The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-04-29
Thanks" responded the alderman,

| case, 20 "thl Ou HIS COuuSSl, why llc
fact remains that this property owner
has been no more negligent than thou.
sands Of others here in Monroe II
there had been an ordinance, its viola
ton would have made out for you a
prima facie case, and then, IL you'd
been killed, why you could get to the
jury, and the jury would render you a
first-class verdict. But as it is
Alderman Barnes rose. "Therell be
an ordinance" he Numbered, and
don't you forget it,"
He was right. Alderman Barnes was
not alderman for just nothing. He, a
property owner, would take the init
alive. At three meetings he hammered
away at the common council. and
when at the fourth meeting, in his en-
thusiasm, he disrobed in part and ex-
hibited his bruises, and dwelt upon his
pain and suffering, the common coun-
Gil smiled behind their hands, but
caved in.
The ordinance was passed. BY It's
terms it was to take effect immediate
ly. BY its terms, no matter how
SSNSl Il IN Ldll II o"hNi VI PANP
erty. occupied, vacant or unimproved.
must clean his sidewalk. BY its terms
the owner who d~isregarded its injunc-
ton was sibject to a fine of $40
for the first ~offense, $25 for the sec
ond ~offense, and 500 for the third
offense.
And now, well see" said Alderman
Da-~N ArI fYD,, thnt r1nrnnrt hp
went up and down the city Of Mon.
roe like a roaring, raging lion, seek
ing whom he might fall upon and de
.vour. I'll make this overgrown town
an up-to-date city before i get through
he said.
|. Then the alderman procured a blank
complaint, and filled it out against the
unknown owner of the property where
his mishap had befallen him, an In
famous person of the name and fame
of Doe. He swore td'it
When you find him,'ih told a po-
lice: "IlI appear against him. See?"
One day an officer was shown up
into his room. The officer touched
his cap.
lou lS amy az lhS - -
cinct, sorr," he announced. He was
going to say more, but the alderman
hushed him up.
I'll CO." yelled the alderman. In
feverish haste he prepared for the
Journey. In feverish haste he got in
to a cab that he had ordered for the
trip.
Go on" he cried to the cabby, the
sooner we get there the better. Now"
he whispered to himself. I'll get even
with the owner of that property
He could hardly wait for the cab to
stop at the station, so anxious was he
to get out. He rushed into the pres
ence of the sergeant, who glanced at
him curiOusly.
"Mr. Barnes?" he queried. The al
derman nodded.
Mr.. Barnes went on the sergeant,
and there seemed to be a malevo!ent
tone in his voice, you are brought
here upon a charge"
ITO make a charge" corrected the
alderman.
Upon a charge. repeated the ser
geant. "of a serious nature. You are
charged with viola ing the sidewalk
ordinance. What Lave you to say?
How do you plead?'
"W-what?" .rcared Alderman
Barnes, me? Why, you idiot, came
here to- make a charge. That's what
YOU sent for me for"
The sergeant smiled and his smile
was baleful. II sent for you to take
you into custody" he answered, you
are arrested, Mr.. Barnes.
Alderman Barnes took a fresh old
on himself. He was not only disap-
pointed that they had not found the
man he was after, but he was also
chagrined that anybody should sus-
pect him of the violation Of the law
which was his own creation.
An right, Mr.. Sergeant" he said,
with fine sarcasm Oozing from every
pore. fire ahead. Who is the com
~plainant against me-"
Here is the complaint" went on
the sergeant, you have a right to read
1T, if you will
ALNtcl man bd lN"N
twicC-thriCe. He pinched himself to
make sure he was not dreaming. He
glanced at the members of the force
to be sure that they were not insane,
Sergeant" he said, you must
think I'm a fool. This is my com
plaint, that | swOre to myself"
The sergeant nodded indifferently.
81 noticed" he said. that the com
~rlainant's name was Barnes. But that
don't cut any ice with us. There are
: 900 harnesses in Monroe. The point Is
that you're Alderman, Barnes, and that
, Alderman Barnes is the owner Of a lot
on Division avenue, and the owner Of
this lot violated the sidewalk ordi-
nance, and-therc you are"
And then Alderman Barnes wilted-
wilted hard and fast. Lord" he
groaned, I'D forgotten that owned
, any lot in Division avenue. Lord,
what, a fix. To slip down on my W
sidewalk. To violate the ordinance
against myself. Gee whiz."
., He turned to the sergeant and
begged silence Of the force and prom
fsod 4 supper; and they were silent
:, until after the supper:
Some weeks later WesterVelt called