The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-27
Thanks" responded the alderman.

1act 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
prlma facie case, and then. if you'd
been killed. why you could get to the
jury. and the jury would render you.
nrst-class verdict. But as it is"
Alderman Barnes rose. "Therell be
an ordinance" he Numbered, land
don't you forget it."
He was right. Alderman Barnes was
not alderman for just nothing. He,
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,
terms 1t was to take effect immediate
ly. By its terms, no matter how
severe snowfall, the owner Of prop
erty, occupied, vacant or unimproyed,
must clean his sidewalk. BY it's terms
the owner who disregarded 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. 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 IN make this overgrown town
an up-to-date city before get through"
he said
Then the alderman procured 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 to it.
When you find him." he told a po-
lice: "rll appear against him. See?"
One day an officer was shown up
into his room. The officer touched
his cap.
You're wanted at the Fourth pre-
cinct, sOrr," he announced. He was
going to say more, but the alderman
hushed him up.
III 60" 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 malevolent
tone in his voice. you are brought
here upon charge"
ITO make a charge" corrected the
alderman.
Upon a charge" repeated the SER
geant. of a serious nature. You are
charged with violating the sidewalk
ordinance. What have you to say?
How do you plead?"
"W-what?" rOared Alderman
Barnes, me? Why, you idiot, came
here to make 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 fresh hold
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.
IAN right, Mr.. Sergeant" he said
with fine sarcasm oozing from every
pore. fire ahead. Who rs the com
plainant against me?"
Here is the complaint" went on
the sergeant, you have right to read
it, If you will.
Alderman Barnes read it-once-
twice-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 fosl This is my com
plant, that | swore to myself.
The sergeant nodded indifferently
Il noticed he said. that the com
plainant's name was Barnes But that
don't cut any ice with us. There are
200 harnesses in Monroe. The point Is
that you're Alderman Barnes, and tina,
Alderman Barnes is the owner of lo'
on Division avenue, and the owner OF
this lot violated the sidewalk ordi
nance. and-there 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 own
sidewalk. To violate the ordinance
against myself Gee whiz.
He turned to the sergeant and
begged silence of the force and prom
ised supper and they were silent
until after the supper.
Some weeks later Westervelt called
M Alderman Barnes.
Alderman he said, have you
found out the name of the owner OF
that lot"
YES said the alderman. but In