb of a
merchant arose and said
''If the plaintiff only wishes to re-
ceive the amount representing the
damage to the garment | will pay it,"
MY dress is ruined" said the wOm-
an. Il must have all it costa hun
dred dollars"
"The law gives you that, believe
"And at once"
"That is also the law"
Taking from his wallet a hundred
dollars, the merchant gave it to the
lady. She took it grccdily and, having
got all she wanted, was turning to
leave the court when the merchant
said:
Having paid the full value of your
garment, it is mine"
"Certainly. You can have it as soon
as get home"
'That is not the law which gave you
the amount of the damages ut once,
and it gives me the dress at once"
"What. Do you expect me to give
it to you here before all these peoplef'
81 certainly do"
Judge" said the woman, Il appeal
to you. Does the law require me to
make n public spectacle of myself!'
at gives your garment to its owner
at once"
"I'll not take it off till / get hOme,"