The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-05-31
SERGEANT BANJO.
rue Policeman With the silver Collar, and
How He Cnuaht u BursIar,


=, Yes, the breaking up of the old
sixth precinct station house did come
pretty hard on some of the men who
mad been there for years, and had kind o
got used to the place, you KNOW" said
an old policeman to New York IVorlo
reporter, "but none of 'em took it sc
much to heart as Banjo"
Banjo !" exclaimed the visitor
"what curious name for an officer"
Well, as to the name, it is little
curious, amt it But as to Banjo's
bein' an officer, you see he amt just Oh
the regular force, although we calls
him sergeant, still it would be sayin
leetle too much to say he was police.
man"
"And If he is not policeman, pray
what is he?"
He's dog, sir.
A dog !"
Yes, sir, and he's been on the force
morn adozen year. He used to be down
mt the Sixth, you know, and when that
precinct was abolished and part of the
men sent to the Fourth and part to the
Fourteenth, tell you there was q row
as TO where Banjo should go. But Banjo
the men said that lie didn't want tC
offend any Of his old friends by goin
with either party, but I don't believe
chat; L think it was love for the old
place. Anyhow, there on the steps OF
the Sixth, Banjo stayed, and nothin
could get him away. [ used to go by
there every evenin' on my way to the
Fourteenth, and was sure to see him
lyin' on the steps of the station house.
He always appeared glad TO see me, and
would walk up town with me as far as
Canal street, and tben he would turn
round and be off Ike shot. This thing
went on for nearly month, and Banjo
began to look sad and down-hearted like,
and [ couldn't stand it no longer, so one
evening 1 coaxed him up to me, and
takin' him into my arms l brought him
-howlin', sir, and mad rs blazes when
he saw he was above Canal street-ur
here to the Fourteenth. When I put
him down inside the door, he looked
around minute and then walked into
the guarJ-room and made himself tc
home, and he's staid here ever since
Would you like to see Banjo p
81 should, indeed"
Here, Banjo; here, Bani Sergeant
Banjo !" called the Old policeman.
a small roly-poly of dog, will
black and white spots, and with {
lazy swagger in his walk, stepped into
the room.
"Now, Toby" said the policeman, Sc
verely, "who asked you to come in
That's not Banjo" explained the officer
"he must be of on patrol duty. That's
Captain Toby We calls i'm Captain
you know. He's lazy and fat, and stays
around the station house most of the
time. But Banjo is great fellow fol
patrolling. Shall J. tell you story how
Banjo caught burglar? Well, it was
one dark, rainy night two-no, three
years ago come June, when | was out OF
my beat, and Banjo was trudging along
beside me. Suddenly Banjo stopped
before store and growled 1 knowet
something must be up, or he wouldn'
have acted 50, and crept up and peekel
through the shutters. There was
fellcr a-crackin' the crib as cool as crl
cumber."
"'A All my boy, I've got you,' says /
as l slipped in through the door, whicl
he had left unfastened; but l had crowet
before I was out Of the woods, for tn,
chap heard Inc comm, and quick a
Lightning his lantern was ont, and 1 fel
blow on my head that knocked m,
nearly sensible, and the fellow rushed
past me into the street. Goodbye,
say I 10 myself, Il don't expect you'll
wait toT lne to come out and catch you;
but here again L was mistaken, for th'
feller was waitin' for me, though mucl
against his will. Banjo had quietl,
taken a grip in the slack of the gentle
mans trousers, and then seated himsel
on the curbstone. 1t warn't no use fo
the feller to swear and kick; Banjo hel,
on like grim death until I come up ant
relieved him.
It's nearly time Banjo come in iron
his rounds. Oh here he is. How ar
you, sergeant? He amt really ser
geant, you know" whispered the officer
but it kind Of flatters him to call hin
one."
Banjo wagged his stump of tail q
the officer, and walked gravely owe
to inspect the visitor. He gave him
cold, scrutiniziug glance out of a pair c
clear, brown eyes, and apparently took
few mental notes for future reference
then he went over to the officer for fey
minutes conversation.
Banjo is not large dog; he is of
square ana rugged build, covered wit
a rough brown coat of hair slightl
tinged with gray-for he is growing t
be quite a veteran-he has no ears c
tail to speak of, and has a shrewd, il
quisitive, but strictly honest air. II
wore new silver collar, and seemed
little vain OF this ornament.
" That collar" said the officer, eva
bought Tor him yesterday, when we g
ii license for him. This is the first da
he has worn it. We'll, Banio, 1 suppos
you want to turn inf you would on
take pipe, my boy, it would rest yo
ever so much-but we never could lean
him to smoke"
Banjo nodded, and walked sedately G
tO had