“You ought to feel flattered, Hawley, old man,” the pro[Pg 51]prietor of the Bulletin chuckled. “They’ve passed an ordinance solely on your account. Of course, they won’t admit that you were the cause of it, but I am quite sure that the bill was put through expressly to prevent you from coming back and taking any more snapshots.”
“What’s the nature of the ordinance?” the Camera Chap inquired.
“It is known as the ‘anticamera bill.’ Makes it a misdemeanor to take a photograph on the streets of Oldham or in any of the public buildings without a special license from the chief of police.”
“What’s the penalty?” Hawley inquired, with great interest.
“A fine of a hundred dollars or six months in the penitentiary, or both,” Carroll replied.
“Great Scott!” exclaimed the Camera Chap. “Six months in jail for taking a picture! Why didn’t they make it hanging while they were about it?”
“Perhaps they would if they had thought of it,” returned Carroll. “But I say, old man, be sure to keep away from Oldham; or, if you should have to come to town for any reason, don’t fail to leave your camera behind you. Chief Hodgins is just wasting away with yearning for a chance to get even with you; and you can rest assured that if they catch you violating the law, it won’t be merely a hundred-dollar fine in your case—it will be a hundred-dollar fine and six months’ imprisonment.”
“That would be pleasant,” said the Camera Chap, with a laugh. “Much obliged for tipping me off, old man. I shall certainly make it a point to be careful. Any more news?”
“Nothing worth mentioning. I told you the other day that your old friend Gale, of the Daily News, was in town, helping his old man run the Chronicle, didn’t I?”
“Yes. What’s he doing? Up to any of his old tricks?”