The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-02-23
MIR. TIDYWAITE.
His Service as Special Constable
and What Came of It.

No slight sensation was occasioned in the
household of Mr.. Joseph Tidywaite, the SEN
ior partner in Tidywaite, Chink q Bullen's
Bank, Pail Mall, when that gentleman an
nounced his intention of enrolling himself
as special constable.
"Surely, Joseph, there are plenty of
younger men availablel" said Mrs. Tidy
waite.
younger menl Pshaww exclaimed the
valiant banker, drawing himself up, like
hero OF romance, to his full height, which
was lust fl. 614 in. ave must show the
youngsters that a man need not be past
serving his country at fifty-nine."
sBut consider tho weather, Joseph, and
your rheumatism" continued his wife.
think of your asthma, papa, dear, and
these dreadful fogs," added Miss Tidy
waite.
Nonsense, nonsensew replied Mr. Tidy
waite, little impatiently; for, to tell the
truth, he had thought a good deal about all
these circumstances already. '1t is mat
ter of duty, Eliza. Besides, have prom
ised Lord Bayswater that l will serve. He
called at the bank this morning TO obtain
recruits, and l wish to set the clerks an
Example"
Mr.. Tidywaite expected that the allusicn
10 Lord Bayswater would have effect upon
Ills wife, and he was not disappointed.
Miss Tidvwaite, however, young lady of
much sense, as well as independence, was
not so easily silenced-
II can't see why they want to call out
special constables at ALL" she observed.
There are not to be any more attempts to
hold meetings in Trafalgar Square; and, if
the people had not been stopped from going
there, there would have been none Of this
disturbance"
And where did you learn that, prayi'
inquired the banker sharply, and casting q
suspicious glance at his daughter.
Winfred blushed slightly, and turned
away II have heard people say it," she
replied. But, papa, dear, if there be any
danger, as you say, surely the police and
the military are suffi cient without tho help
of old gsnt-I mean persons in your posi-
tionr
My dear Winifred," replied her father
'you must excuse my saying that you do
not understand what you are talking
about. The magnificent spectacle of mass
of law abiding citizens marshalled in sup
port of the civil and military forces will of
itself strike terror into the mob, and nip
the SplrlJ Ol dudTCuy III IIlo Uuu.
Winifred was a devoted daughter, but
she had a sense of humor, and the magniti-
cent spectacle of her father striking terror
into the mob was more than she could dis
cuss with gravity. The subject conse-
auently dropped. Later on, however, when
Mr. and Mrs. Tidywaite found themselves
alone, Joseph suddenly said to his wife:
HAS Ted O'Brien been here againP'
l.. ! ,
1'Why do you askm
because l am convinced that no one but
O'Brleu could have put that Radical clap
trap about the special constables and the
people into Winifred's head"
al think ;hat she met him last night at
Mrs. Somerse"s, Joseph"
.'Then understand that distinctly forbid
her to go to Mrs. Somerset's again." said
the banker, angrily, ''or anywhere else
where she is likely to meet that young jack
anapes. He has quite turned the girls
head. We shall have her defying her own
father next"
Now, Mr.. Edward O'Brien was a young
relative of Mrs. Tidywaite, who had come
fe London from Dublin to study medicine.
Although he had distinguished himself
at the hospitals, he was still on the thresh-
DEU O1 us pIOACSSlOus duO, dS us private
means were small. he was hardly an eligi-
BILE son-in-law for the senior partner in
Tidywaite, Chink & Bullen. Moreover, he
was an earnest Nationalist and q thorough
going Radical, and in those characters
doubly obnoxious to Mr.. Tidywaite
When, therefore, the banker was apprised
that an attachment had grown up between
his daughter Winifred and the young doc
tor, he promptly ordered the latter out of
the house and requested that the subject
should never be mentioned again.
On the morning after the above conver-
sation Mr.. Tidywaite, accompanied by Mr.
Chink, his partner, and a formidable body
of their employees, was duly sworn in On
special constable. He had his first taste Of
active service on the following Sunday,
when, after he had duly reudezvoused at
Albany street barracks a. eleven a. m, he
was marched through the mud and the fog,
perspiriny and breathless, to Cayendish
Square, and there 'held in reserve till
about i've p. m. The mob, to do them
Justice, did not appear overawed BY the
spectacle; On the contrary, they occupied
themselves throughout the above period
with facetious comments on the appear
ance Of the Specials" individually and