West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-12-18
POLICEMAN NO. 1,4l4.
His Narrow Escape and Final
Good Fortune.

GOOD Fortune.
Policeman Kyle. No. 1,4ll. assigned
for duty at the odorous lumber-docks.
had been forced to take his own mind
into custody, so TO speak, and to arrest
1T on suspicion. 1t had shown a tend
ency to resist the authority of Officer
Kyle, and he had determined TO subdue
1T. In spite of repeated warnings and
admonitions it constantly associated IL
self with forbidden company. Dainty
Mamie Trussel, who had given her
name to as trim a lumber vessel as
ever sailed the lakes, was the tempter
of Officer Kyte's hitherto law-abidino
mind. For many years Officer No.
1,4l4 had been counted the most zeal
Gus OF policemen. He appeared to have
no thought beyond his duty. He went
his rounds with enthusiasm. The most
pugnacious lumber-shover and the most
whisky-loving sailor had a wholesome
W of him. They referred their dis
putes TO him and knew that. i'm spite of
his severity, they would be settled with
unerring Judgment. He was more
ready with a reprimand than a war
rant, but he neve broke his word. and
u threat once made was sure to be exc
cuted. The Justices complained that
he usurped their %prerogative. which
was true, for he settled many n quarrel
offhand upon the spot without troub-
ling lawyer or Justice. IL he had a diff
Guilty with any of the men who loafed.
worked, or fought, according to the
season, about the docks, he threw away
his club and went in to fight il out man
TO man with the worst of them. But
though he gave hard blows and dealt
severe penalties, he was popular alike
among workmen and EMPLOYERS, and
whenever he had been transferred to
another beat. a petition had been for
warded TO the Superintendent request
ing that Officer No. 1.414 might be re-
instated in his work on the docks.
Half-a-dozen times he had saved some
drunken sailor whose uncertain equi-
librium had given him a bath, which.
g but for the assistance Of Officer Kyte.
would have been fatal.
1t had been his luck-long before his
mind had taken TO showing wavward
tendencies-tO save the life of CAPTAIN
NAAC' AAo1NA DAit niEHA Niitti the l4I-
ter, ''half seas over, was attemptinp
to board his vessel. Two years later
that unfortunate mariner. being in a
similar condition, fell overheard in
thirty fathoms Of water two hundred
miles from Officer Kyte's beat. He
left his widow three substantial frame
dwelling-houses, whose rental. together
with the profits from her share Of the
ship, afforded her a very comfortable
living. Officer Kyle. having an interest
IN the widowed and orphaned. wa.
often at the house Of the "%'relict OF the
late Captain James Richard Trussel. g
as that lady proudly styled herself. He
listened with patience TO her endless
"reminiscences, and un1inchingly ex-
pressed establishment every time she
told him how she was about to embark
upon the Lady Elgin Che last time that
Inflated boat left the shore. and how
she had been prevented by the merest
accident-the full details OF which were
invariably given.
The men about the dock began 10
notice a decided change I'm the personal
appearance of this gOOd-naturcd guard
ian of the law. His generous boots
shone with overwhelming polish. bis
white cotton gloves were changed
oftener than before. and his good-nat-
urcd face was cleau-shaven every
morning This unusual elegance grew,
to assume the proportion Of q Joke Co
his free-and-easy critics at the lumber
market They would have found 10 "a
greater Joke set could thr, have seen
him of duty, with his star inside of hi-
coat and its place u,urped hy "a pink
rose. his uniform brushed till H. was
gulltlcss NJ spot or yagraut thread. and
bis club laid aside for q friyOlOu--lOok-
ing rattan cane Ho picked bis way
with elaborate Hghtne-. zap iHc front
steps Of Mrs Tru-scl 3 dwelling. Ilo
asked fOr-wcll. he asked for Mrs.
Irusscl She was in. BE hung hi-
helmet in the BAH. reluctantly balanced
his cane bro the corner and resigned bis
empty hands TO their fate. which was ID
very awkward one Tho widow re-
ceivcd him with proflse pOlitoness
We'll now. Ur Krie, she protest
ed smiling j haven & seen sou for
those days and ds,. Ts1 Wal +
point upon which ~ Iru--a w4. apf
10 Boz confused The visitor cres were
on q fan corner Of lho room. where 70
small head with blond. braid appeared
above % stack of -h.rl- uH.n which oc-
cupied O corner Of 'H. piano.
u was iu-t a-aiur Nauula ~ look
out What Arc t1a EId Wave ~as.
ing, continued f1. .. ...ng
That Der Hrs. r.maIb e.c.t.d 100 Ir.
spouse. -. right down and 'eH t1
it J aiv iid Ike io hear that a-.
Tc"ia'Iy sine p'0r jaime. was io-t.