Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1877 — He Kept a Trap. [ARTICLE]

He Kept a Trap.

The tax-collector’s duty i 3 never a pleasant one. Least of all can it be se in much taxed England, where the motive to* bother and snub the frequent-oenring officer is much stronger than with m. To appreciate the amusing instance here given, the American reader needs to remember that “ trap” is a name otmmonly applied in England to a certain kind ot WagonOfcariisgc. "• A few days ago an engraver in .Bristol, England, happening to look through his shop window, observed an eldeoly-gentle-man, whom he recognized as an excise officer, attentively scanning the outside of his premises. Alter satisfying his curi osity by an outside inspection, he entered the shop, note-book and pencH iin hand, and opened a conversation with the proprietor. “Mr. J., I believe?” “ Yes, I am Mr. J.” “ You keep a trap, I understand?” “Yes.” “ Have vou a license for that trap ?” “ No.” Down goes an entry of tliistoandid admission in the note-book. “Did you have a license laatyear ?” “ No.” Another entry in the book. “ Why did you not take out ® license!” “ I did not think it was neesseary.” “ How many does your trapefeola ?” “Five.” Another memorandum. “ How many wheels has it?” “None.” “ None! Why, whatsort of strap is it?” “ A mouse-trap.”— Toutkkt'Companion.