Pandemonium. The stray dog barked. The Widow Thistle’s scarf unraveled. Judge Shanks banged his gavel until it splintered.
The charter, it turned out, included a forgotten amendment: Any fence built upon a disputed boundary shall be dismantled, and the neighbors shall share a meal of bread and salt upon the line, and thereafter be friends. lomp court case
“Silence!” he roared. Then, quieter: “Mr. Hopple, is there a jewelry box buried on that line?” Pandemonium
Mr. Hopple’s shoulders fell. “Yes,” he whispered. “But it’s not jewelry. It’s the town’s original charter. I found it when digging post holes. I was going to return it… eventually.” Judge Shanks banged his gavel until it splintered
They grumbled, but they did it. The first year, they didn’t speak. The second year, they spoke of the weather. The third year, Mr. Hopple brought honey. The fourth year, Mrs. Bramble brought her famous blackberry jam.
Judge Shanks rendered his verdict. The fence was to come down within the week. Mr. Hopple was fined one penny—payable to the court’s dog treat fund. And Mrs. Bramble and Mr. Hopple were ordered to share a loaf of soda bread and a pinch of salt at the boundary line every Midsummer for five years.