New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
THE YOUNGEST POLICEMAN IN THE CITY
LIoNIzING A Fo,CR-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO WAS
FOUND IN THE STREETS AND TAKEN TO
A POLICE STATION.

A street Arab found littlo fellow wan
derng around amlessly the other day
near Thirty fourthst. and broadway. lie
took him in charge and handed him over to the
sergeant of the Thirteth-st. police station, saying
that he thought "the kid too wen-dressed and too
Young 10 be about the streets" When the sergeant
asked the boy what his name he said that IT was
Charley Smith
"where do you live ~ asked the sergeant, kindly.
Don't know exactly; somewhere near Central
Park guess. I'm Central Park Charley Guess
I'm lost, amt ?"
Eyes, i think you aw,n answered the sergeant with
a laugh whats your fathers name?"
Charley rnine. Say, mister, like you
/ don't mind stopping here
"wen, you're welcome. Come into the back room
and make yourself at homc' and the man took the
curly haired child into THE pstrolroo When Char
lev reached the there wore some sixty big po-
lcemcn there washing up, polishing their boots and
getting ready go before the captain before relieving
the day force They all shook hands with the little
fellow and gave him many pennies that the
pockets of bis diminutive ulster were filled.
"This is pretty fine place. he said 10 a red faced
smiling policeman.
"Oh, yes answered the other with grin, It's
fine
81 think I'd like Of those stic1s' said Charley.
"Woud they care II tool. one7S pointing to the rack
of police clubs
Now you're policeman said Of the men.
vpinc his dripping lace ana bendng over the chllu
He marched gravcly around, saluting all the men
with his club almost tall he. The laughing fcl
lows capped their hands in approval and the child
bowed low with great dignity. Some one mentioned
the CAPTAINS name ard charley said he guessed he'd
90 see the Captain They asked him TO fall in line
with the rest and the little fellow did So his stick
over his shoulder. lie marched by the side 81 a
big roundsman, WHOSE knees almost came up TO tho
boys head As the Elei out the dooi and before
the Captains desk. the young policeman stamped ting
with his little boots marching proudly with the others
The mon were all laughing at the boys janny air arr
Captain Reilly called out SHARPLY, Order They
could not stop laughing however and the captain
from his seat and looked sterny at the fifty or moro
men As he leaned over his desk, he the ross
face of the boy looking up AZ lin.
Hello, Captain" said Charley, noddinS his lille
head at the grizzled one just above him
Well, said the Captain breatLessy, "who arc
you?'
policeman Charley, of Central Park said the boy
knowingly, salutng with his big club.
"Wen, Policeman Charley said the Captain, Z" just
sit up here alongside of me. L Will detail you on
special duty go a.. -,
stools next 10 the Captains lie looked over
the register pretended 20 read all the letters within
his reach, brushed thread from the captains goat
and then began industriously TO sclawl all over the
papers before him with pen He and the Captain
dned together, and sfterward the captain hunted
around until he found smaller club for tho boy
When he taken away the next day, all the men
rave him A hearty farewell and the captain gave him
a watch-cbarm and a quarter a reward for faithful
service Charley said when he left the station that
q he'll