The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-07-24

Trespasser
By DWIGHT

through the gateway and 60 rOmping
over her grounds. They appeared to
be under the care Of a single person, a
man. Indignant at this entry into her
domain without permission, she strobe
down the driveway to meet them.
Pardon me, sir, but did you not see
the notice.?"
II saw that trespassers would be
prosecuted under penalty Of the law"
"Well, then, why did you bring these
children in here?"
Because l knew they would be de-
lighted to be here"
And you were willing to subject
them to prosecution?'
"No; they are minors. If any one is
to be prosecuted it is l."
"And you were willing to be prose-
cuted yourself?"
"Certainly. so long as l thereby give
pleasure to these children"
IF you had asked permission l might
have granted it."
THAT would have been more polite.
I admit, but politeness begins at home.
AOu uoNC uOJ put up a uOLlSC udtL ally
n wishing to enjoy your grounds may
apply to you for permission and you
will consider the application. You
have given warning that any one tres
passing on your grounds will be pros
ecuted under the law. l accept the
terms Of this notice. I bring these
children on to your premises. and it is
your privilege to prosecute me-"
He handed her his card, turned away
and joined the little ones. who were
racing about, laughing and shouting.
Miss Miller was %astonished, outraged.
There seemed nothing for her to do
but act upon the notice she had put up.
himself. As for the children, she felt
quite relieved that they were minors
and the man was responsible for them.
Returning to the house, she ordered
out her pony cart and drove into the
village to see her attorney. He was
out Of town, but would return late that
night. She stated the case to a stu
dent in his office, who told her that
she might swear out a warrant for the
arrest Of the trespasser. Mr.. Gilbert
Chase, who was principal of a school.
Miss Miller was loath to act without the
advice Of a competent person, but she
was very angry. partly because her
notice had been set at defiance and
partly because the young man had sue
..ceeded in placing himself in a very IA
vorable position and her in a very un-
favorable one. Acting on impulse, she
swore out the warrant, and Mr.. Chase
was arrested as he was leaving her
grounds. He furnished bail to appear
the next day for trial and was per-
mitted to go where he liked in the
meantime.
The next morning Miss Miller ap-
peared against the accused, stating that
q notice was nailed to q tree near the
entrance of her grounds giving warn
ing to t~respassers. The justice asked
the prisoner If he was represented by
counsel, to which he replied that he
would conduct his own case. Then he
added: -
II refuse to answer to this charge
on the ground that there is no law of
the land to compel me to answer"
Miss Miller had left word for her At
torney to come to court in time to
conduct the case. and at this .juncture
he entered. As soon q 9 he was in
formed. concerning the matter, address
ing the justice, he said:
my client, your honor. enters q
nolle prosequi."
Whats that?". asked Miss Miller.
You drop the case"
:" IL drop the case! Indeed, I do no
such thing"
''The prisoner has stated the fact cor
rectly; there il no law to punish him
for trespassing on your premises"
mo law! Well, what are all such
signs. for then"
Probably to brighten ~trespassers.
They don't mean anything"
The lawyer was mistaken, but Miss
Miller did not learn that until later.
Miss Miller after paying the costs
left the court in company with her at
torney. At the door they parted, the
lady going to her home. The first thing
she did after getting there was to carry
a small ladder and q Ratchet with her
own hands to the tree supporting the
notice and, mounting the ladder.
smash the board with the Ratchet.
Then throwing the Ratchet on the
ground she stalked to the house, leav-
ing her keeper to take away the frag.
ments and the means Of their destruc.
ton.
The person who stood for Miss Mil
Ter in place Of parents was a white
headed old lady with a benevolent face.
Her grandchild having neglected to ask
her advice in the first place, now that
the damage was done, went to her, on.
fded to her how she had been treated
and asked her how she might punish
the scho0lmaster.
IF you ask me, my DEAR what it is
incumbent on you to do to, set your
self right l will reply that you should
write him an apology. first, for object
ing as you did to his bringing the chill
dren to enjoy the grounds and, second.
For having him arrostnd.''