New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-26
NIGHT ON THE BIG BRIDGE.
WHAT MAY BE SEEN AND HEARD THERE.
EXPERIENCE OF THE NIGHT PoLIcE-sHRIEKs FOR
HELP FROM THE RIVER

EXPERIENCE OF THE NIGHT PoLICE-sBRlEKs FOR
HELP FROM THE RIVER.
The sights aud sounds the New-York and
Brooklyn Bridge al night differ from those OF the
day as much the great arc of electric lights on
that aerial highway differs from the glare Of high
noon. Countrymen by the hundreds drift idly across
the structure between and sunset every day
People visiting New-York for the first time linger
long on the Bridge. They look at the hurrying
crowds who rush along the promenade going west
ward to New-York In the morning and eastward to
bed and board In Brooklyn at nightfall. They
hang the parapets. let their gances range over
the two great cities throbbing with busy life. mark
the rapid tide of the East River flowing under
their feet with the fleets and flags Of
the world lying at the wharves, ply
the wearied policemen with countless queries
about the Bridge and then when they return to
their homes they talk to their friends and &C
quaintances for hours concerning the stupendous
structure. But they have seen only one side OF
life on the Bridge. 1t Is after the electric lights
have supplanted the day. when the apparently
endless string of vehicles and funeral professions
that have been rumbling across the roadway for
twelve hours has dwindled to occasional truck or
carriage that the second side Of life the Bridge
sets in. he steady roar OF the cities ceases to
Jar on the ear, the last traveller homeward to
Brooklyn with a weary look on his face and
thoughts Of supper In his head has passed hurredly
The mighty arch is now gwen over to family
groups and to loveh.
The last TO leave the Bridge are the lovers The
young fellow" and his best girl" will let bliss
full companonship trench on seepIness every time.
They form pleasant feature of evening life on the
Bridge. these lovers. Solitary among moving
crowds, his muscular encircles her waist and
~ fill o+Ja nhnIU M
tees them. They are too common and in that be-
lief is their great solace and But though
they love to linger, by IL o'clock they
following in the wake OF the
vanishing domestic circles. The benches under
the towers became vacant Perhaps some lone
youth fingers upon them read again in the white
glare Of the electricity a missive well-thumbed,
dirty and misspeled. The policeman looks at him
ptyIng.y and passes on to his little cabin where
his of coffee SINNERS gently on the OIL stove.
Poor dgit," says the policeman softly to himself.
he's eatn his white bread now" The policeman
gets 81 day and has TO support wife, mother
In-law and eight children out OF that. tie ptles
the young fellow ont on the bench. But the Young
fellow doesn't care for the policeman. lie cons the
letter with the faulty orthography and his ardent
affection for the writer CLOVIS with increased tervor
Midnight sees tie last lover gone from the
Bridge At that hour the policemen are
changed. he members OF the night squad
that then comes on different expressions
from those of tue day men. The stony stare and
curt repiY of the day policeman, who delights to
freeze the marrow IN the bones OF countrymen
seeking information. find no imltators among the
night patrol The night man talks with any pass
ing foot traveller 80 long the latter Will be be-
gued. When tue foot travellers cease 10 amuse
there is usually an animated dialogue going on be-
tween the policeman on the promenade and his
neighO down on the driveway. These intel ect-
ual exchanges Of views have a wide scope, and en-
brace religion politics. philosophy and the price
and quality of the various brands of chewing to-
bacco, There are no jumping cranks to worry the
. soul and tax the vision of night policeman. But
there no lack OF incidents TO interest the night
watchmaD. A reporter crossing the Bridge at
o'clock one morning noticed a policeman leaning
over the parapet In listening attitude. Inc re-
porter stopped walking and listened. Family on
the nj ht air he uld hear cries that seemed to
come from tar up the East River, about opposite
Havemeyers sugar refinery. woman was scream
ing Murder muIderp Presently the cries
ceased.
What is 1t I" asked the reporter.
Some de vilishness going on down on the river,
nuttered the policeman. We often hear cries OF
people IN distress out the river We are help
les, to do anything up here. By-and-by the cries
stop and that is the last OF 1t. Sometimes we see
man go down TO the dock. We can see him plainly
By the light jump into the river. If he ever comes
out. we never see him.