The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-17
Couldn't Stand the Pressure.

A policeman was standing on the
shady side of his beat, twirling his
mustache and musing over the lost OPP
portunities of youth.
A man came forward and made an
abiect bow, intended as Il tribute to
law and order. He was a man with a
glossy look about the knees and elbows,
and the small portion of shirt-front
that managed to hold itself above the
discontinued vest that was trying to
climb up and wind itself around the
mans neck, was not immaculate. 1t
said as plainly as shirt-bosom could
say-and that, too, with u piteous ap-
peal for sympathy-that it was badly
neglected piece of linen, and felt
ashamed of its keeping and company.
The man stood for minute or two,
and looked upon the officer with eyes of
humble admiration. He was awed by
the stern, defiant look of the cop, and
dazzled by the badge and buttons. The
officer threw his gaze heavenward, in
sublime indifference, and folded his
arms, as though posing for statue of
Achilles in modern garments.
Look at himr' said the man, in a
Neutrality-suspicious. to himself. "Only
look at him. Amt he tough 'un for
heavy duty? Them's the sort O. men
that makes an honest man a possibility
in this country, an keeps up the price
O. rope. What strength and courage
do l see before me like pictur', to say
nothin' of the iron muscles and breadth
of chist. Our sacred institutions are
well guarded, an the majesty OF the
law is purity well sot up with so long as
such men as him are keepin' their peep
ers peeled for scalawags."
The officer threw his head higher,
and put on q frown that would have
soured fresh milk.
The proper moment had come, and
the man walked up and looked him
calmly in the face.
"Why do | sleep well ut nightP'' he
demanded. "Why are my dreams I'M
troubled?"
q suppose you have a mosquito
net said the blue-coat, unbending a
little, land sleep on the shed-roof
where the bugs can't reach YOU
"No, sir-it amt that, but drop
YOUR ear and hearken. I'll tell YOU
how it comes that | can tumble into my
little bunk every evening an shut my
blinkers for an all-night snooze without
any more uneasiness than a baby run
ming over with catnip tea. It's because
| know that such men rs you are walk
in up an down in front of my shanty
to see that | have my regular ration of
peaceful slumber without disturbance.
/ =, +bo of INV w an Low.
in awake watchin' for crib-crackers
when | know that every street in the
city is under the eye of men who never
back down, an fight as though every
last mothers son of 'em was married
and had to do it? Talk about brave
men. Look for 'em among the police
force an you git full measure every
time.h
The officer protested that the eulogy
was invidious. Plenty of other men
were brave.
$50 they may be-so they may; but
show me the courage that amt bal
lasted with selhshness, outside of the
police, an you can take my nose for a
paper-weight l know brave man
, when hear him breathe, an / know
/ I'm talkin' to one of the boldest un
laureled heroes in this stretch o tim
Der. Now amt that sop
} lly-ah-I-can' permit-sucl
, undeserved-ah- really can't allow
it, sir" said the officer, with melting
|, look and softened tone.
g I" But you're not a coward!'
I'D like to hear somebody just hin
/, that | was" and the lips compressed
1 and the head shook meaningly.
"An' you've got jest oceans OF cour
q age-no going back on that"
= "Well, no, maybe not.''
/ "An' you're grit to the backbone
t Own up, now-yOure jest fairly LOADED
: down with it. Amt that SOP"
81 suppose must have a little, yo'
y know. Must have in this business"
3 "Didn't | say so? But little won
e do. That amt the term-groanin,
with sand is better Now, come; fac
. the music and own up. You've 90
y grit away above the average-now ain
k that nearer the mark"
a go yes, suppose So" said the ma
of the mace, little sheepishly.
II An rs to nerve-we can't pile it o
d too thick there, | know. You're nerv
to the marrow, now amt you? Ow
n up that you've got nerve-you can
deny that?'
- "No, | reckon not, but I'd rattle
2, have somebody else say So"
rs The man drew up close and spoke
J. low voice:
81 knowed i'll knowed it. But Sc