Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-30
NR. TIDYWAITE'S MIsHAP.
London Truth.

the household OF MI JC56pa lIGY Wt.lUe,
the senior partner in Tidywajte, Chink
& Buuen's Bank, Pail Mall, when that
gentleman announced his intention Of
enrolling himself as special constable.
"Surely, Joseph, there are plenty OF
younger men avaiIable?" said Mrs. Tidy
waite.
sYounger men! Pshaw!" exclaimed
the valiant banker; drawing himself up,
like q hero Of romance, to his full height,
which was 3 feet 81 inches. owe must
show the youngsters that man need not
be passed serving his country at SO.
"But consider the weather, Joseph, and
your rheumatism, continued his wife.
''Think Of your asthma, papa, dear, and
those dreadful fogs," ADDED Miss Tidy
waite.
sNonsense, nonsenser' replied Mr..
TidYWaite, a little impatientIy, for, to tell
the truth, he had thought a good deal
about all these circumstances already. rs
is a matter of duty, Eliza. Besides,
have promised Lord Bayswater that will
serve. He called a6 the bank this morn
ing to obtain recruits, and 1 wish 70 set
the clerks an example"
Mr.. Tidywaite expected that the alIu-
sion to Lord BaysWater would have effect
upon his wife, and he was not disappOint-
ed. Miss Tidywaite, however, 2 young
lady of much sense, as well as lndepen-
dence, was not so easily siienced.
CT can't sec why they want TO call ont
special constables at ALL" she observed.
"TheIe are not to be any mere 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, pray ?"
inquired the banker sharply, and casting
a suspicious glance at bis daughter.
Winifred blushed slightly and turned
away.
II have heard people say it," she re-
piled. "Bu5 papa, dear, if there be any
danger, as you say, surely the police and
military are sufficient without the help Of
old gent mean persons IN your posi-
tioLw
''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 q
mass Of Law abiding citizens rnarsheled
in suppor5 Of the civil and military force
will Of itself strike terror into the mob
and nip the spiri5 OF anarchy in the
bud"
Winifre5 was g devoted daughter, bat
she had a sense OF humor; and the spect-
acIe Of her father striking terror into the
mob was more shan she could discuss with
gravity. The subject gradually dropped.
lister on, however, when Mr.. aud Mrs.
Tidywaite found themselves alone, Joseph
suddenly said TO his wife:
TOR NsTS-s,-- r.r--- I
"Not to my knowledge" replied the
lady. "Why DO you ask?"
because I am Convinced that no one
but O'Brien could have put that radical
clap5rap about tho special con5tables and
people into Winifre's head"
~ think she net him last night at Mrs.
Bommers', Joseph"
'Then understand, that I distinctly
forbid her,to go to Mrs. Sommers' again"
said the banker, angriIy, cor any place
else where she is likely to meet the 'yoUrg
jaokrapes. He has quito turned the
girls head. We shall have her defying
her own father next"
Now, Mr.. Edward O'Brian was a young
relitive OF Mrs. Tidywaite, who had come
to London from Dublin to study medicine.
Although he had distinguished himself at
the hospitals, was still ON the threshold of
his profession, and as his private means
were snau, he was hardly an eligible SON
.in-Iaw for the senior partner of the firm
of Tidywaite, Chink & Bullion. Moreover
ne was an earnest nationalist and a
thorough going radical, and in those
characters doubly obnoxious to Mr.. Tidy
waite. When, therefore, the banker was
apprised that an attachment had grown
up between his daughter Winifred and
The young doctor, he promptly ordered
she latter out of the house, and requested
that the subject never be mentioned
again.
On the morning after the above con
versation Mr.. Tidywaite, accompanied by
MI. Chink, his partner, and a formidable
body OF their employees, was duly sworn
in as a special constable. He had his
first taste OF active service ga the FOLLOW
ing Sunday, when after he had duly
rendezvoused at Albany StIeet Barracks at
IL a. NJ, he was marched through the
mud and the fog, perspiring and breath
less, to Cavendish square, ana there
'sheld IN reserve till ABOUT p. m. The
mob, to do them justice, did not appear
overaWed by the spectacle; on the cou-
tTary, they occupied themselves through
out the above period with facetioUs COM
ments on the appearance of the specials"
individually and collectively. Mr.. Tidy
waite, although he had contrived to get
into the rear rank, came in for his share
of this fun, and he went home with the
rudiments OF bad cold, an unpleasant
stiffness in The legs, and aggravated sense
of grievance against the lower orders
generally, but, fortunately, with nothing
worse. week or two later, however, his
fortitude and sense Of duty were put TO q
sharper test. He received a notice that,
in view Of threatening demonstration
being organized at the other side of
London, the regular coGstables on duty
IN mis- district would be withdrawn in the
evening, and special constables, in pairs,
would 'replape them on their beats. The
beat assigned to MIR. Tidywaite included
Portland square, Duchess place, and
several adjoining streets in the West
End.
The day duly arrived, and q dreadful
day it was. Heavy Snow in the morning
was succeeded by a general drizzle as the
day wore on. The cold which Mr.. Tidy
waite had caught in Cavendish square
had now assumed portentous dimensions.
and settled on his chest. His rheumatism
was also troublesome. At the last
moment Mrs. Tidywaite was anxious for a
medical certificate, but unluekily did not
think of it till TO late, and she was about
to help her husband get ready for his
work when they we're informed that g
police superintendent desired 10 see Mr..
Tiiywaite.
81 just called, SIR" said the officer, so
warn you to keep sharp lookout on No.
Portland square. 1t is the Duke of
Dublin's house. He is the Presidents of
the Irish landlords Ancient Right