The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-28

AS to the other feature of the
case" went on his counsel why the |
| fact remains that this property owner
has been no more negligent than thou
sands of others here in Monroe. If
there had been an ordinance, its viola
| ton would have made out for you a |
| prima facie case. and then, if 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 Its
terms it was to take effect immediate
ly. BY its terms no matter how
severe snowfall, the owner of prop
erty, occupied, vacant or unimproved,
must clean his sidewalk. BY its terms
!, the owner who disregarded its injunc-
ton was sibject to fine of $40
for the first offense $25 for the sec
ond offense, and 500 for the third
offense
And now. we'll see," said Alderman
, Barnes. And from that moment he
: went up and down the city of Mon
roe like a roaring, raging lion, seek
ing whom he might fall upon and de-
YOUR. I'll make this overgrown town
l an uptodate city before get through"
: he said
< Then the alderman procured a blank
S complaint, and filled it out against the
= unknown owner of the property where
|, his mishap had befallen him, an in
t famous person of the name and fame
i of Doe. He swore to it,
4 when you find him" he told po-
lice: TN appear against him See?'
t One day an officer was shown up
into his room. The officer touched
|, his cap.
It You're wanted at the Fourth pre-
S cinct, SOFT he announced He was
q going to say more, hut the alderman
q hushed him up.
I'll go yelled the alderman. In
feverish haste he prepared for the
journey. In feverish haste he got in
o to cab that he had ordered for the
T. Trip
Go on" he cried to the cabby, 1.-The
sooner we get there the better. Now.
he whispered to himself "I'll get ever
with the owner of that property"
He could hardly wait for the cab tC
stop at the station. so anxious was he
TO get out He rushed into the pres
ence of the sergeant, who glanced a
him cuiioCsly.
M Barnes?" he queried. The al
derman nodded.
Mr. Barnes" went on the sergeant
and there seemed to be malevolen
tone in his voice, you are brough
here upon a charge"
ITO make charge" corrected tn
alderman.
Upon a charge" repeated the Sci
geant. "of serious nature. You ar
charged with violating the sidewall
ordinance. What have you to say
How do you plead?"
"W-what?" roared Alderman
Barnes, me? Why, you idiot, cam
here to make charge. That's wha
o. you sent for me for"
The sergeant smiled and his smil
~ was baleful Il sent for you to TAX
n you into custody" he answered, ''yo
n are arrested, Mr. Barnes"
Oh Alderman Barnes took a fresh hol
ne on himself He was not only disaI
III pointed that they had not found tn
man he was after, but he was ais
e. chagrined that anybody should sus
pect him of the violation of the LAY
"a which was his own creation.
~ "All right, Mr. Sergeant" he said
y with fine sarcasm ooZing from ever
"a pore, fire ahead. Who rs the CON
H. plainant against me?"
VI Here is the complaint" went OF
y the sergeant, you have right to rea
:" it, If you will
~ Alderman Barnes read it-once-
: twice-thrice. He pinched himself Z
make sure he was not dreaming. IL
glanced at the members of the fore
:, to be sure that they were not insane
~ Sergeant" he said, you mus
think Fin a fool This is my com
r. plant, that swOre to myself.
'e The sergeant nodded indifferently
(, 81 noticed" he said, that the com
y plainants name was Barnes. But tina
don't cut any ice with us. There arr
~ 200 Barneses in Monroe. The point Il
n that you're Alderman Barnes, and tina
IL, Alderman Parnes is the owner of a 10
on Division avenue, and the owner o
e, this lot violated the sidewalk ordi
r nance. and-there you are"
And then Alderman Barnes wilted-
r. wilted hard and fast. Lord, h'
groaned. I'D forgotten that owned
10 any lot In Division avenue. Lord
what fix. To slip down on my owl
I sidewalk To violate the ordinance
r against myself. Gee whiZ."
% He turned to the sergeant ant
begged silence of the force and prom
IS Used supper; and they were silent
a until after the supper.