THE STRANGE CASE OF MR POPP.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9132, 29 April 1908, Page 8

THE STRANGE CASE OF MR POPP.

Mr Jacob Popp, a tobacconist of High Wycombe, a little town in Buckinghamshire, lias been prosecuted 325 times for selling tobacco and cigarettes on Sunday. It is a diverting tale, this epic of J. Popp. It has been going on for six years, and seems likely to go on indefinitely. The justices of High Wy. combo have made themselves and the law look supremely ridiculous, and have given Mr Jacob Popp a fine weekly advertisement, which is absurdly cheap at the price of the 7s 6d fine which he pays every Monday morning. Mr Popp pays every Monday morning. Mr Popp established himself in business in High Wycombe six years ago, and after a time began to open on Sundays and did a good trade. Presently the chief ■ constable appeared and threatened him with a summons unless the shop was closed on Sundays. Mr Popp decline 1 to close, and the summons was issued on the Monday. It was taken out under the Statute of Charles 111., that paragon of all virtues, and charged the defendant that he, on a certain date, being the Lord’s Day, commonly called Sunday, did at Chopping Wycombe, iu the borough aforesaid, unlawfully -do and exorcise certain worldly labour business and work iu his ordinary calling of a tobacconist and confectioner, the same uot being a work of necessity or charity. Mr Popp paid 15s, including costs, and since then, regularly every Monday, he has received his summons. There are two alternatives to paying the fine —two hours in the stocks or seven days’ imprisonment iu gaol. Mr Popp has evidently a sense of humour, as well as a fine eye for advertisement, for he asked to be placed iu the stocks. -But the stocks have long since vanished from the market-place of High Wycombe, and the Magistrate declined to have new ones built for Mr Popp’s incarceration. After two years and a half the fine was reduced Jr'rom 15s to 7s 6d, including costs. Mr Popp’s sense of humour prompted him recently to send the Magistrate a cheque for a quarter’s fines iu advance, to save both the clerk and himself trouble. The cheque was returned. He has now paid £156, and calculates that he lias kept three policemen in clothes every year.