DOLLARS OR PENNIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19779, 28 October 1927, Page 15

DOLLARS OR PENNIES.

NEW YORK COURT COMEDY* WOMAN'S BAG OF COPPERS, "Twenty-five dollars fine," Baid Magistrate Farrell, in the Bronx Traffic Courts New York, recently. Mrs. Orelea Marconi, aged 35, proprietress of the Starlight Inn, Boston: Post Road, who bad pleaded guilty of speeding 40 miles an hour on the Grand Concourse, stepped forward almost, eagerly. "Pay him," said the magistrate, indicating a clerk. Mrs. Marconi emptied a canvas hag otti "the desk of John Lantry, Court attend' ant. "There's the 25 dollars —2500 count 'em," she explained. Lantry: No, you count 'era. Defendant: I will not. I counted them once and I know there ara 2500 ther«. If you have any doubt about it you'll have to count them yourself. Lantry (heatedly): I can't count 2500 pennies. Defendant: What's the matter? Can't; you count ? The Magistrate: You'll have to count out these pennies. Defendant: Why should ft I knowthere are 2500 pennies there. I'm a motorist paying a fine, and not a teacher giving a lesson in addition. There's the' 25 dollars, isn't it? The magistrate pondered the matter shortly. "You're right," he agreed "Hashould not compel you to count the money. He should insist, however, that you lav down the pennies one by one sothat he can see that none of them is counterfeit." , , Mrs. Marconi objected, ana the magistrate ended the debate by ordering her committed until she counted out tae pennies. "All right," said Mrs. Mar corn, seoopin<* up the coins. "I'll go to gaol for my principles." A few minutes later, how--ever, she changed her mmd, and tossed her principles overboard ( and several dollars in notes on Lantry*B desk. I counted those pennies once and it made me dizzv," she said. "Apparently," replied Lantry, counting the notes, "because there s 35 dollars; here." And he handed her back 10 d °"Next," said the magistrate, as Mrs. Marconi swept out of the Courtroom with a 10-dollar note m one hand and the, heavy bag of coppers in the other.