Mr.Simpkins, who was not lacking in a certain quality of quiet persistence, troubled every one with fine impartiality, and became exceedingly unpopular in Ballymoy.

The Resident Magistrate hated being obliged to enforce unnecessary laws such as that which forbids cyclists to ride on footpaths, and that which ordains the carrying of lighted lanterns on carts at night.

The postman, at the other end of the official scale, liked loitering on his rounds, and had adopted a pleasant habit of handing on letters to any wayfarer who might be supposed to be proceeding in the direction of the place to which the letters were addressed.

Every one with a public duty of any sort to perform was stimulated by Mr.Simpkins, and consequently came to hate him.
After a while Mr.Doyle, on whom, as chief citizen, the duty naturally devolved, got up a petition to Mr.Tempest.

The necessity for removing Mr.Simpkins was presented in the strongest terms.