Any person or railroad, transportation or transmission company violating the provisions of Section thirteen, Article nine, of the Constitution, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail of the county where the offense is triable of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than twelve (12) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court: Provided, that nothing herein contained shall prevent any railroad company or transportation company from carrying free any child or children under the age of seven (7) years.

R.L. 1910, § 2242.