The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-07-11
THRASHED INTO MANHOOD.
HY ". WENTWORTH.

Constable John Prick. That's me
A matter rough to look at, but sound
inside
Lots Of folks affect to sneer at a
constable; look down on him in way
az # he was naturally mean and nc
account.
But Constable John Frick has a
soul in him, and 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 experiences on duty.
| mind the day well when | received
paper to warn certain family that
they must get out, J" that is, leave
the house Of Landlord Craigly, be
cause it was an awfully 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 a way to
make base burner head boss OF the
ranch.
Rooms 8 and Z, in a great rambling
barn OF a place, one OF a dingy block
down by the river; a grimy-lookine
building that had once been a ware.
house. Now the long, narrow wilder
ness OF storerooms were cut into 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 out onto the sidewalk in.
| may as well own up that Con.
stable John Frick had mo heart" for
this part Of the business. OF course
the landlord had right to his rent.
That's evident. II the tenants didn't
pay they must 90.
All the same Constable Prick felt
mean and uncomfortable.
To save his neck hecouIdn't account
for It, but it seemed as if something
would keep on suggesting: Suppose
there IS delicate woman and a lot oil
little children 7"
For answer, the soul Of Constable
John frlck kept corresponding, ''Put-
ting EN- out into the cold roadway
ST h singing weather will be a misera,
able business, make the best Of it, and
his heart kicked strong against it.
But this was borrowing trouble
And it wasn't "business.
1t might be that the man-CarI
Seyholm was his name on the writ
would 90 out peaceful | know
prayed strong that it might be so
though it would be fees out OF Con.
stable John flick : pocket if he did.
Room q IN the rear on the ground
floor. had to reach it through d sa
loon Curious how saloons seem to bt
eyeriastlngly mixed up withpoor fami
lies havlngto be put out into thestreet
Who kept the saloon | never knew
There Was a greasy faced. fat-belliet
hu.k OF q man. IN a brown knit wooler
lacKet, behind the bar and a slim
yoras Glow sitting crouched against
the wall to one side. boozy, stupiC
from the effect OF liquor or beer.
1t pretty nigh made me sick to lool
st this young chap; he was so frowzy
and rumpled, and filthy, as if he hac
been rolled in dust heap, and thel
raked through a gutter.
Mr.. seyholm. As looked at him
nyoluntariIy said to myself: GOO
help your wife and children. !"
The greasy-faced man ierked hi
thumb over his shoulder to indicat,
room 8, and | raped for admit
tanCe.
Never was 50 surprised in my life
Expected TO find a slatternly. frowz,
woman to match the sodden husband
and mess Of dirty squalIing brats
tumbllng about the tiocr in confusion
Nothing OF the kind If you'll be
heye me, | found a slim-built, pale
faced little woman, sitting on a low
rocking chair with a wee baby on he,
lap, trying 70 coo it out OF the fretfu
pam 1t was I'M.
One day-and not very far away
either-she had been as pretty as {
picture. But that was past. Trou
bic Of mind had got in its awful wear
ing work, making her delicate facethir
and pinehed and death-like. and tn,
big eyes unnaturally bright.
Inere was a pretty fair show OF tidy
Ism furniture only it looked as if dis
eouragement had fallen like mildev
on It and the mistress had lost all hel
heart IN trying to keep it trim anc
shapely
could see that as plain as bi.
signhoard, Trouble has its owT
stamp, and If you've seen it once, you
know It again as soon as YOU set ewes
on ii.
swear, | felt bad looking at the dis
enlargement, the troubled look on the
woman 5 face, and the wee sick baby
on her lap-remembering the sodder
brute OF husband outside. 1t made
my voice tremble 50, when | went to
explain my business, that | don't be.
lieVe made my business understood
But she was expecting what | come
tor, on account the landlord had
handed In his notice to leave. She
tried to smile, poor thing. faltering out
the words that she supposed | was the
the constable.
1t was an awful sick smile, though.
1t made my heart ache to see it. 1t
was a sight more pitiful than frown.
1t may seem a strange admission to
make, but Constable John Frick
apologized for doinghis duty. Actual
" said he was sorry for having to do