Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-11-13
THE CONSTABLE'S STORY.

Constable John Frick. That's me.
A matter rough to look at, but sound
inside.
Lots of folks affect to sneer at con-
stable; look down on him in a way as if
he was naturally mean and no account.
But Constable John Frck has soul
in him, and a heart as soft as a woman's.
Indeed, he has been called chicken
hearted on account he wouldn't kick
stray dog, nor tramp on a sick kitten.
But this is neither here nor there.
Constable John Frick is going to tell
some of his own experience on duty.
l mind the day we'll when received
the paper to warn a certain family that
they must "get out" that is, leave the
house Of Landlord Craigly, because it
was an awful singing 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 base
burner head boss of the ranch.
Rooms 6 and Z IN great rambling
barn of place, one CT dingy block
down by the river; a grimy looking brick
building that had once been a warehouse.
Now the long narrow wilderness of store
rooms were cut into little cubby holes to
live in at both ends with just one win
dow for light and dark passageways to
pass in and out.
I remember I thought they were mis-
cradle places for Gods creatures to live
in, and awful weather to put family
out onto the sidewalk in.
may as well own up that Constable
John Frick had ''no heart" for this part
of the business. OF course the landlord
had right to his rent. That's evident.
If the tenants didn't pay they must go
out.
All the same Constable John Frick 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 a deliouto woman and a lot of
little children2"
For answer, the soul of Constable John
Frick kept on responding: Putting
'em out into the cold roadway such
singing weather will be miserable bust
ness, make the best of it." and his heart
clicked" strong against it.
But this was borrowing trouble. And
It wasn't "business."
It might be that the man-Carl Sew
holm was his name on the writ-wou d
60 out peaceful. 1 know l prayed
strong it might be so, though it would
be fees out of Constable John Frick's
pocket if he did
Room 6 in the rear on the ground
floor. had to reach it through saloon.
Curious how saloons seen to be ever
lastingly mixed up with poor families
who have to be put out into the street.
Who kept the saloon I never knew.
There was greasy faced, fat man, in a
brown knit woolen jacket, behind the
bar, and slim young fellow crouched
against the wall to one side, boozy,
stupid from the 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 had been
rolled in dust heap and then raked
through the gutter.
Mr.. Sevholm. As l looked at him
involuntarily said to myself: "God help
your wife and children"
AAO greasy -ldCeu Hdu JeTkeu uls
thumb over his shoulder to indicate
room 6, and I raped for admittance.
Never was so surprised in my life.
Expected to find slatternly, frowsy
woman to match the sodden husband,
and mess of dirty, squalling brats,
tumbling about the floor in confusion.
Nothing of the kind. If you'll be.
lieve, I found slim built pale faced
little women, sitting in low rocking
chair with a wee baby in her lap trying
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 picture. >
But this was past. Trouble of mind haG
got in its awful wearing work, making
her delicate face thin and pinchcd anc
death-like, and the big eyes unnaturally
bright.
There was pretty fair show of tidy
ish furniture, only it looked as if dis
couragement had fallen like a mildev
on it and the mistress had lost all hear
in trying to keep it trim and shapely.
could see that as plain as big sign
board Trouble has its own stamp, ant
if you've seen it once, you know il
again the minute you Get your eye
on it.
l swear, I felt bad looking at tn,
Encouragement, the troubled look OF
the woman's face, and the wee, sicl
baby on her lap-remembering the sod
den brute of husband outside. | mad
my voice tremble so, when went to ex
plain my business, that ] don't believ
made myself understood. But she wa
expecting what came for on accoun
the landlord had handed in his notice {,
leave. She tried to smile, poor thing
faltering out the words that she sup
posed that was the constable.
It was an awful sick smile, though
1t made my heart ache to see it. 1t wa
sight more pitiful than frown.
1t may seem 3 strange admission t.
make, but Constable John Frick apollo
I gized for doing his duty. Actually salt
he was sorry for having to do it. The
he touched the weeny cheek of the bab,
with his rough fingers and said he hope,
it would soon be we'll, and otherwis
talked in a way some folks might hay
thought was ridiculous in a constable
But then, if a man has soft, tendc
heart being n constable won't chance il