The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-09-13
THE LAW ABIDING MAINLY Elliott Flow

.... sd
rived and there were various impatient
and dsrespectfu cries. such as Get out.
you big stiff!" when he sought to inter-
rupt the sport.
Boys" he cried, do YOU know that
this is against the law?'
Jaw, beat i'll" was the discourteous
reply
Understand me-" he persisted, II
don't object to 1t myself, but the law
should be respected. Sunday sports
are forbidden, and" he added, referring
| hastily to the code, "all vacant lot
! baseball is forbidden because of the
danger to windows in the vicinity"
whats that to you If the cop don't
care?' demanded one player.
II shall speak to the policeman about
his neglect of duty" said Parkin, "but
that is not the point"
"Give him a swift kick" advised one
of the crowd. play BALI" yelled sew
eral, and then there came various dis
| quoting suggestions as to what should
be done with him, the prevailing opin-
ion being that he ought to be used to
dust the home plate. So insistently was
this argued that he retreated precipi-
| lately, both teams and all the spccta-
urs joyously encouraging him to speed
with boots, yells. threats and such mis-
siles as they could lay their hands on.
"Thcy are young and needless" he
sighed when he had again reached the
safety and seclusion of his own home.
They will know better in time. I
shall have no such trouble with people
who are old enough to think"
"Iou'd better forget about the law"
advised his wife. land get shave"
lie passed his hand over his chin
and felt the justification of her remark.
That's right" he agreed. 81 forgot it
Yesterday. but Tony's open to-day.
III"
/. lie stopped abruptly. The Sunday
shave was not customary with him, but
neither was it Unprecedented. He was.
however, looking at things from new
point Of view now, and he reached for
the state code.
mo. Susan" he said. "the shave will
have to wait until tomorrow"
Are the barber shops cluscd?" IN"
asked
They ought to be-" he declared. IN
speak to Tony about that tomorrow; I
know he wants to he law abiding
Meanwhile. I'll just step down TO the
corner and get couple OF cigars"
rs that lawful?" she asked.
what" He was startled.
els that lawful?"
, He turned again to the State code. hut
that was not really necessary; he knew
the answer without looking II MP. So
; Strlc; and comprehensive were the state
, sunday laws that the legislators had
deemed II necessary to specifically legal
ize newspaper deliveries, milk deliveries
and pleasure driving.
What kind Of IA fool Legislature have
We got" he exploded wrathfully. Don't
they want a man to even smoke on
Sunday? I don't believe most Of HON
ever look at the laws they pass, I
don't believe they know what they are:
I don't believe they expect anybody to
take them seriously"
But 1t Is the law" suggested Mrs.
Parkin. "Do you suppose you could be
arrested for buying ice cream sodas for
the children last Sunday? Anyway. II
seems shameful to encourage children
in law breaking"
Parkln glowcred at her, but he soon
rcgain"d his usual calm demcanor. 81
should not have done it," he admitted
but VS. ignorant. That's the 'roublo
with us all. 1t is a theory of mine"
Yes. I've heard about that theory"
she interrupted.
I'm going to make n supreme test
OF it," he declared. putting the state
code under his arm ana going for his
hat. The law prohibits all work except
# necessity or charity on Sunday: II
prohibits all business that is not spec
,iicllly legaliZcd, ana II especially pro-
hibits the sale Of liquor. I'm going Ia
Sc" about that"
There were several men in the saloon
that he entered "A few minutes later
They were. of course. ignorant of III,
law and so without doubt was the pro-
prietor No one had given any heed
To the Sunday closing laws in many
years. ! was reasonable suppositior
that they were forgotten.
He opened the book on the bar ant
beckoned to the proprietor. 81 have toe
much faith in human nature" he eN-
planned Ito believe that you are will
fully violating the law. but you will Sc,
by this that"
The proprietor saw and understood
at least, he thought he understood
Mike" no yelled to his bartender, "gi
the bungstarter' Here's one O then
goo-goo skates that's trying to put III
on the bum"
The bartender reached for the bunC
starter one of the customers reached fo
stone match-safc. another reached fo
beer stein. the proprietor reached 70
Iarkn and Parkn reached the side
walk Just In time To escape disaster.
We'll what can you expect from
saloon keeper" unused Parkin as soor
as he had recovered from his m"mcntar!
, excitement IRIS n bad business any
how. | might as well speak to Ton,