Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-09-24
J w. GEORGE,
LESTER FAINT,
WIN. WILLIAMS,
State Democratic. Executive Com.
Justice indicated,

The bicyclist from the city Was
wheeling leisurely along the side path
in the outskirts of the little towa,
when the policeman, the only one the
place afforded, arrested him and took
him before the local justice of tire
peace, says the Chicago Chronicle.
What is the charge against th!'
man. asked the justice.
tongue and an awful look of horrpr
by ridin' on the sidewalk"
what have you to say, yourg
man.
81 suppose I'm guilty, your honor
said the prisoner. But didn't know
| was violating any ordinance"
Ignorance of the law excuses no
one"
Il know that your honor but rs
the road was bad, and | saw other
wheel tracks on the walk, thought
it was all right"
''If the officer had seen the men that
made the other tracks it would have
been his duty to arrest them. see
nothing to do but to impose fine OF
S., as provided by the ordinance,
Your honor said the prisoner,
this is the first time have ever been
hauled up before magistrate on a
charge of any kind, and can't help
feeling that it's hardship. | shall
not appeal the case, but I'd like to
have one chance to get off propose
that we flip coin to decide whether
the fine be $40 or nothing. That gives
me one loophole OF escape. What does
your honor say?'
The proposition seemed to appeal
to the sporting instinct latent in the
mental constitution of his honor,
"All right" he said after minutes
hesitation. 81 don't know any law
against that. You may flip the coin"
What shall it be. your honor.
heads or tails?'
"Tais," hazzarded the court.
The coin was flipped.
His honor glanced at 1t as 1t fell,
covered it with one hand, and extend
ed the other to the prisoner.
81 congratulate you, young man,"
he said "You are discharged-on the
ground that this is your first offense.
But don't let it happen again.
The bicycler wended his way, leav.
ing the coin in possession of the court,
and nobody to this day knows whether
it really fell tails up or not.
The Hand CT tie Lord i, It.
John Sharp Williams, Democratic
leader of the House, was greatly an
noyed when visiting committee
tried to map ont for him and his coll
leagues a line Of duty, says the Roch-
ester Herald.
you remind me Of the preacher"
said Mr.. Williams to his visitors,
"who demonstrated with man In his
community for not coming to church.
The man, after much persuasion, con-
sented to attend worship on the fcl.
lowing Sabbath. During the sermon
violent storm ragged, and crashes "
thunder interfered with the speaker
making himself heard.
"I won't attend any more, said
the reluctant church attendant when,
at the conclusion Of the service, the
preacher asked him to come again.
"'And why not?' asked the divine
"Tf the Lord had wanted me 10
listen to your sermon" said the man
as he fumbled his hat. i don't think
he would have interrupted your set'
mon with a thunderstorm "
Speaker Reeds View Of Obituaries,
Colonel Pete Hepburn, of Iowa,
IS fond of telling how during his early
Gays in congress he once had occasion
10 consult Mr. Reed then speaker,
with a view Of obtaining Reeds adj
vice as to n eulogy on a deceased col
league which Colonel Hepburn had
been selected to deliver Give me
general idea sa to what shall say"
said the inexperienced Hepburn. Say
except the truth responded
Reed. IT'S customary"