Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-13
THE DANDY COPPERS.
The Policeman and His Ways While Weld
ing the Locust.
[Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.l

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle1
There is something of fascination in the
life of policeman. Tradition has given
him characteristics OF attr butes more or
less in accordance with truth. His ex-
periences embrace the widest possible
range. At the busy and bustling corners
he is seen at his best. There, with his
dress coat, shining brass buttons and nicely
polished shield, he gracefully twirls his
rosewood club and directs the movements
of the passing throng; helping pretty
miss across the street in a gallant manner,
and smiling his sweetest as he leaves her
to trip dainty along her way; keeping an
old man from the wheels of passing car
riage, and jerking an irrepressible news
boy from a precarious position almost
underneath horse-car; courteously COM
manding a small knot of conversationalists
to pass on, and tapping drunken rutfian
with his ever-handy billy. He is cool
headed when all around him are mad with
excitement; ready for any emergency at
a moments notice, and always on hand for
any refractory citizen His uniform lends
TO him certain amount of dignity and
gives him certain prestige. There is
something in double row of brass buttons
and nickel plated shield that strikes ter
ror into the hearts of any law breakers.
This is what he seems as he stands upon
a Main street corner. Under different cir
cumstances he is seemingly a different
man. According to the legend which is
handed down from generation to genera
tion be possesses an affinity for a secluded
stairway at late hours of the night or
early hours of the morning, when things
around are generally quiet. Here he is
said to WOO the sleep which the average in
habitant is enjoying at that time, all un-
mindful of the fight which may be happen
ing block below, or of the frantic calls
for him which may be emanating from
some one in process of being robbed or
murdered.
He is also said to be happy whom leaning
across some fence at night and chatting
Familiarity with the servant girl. He Is
frequently depicted in this interesting stu
alton, and is popularity supposed to be then
in the height of happiness. Malicious
rumor also hath it that at times be is not
averse to a suspension of section for
period Of about two minutes, while he can
enjoy mug of beer. But these SANDER
Gus gossips who circulate these tales are
the very ones upon whom he likes TO lay
the strong arm of the law and show the
skill and training of his biceps and triceps
in his agile application of the festive
locust.
Tt win not do to ask him If these things
are true. He does not like it. he is apt
TO become irritated. even at such a little
Ehipg. and experience will teach anybody
that pol ceman is bad person TO irritate.
Maay people understand this, and in con-
sequence he is f equently offered a cigar.
II you know him and stand in with him he
will occasionally give you one OF these. If
you smoke it you will not feel like stand
ing in any more. bit like going somewhere
and LAYING down. These cigars are an
awful warning against the smoking vice.
The policeman Is not supposed to arrest
every drunken man he sees. Rochester il
quite city, and on some occasions large
percentage of the people might be under
lock and key. He must help him home il
he can. The philosophy of this is that IL
the wassailer be a married man he is apt
20 get a much warmer reception at that
place than sc the Police Station, and will
probably remember the warning longer.
In regard 20 raps. policeman Is supposed
70 rap whenever be sees anything that viii
make a sound when he bits it If it be .
drunken man. 50 much the worse for the
unfortunate individasl
But Rochester has force ~ which she
can well be proud. Under the efficient care
Of It's managers it is able - cover the city
better than much larger patrols 10 in other
cisies. Some of the onteide beats are much
longer than they should Be. and some parts
+ of che city ara npt even covered ~ all. hat
this i not the fanit - ths men. bat eniY
owing - fbeir insufficient suuteFs Every
naesnher Of the force = Supposed e bass sn
elegant nsastaehe. which must be kept
xsa trimmed sns vexss. As theY sppesF
~ pafsde they are = handsome bodv ~
nfsa TIE ii fssftnses tbey expesisnce are
naur. ard. IA The Isnzss2s Of she eresk
[ Comm <slopers Htke llf. 81 = rolirsspns y
rs happy au&"