Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-03

day-but in the little village of High wy
combe, in the midlands of England, things
are different. High Wycombe seems to
have a conscientious objection to tobac-
%conists, anyway; and that they should de-
fame the Sabbath by selling their unholy
wares is not to be borne. Consequently,
the chief magisterlai dignitaries of the
village have put their august feet down
on tobacconists who break the Sabbath.
AS Popp is the most fragrant Sabbath
breaker, he has had summonses almost
equal in number to the famous leaves of
Vallombrosa, and still he doesn't seem to
care. Popp has one of those peculiar tenn
peraments that can laugh even at a police
summons. He laughs outright, which, of
course, makes the magisterial bench who
issues the summons quite angry. They
would hang Popp. but, fortunately for him.
the law does not allow a person to be
hanged for selling tobacco on Sunday. I'm
fortunately-from the magistrates point OF
vitw-the law does not allow the impo-
sition of a fine of more than about 81, and
thus Popp pays quite willingly every time
he is called upon to do so. Even at this
rate, his 361 summonses have cost him
the tidy sum of about $3.50, including fines
and costs.
In the course OF q recent interview Popp
was asked to explain how 1t was that he
could tolerate this constant legal perse-
cution.
well, Sunday is my best day for trade"
he said quite frankly. Besides this. [ do
not see why 1 should be persecuted-not
prosecuted-under an ola law passed in the
time of Charles II. Sunday trading in my
line is allowed in various parts of Eng
land, and it will be allowed in High wy
combe, too, before many years have passed.
Most of the trade Of the village is given
up to making of chairs; but the manu-
facturers do not object to their goods
going by railways on Sundays, nor do they
object to the running of trains. or the
working Of railway officials. Ny trade is
perfectly tustifiable, and 1 am going to
keep my shop open on Sundays IL they is
sue summonses until the crack Of doom.
Furthermore" he continued, with a
CHEEKY smile, 81 might let you into a Sc
eret. A very large portion Of my trade
has come from these very summonses. 1
do not mind paying a 81 fine on Monday
morning II 1 do $40 worth of business on
Sunday My name has become known all
over the country, and L have had more
advertisement out of these summonses
than l could possibly nave obtained bv
any other means. The fact that 1 have
Just had my S6lst summons does not worry
me at all. 1 am sure 1 would miss thea
If they did not come."
Popp's conflicts with the authorities have
been turned by him to good account I'm
the form Of various funny posters and
cards ridiculing the local officials. one
Of these shows a huge crowd gathered
about his shop on the window of which
are the words, "opeh on Sunday. as
usual" and underneath IL the words:
The sequel you'n be pleased to leapn,
Although they fine him still,
Is that this nonsense only puts
More money in his till.
In another advertisement. he prophesies
that the fame which has come 10 him
through the summonses will bring him a
knighthood. and he predicts that High WV
combe will some day appoint Sir Jacob
Popp one OF ats chief magistrates,