Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-09-04
T1IRASHED INTO MANHOOD.

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Constable John Prick. That's me.
A matter rough to look at, but sound
inside.
Lots of folks affect to sneer at q
constable; look down on him in a
way, as if he was naturally mean and
no account.
But Constable John Frick, has q
soul in him, and q heart as soft as a
woman's. Indeed, :he has been called
chicken-hearted on account hewouldn' t
kick stray dog, nor tramp on sick
kitten. ..T:s.'= ~4 r..
But this is neither here nor there.
Constable John Frick is going to tell
some OF his own experience on duty.
I mind the day well when I received
the paper to warn q certain family
that they must "get out" that is
leave the house of Landlord Craigly,
because it was an awful stinging cold
day in March, when the wind seemed
to- be tearing things to flinders round
the corners of the old frame buildings;
and whistled and howled in way to
make q base burner head boss of the
ranch. ~
Rooms 6 and 7 in great rambling
barn OF a place, one of a dingy block
down by the river; q grimy looking
rick building that had once been a
warehouse. Now the long narrow
wilderness Of storeroon1s were cutinto
little cubby holes to live in at both
ends with just one window for light and
dark passageways to pass in and out.
remember thought they were mis-
cradle places for Gods creatures to
live in, and awful weather to put a
family ont onto the sidewalk in.
Imay as we'll own up that Consta.
bic John Prick had mo heart" for this
part of the business. OF course the
landlord had q right to his rent
That's evident. If the tenants didn't
pay they must go out.
All the same Constable John Prick
felt mean and uncomfortable.
TO save his neck he couldn't account
for it, but it seemed as if something
would keep on suggesting: "Suppose
there is delicate woman and a lot Of
little children?''
For answer, the soul Of Constable
John Prick kept on responding: "Put.
ting 'em out into the cold roadway
such singing weather will transferable
business, make the best OF it," and his
heart clicked" strong against it.
But this was borrowing trouble
And it wasn't "business."
1t might be that the man---Carl Sew
holm was his name on the writ-would
20 out peaceful. | know I prayed
strong it might be so, though it woulC
be fees out OF Constable John Frick's
pocket if he did.
Room 6 in the rear on the grounc
floor. / had to reach it through {
saloon. Curious low saloons seen tc
be everlastingly mixed up with poor
families who have to be put out into
the street.
Who kept the saloon I never knew
There was a greasy-faced, fat bellieC
bulk OF q man, in O. brown knit woolel
jacket, behind the bar, and slim
young fellow crouched against the wal
to one side, booty, stupid from thu
effects OF liquor or beer.
1t pretty nigh made ME sick to look
at this young chap; he was SO frowsy
and rumpled and filthy, as if he hac
been rolled in a dust heap and ther
raked through the gutter.
Mr. Sevholm. AS [ looked at him
involentarily said to myself: "Go6
help your wife and childrenH'
The greasy-faced man ierked his
thumb over his shoulder to indicate
room 6, and raped for admittance
Never was SO surprised in my life
Expected to find a slatternly, frowsy
woman to match the sodden husband
and a mess Of dirty, sQualing brats
turnbling about the floor in confusion
Nothing of the kind. II you'll be-
leve, I found a slimbuilt, pale-faceG
little woman, sitting in low rocking
chair with q wee baby on her lap, try
ing to COO it out OF the fretful pain it
was in.
One day-and not very far away
either-she had been as ''pretty as q
picture" But this was past. Trouble
OF mind had got in it's awful wearing
work, making her delicateface thin anc
pinched and Geath-like, and the biz
ewes unnaturally bright.
There was a pretty fair show O.
tidyish furniture, only it looked as 1
Encouragement had fallen like mil
dew on it and the mistress had lost al
heart in trying to keep it trim ano
shapely.
could see that as plain as big
signboard. Trouble has it's own stamp
and if you've seen it once, you know
it again the minute you set your eyes
on it.
swear, felt bad looking at the
discouragement, the troubled look or
the wolnan's face, and the wee sieA
baby on her lap-remembering the
sodden brute OF a husband outside.
made my voice tremble so, when went
to explain my bushes, that l don't
believe Imade myself understood. But
she was expecting what I came for or
account the landlord had handed il
his notice to leave. She tried to smile
poor thing, faltering out the words that
she supposed Twas the constable.
1t was an awful sick smile, though
1t made my heart ache to see it. Il
was sight more pitiful than frown
1t may seem strange admission t.
make, but Constable John Prick apol
ogized for doing his duty. Actually
said he was sorry for having to do it
Then he touched the weeny cheek o
the baby with his rough fingers ant
said he hoped it would soon be we'll