Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-06-18
A DOG OUT IN THE SUBURB.
Stranger Refused to Leash Him-Joke
on the Police

M
H nue., the dog trotting on ahead
and turning now and then to
wag his tail pleasantly in II rpirit of
comradcship. The man seemed to be
very much absorbed in his reflections,
for he paid very little attention to
what was going on around him.
Throngs of people and throngs of We
hicles passed him by as he strobe on
ward, but it was as if they We're not,
when suddenly he was rudely awak-
ened from his preoccupation.
"See here, mister" said police Off
Ger, you'll have to put leash on that
dog"
"Ah! Indeed the wayfarer an
swered. "WhyW
Because the law says so-that's
why" said the officer.
well, you'll excuse the apparent re-
Election upon your veracity, officer, but
l don't believe the law says anything
of the sort. | decline to put leash
upon said dog" answered the way.
farer.
You mean to say you won't obey the
law lllt OIIlttl
Nothing of the sort" replied the
wayfarer 81 simply decline to put a
leash on that dog because | deny in
toto that the law requires me to do
any such thing"
whats the matter here" asked am
other officer, coming up.
This Teller declines to leash the
dog" returned the first officer, be
cause he says the law don't require
him to do so"
Excuse me for butting in here
said a pleasant looking gentleman who
had been an interested observer of the
complication, but | imagine this gen
tleman is a stranger in town and is not
wholly aware of the requirements"
81 am stranger here, sir said the
other
Then permit me to advise you that
the officer is right" said the intruder
courteously.
Il am very much obliged to you for
your good offices, sir, but even at the
risk of seeming unappreciative | must
decline to accept your advice"
ooh, run him in, Bill" said the sec
ond officer
you'll have to come along with me,
sir" said the first officer, putting his
hand on the offenders shoulder.
"I1l go along with yon,' said the
man. There isn't any power on this
earth that can compel me to leash the
animal, and | sha'n't do it-not if l
have to carry the case to the supreme
court"
They walked along the street in 81
lence, the crowd following. and the
kindly person who had tried to avert
the trouble once more interposcd with
his advice, but the prisoner was firm.
II know my rights, SIR he said. IF
/ have to put a leash on that dog I'll
be the most surprised person this side
of the north pole"
They arrived at the station and the
sergeant at the desk looked up as the
party entered.
whats the trOuble:' he asked.
This gentleman refuses to put
leash on this here dog" said the Off
Ger. 81 told him as polite as l could
what the law was. and he says 1t
amt So
THE officer has been very consider
ate, sergeant" said the prisoner, ''but
he doesn't understand the law, and
refuse to accept his Interpretation Of
it."
"You don't look like man that
wants trouble" returned the sergeant,
80 before holding you, sir, l think
ought to say that the officer is right.
The ordinances do require you to hold
the dog III leash"
Hereupon the sergeant read the pro
vision from the statute book.
THAT is all very WELL sergeant, but
that law doesn't apply to me at all, ;"
said the offender.
Doesn't apply to you?" roared the
sergeant, his face getting red. "Who
in Harlem are you, anyhow, that what
Is law for one man is not law for you:
I'll give you one more chance. Will
you or will you not put leash on that
dog?"
Il will not" returned the offender
calmly.
The sergeant was plainly agitated.
"All right, them he said; Its your
funeral, not mine Why in thunder
don't you act like Il man of sense and
do what we tell you?'
Because" said the offender, lit isn't
my dog. l never saw the pup in my
life before"
And the little dog wagged his tail,
while the sergeant wagged his head
trying to find a few but fitting words
with which to express his feelings
Harper's Weekly.