Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-09-27
The CONSTABLE'S STORY.

The CONSTABLE'S STORY.
Constable John Prick. That's me. A mat
ter rough to look at, but sound inside
Lots OF folks affect to sneer at Q constable,
look down on him in way, as il he was nat
urally mean and no account.
But Constable John Frick has a soul in him,
and a heart soft woman's Indeed. he
has been CT He'd chicken hearted on account
he wouldn't kick = stray dog nor tramp on Q
sick kitten.
But this is neither here nor there.
Constable John Frick is going to tell some
Of bis experiences on duty.
I mind the day well when l received the
paper to warn certain family to get out"
that is, leave the house Of Landlord Craigly,
because it was an awful singing cold day in
March, when the wind seemed to be tearing
things to flinders round the corners Ct the old
frame buildings, and whistled and oowled in
a way to make base burner head boss Of the
ranch.
Rooms 6 and in great rambling harm OF
place, one Of dingy block down the river
IA grimy looking brick building tina, had
once been a warehouse Now the long mar
row wilderness of storerooms were cut into
little cubby holes to live in at both ends, with
just one window for light, and dark passage
ways to pass in and out.
Room q, in the rear, on the ground floor
l had to reach it through saloon. Curious
how saloons seem TO be everlasringly mixed
up with poor families who have 10 be put
into the street
Who kept the saloon never knew. There
was greasy faced, fat bellied hulk Of a man,
in brown knit wooden jacket. behind the
bar, and IA slim young fellow crouched
against the wall to one side, booty, stupid
from the effects of liquor or beer.
1t pretty nigh made me sick to look at this
young chap; he was so frowsy and rumpled
and filthy, as if he had been rolled in dust
heap and then raked through the gutter.
Mr. Sevholm As I looked at him l in
voluntarily said TO myself: "God help your
wife and children"
The greasy faced man jerked his thumb
over his shoulder to indicate room 8, AMI
raped for admttance.
Never surprised in my life. Ex-
pected to find slatternly, frowsy woman to
match the sodden husband, and a mess Of
dirty, squalling brats tumbling about the
floor in confusion.
Nothing of the kind. If you'll believe it, I
found slim built, pale faced little woman,
sitting in low rocking chair with wee
baby on her LAP, trying to coo it out Of the
fretful pain it was in
One day-not far away, ether-she had
been as pretty as picture" But this was
past. Trouble Of mind had got in its awful
wearing work, making her delicate face thin
and pincbed and deathlike, and the big eyes
unnaturally bright
There pretty fair show Of tdyish
furniture. only it looked as il discourage
ment had fallen like midew on it, and the
mistress had lost all heart In trying to keep
it trim and shapely.
could see that plain as big sgnboard
Trouble has its own stamp, and if you've
seen it once you know it again the minute
you set eyes on it,
swear felt bad looking at the dscour-
agement, The troubled look on the woman's
face, and the wee sick baby in her lap-re-
memberi9c the sodden brute Of a husband
outside. Ii made my voice tremble so when
went to explain my business that l don't
believe made myself understood But she
was expecting what came for, because the
landlord had handed in his notice to leave
She tried to smile, poor thing, faltering out
the words that she supposed was the con-
stable
1t was an awful sick smile though It made
my heart ache to see it, 1t was sight more
piti.ul than frown
1t may seem a strange admission to make
but Constable John Frick apologized for
doing his duty Actually said he was sorry
for having to do it. Then he touched the
weeny cheek of the baby with his rough
fingers, and said he hoped it would soon he
well. and otherwise talked in way some
folks might have thought was ridiculous in
constable.
But then, if a man has a soft, tender
heart, being constable won't change it, you
know
When the landlord came TO the squire's
Office four days later, and peremptorily
ordered the things put out Of rooms 8 and Z,
Constable John Prick felt about as blue as
he had ever felt in all his life He hadn't
been able to get that delicate little woman's
face ont of his mind, nor the sick baby, nor
the drunken wretch Of husband
To tell the plain truth, he and his good
wife had talked the matter over frequently.
You see. she was a mother and had
mothers tiy and tender heart in her bosom.
quick flash to feel. where children were
concerned. Only that morning, when was
starting away on duty, she said promiscuous
like:
@Recollect John Frick, IL you put that poor
woman and her baby out into the street such
a day as this--snowing and blowing fit to
kill-you needn't never look me in the face
again.
Jane sail ID my most dignified voice,
II must do my duty
But Lord. what heap Of mean, cruel
things We sometimes do in that same name Of
duty
When the wit Of expulsion was put into
my hands, and the landlord said he wouldn't
give another day, felt meaner than skunk.
The weather was just fearful 1t was not
only biting cold, but damp and foggy, and
enough gloomy to make folks in trouble bend
their ideas to getting relief by self murder
found the ame sodden young man in the
saloon, as til y and slouchy and dirty a. be-
fore. No, come to think not exactly the
same. Now he was noisy drunk, staggering
about the place. swearing and Dragging,
thick to,isued and maudling. and looking still
more disgusting than when he was doubled
up on the chair.
What the - do you want in hereF be
yelled, as was passing on to room G.
"You irv mp, Sevholml- snapped the
greasy faced man. grabbing him by the arm
and swinging him back from following after
me. Hes get business with your wife.
Keep stiii-yoa re not fit for business
But the ilsy loafer broke oway and burst
into tire "a sS~nce Of his wife, and when had
explained the uiture Of my errand he ranted
out
ats all right, Elsie I've got . place