The national leader., 1889-02-02
ONE OF THE FINEST.
A Four-Year-OldJ Joins the New York
Police Force and Thinks
It's fun.


wandering around aimlessly near
Thirty-fourth street and Broadway.
He took him in charge and handed
him over to the sergeant of the Thirtieth
Street Police station, saying that he
thought 'the kid too well dressed and
too young to be about the streets. {"
When the sergeant asked the boy what
his name was he said that it was Char
ley Smith.
"Where do you liveP' asked the ser
geant, kindly.
"Don't know exactly; somewhere
near Central park, guess. Pm Cen
trail Park Charley. Guess l am lost,
amt I?''
"Yes, think you are," answered
| the sergeant, with laugh. whats
your fathers name?"
Charley; same as mine. Say, mis-
ter, like you. l don't mind stopping
| here"
"Wen, you're welcome. Come into
the back room and make yourself at
home," and the man took the curly
haired child into the patrol room.
When Charley reached the room there
were some sixty big policemen there.
washing up, polishing their boots and
getting ready to go before the captain
before relieving the day force. They
all shook hands with the little fellow
and gave him so many pennies that the
pockets of his diminutive ulster were
filled.
This is pretty fine place." he said
to red faced, smiling policeman.
"Oh, yes," answered the other with
grin, sits fine."
Il think I'd like one of those sticks. -
said Charley. "Would they care If l
took one?" pointing to the rack Of po-
lice clubs.
''Now, you're a policeman said
one of the men, wiping his dripping
face and bending over the child. He
marched gravely around, saluting all
the men with his club almost as tall as
he. The laughing fellows clapped
their hands in approval and the child
bowed low with great dignity. Some
one mentioned the captains name, and
Charley said he guessed he'd go see the
captain. They asked him to fall in
line with the rest, and the little fellow
did SO, his stick over his shoulder. He
marched by the side of big rounds
man, whose knees almost came up to
the boys head. AS the line filed out
the door and before the captains desk,
the young policeman stamped time
with his little boots, marching proudly
with the others. The men were all
laughing at the boys jaunty air and
Capt. Reilly called out sharply. "Or-
der" They could not stop laughing,
however, and the captain rose from his
seat and looked sternly at the fifty or
more men. AS he leaned over his desk
he saw the rosy face of the boy looking
up at him.
"Hello, captain" said Charley. nod
ding his head at the grizzled one just
above him.
"Well," said the captain, breathless-
ly, ''who are your"
policeman Charley, of Central
park" said the boy knowingly. salut-
ing with his big club.
"Well. Policeman Charley" said
the captain, ''just sit up here along
side of me. l will detail you on special
duty"
The little chap was lifted up on one
of the high stools next to the captain g.
He looked over the register, pretended
to read all the letters within his reach,
| brushed a thread from the captains
coat. and then began industriously to
scrawl all over the papers before him
with pen. He and the captain had q
friendly chat for half an hour. Then
the two dined together, and afterward
the captain hunted around until he
found a smaller club for the boy.
When he was taken away the next day,
all the men gave HIM a hearty farewell
and the captain gave him watch
charm and a quarter as reward for
faithful service. Charley said when he
left the station that ''being policeman
was fun"