The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-11-18
SICKIM'S REFORM.
by MCPHERSON FRASER.

The police force is not the place for "A
man with much physical strength and
little moral principle. His impulses will
run lot and some time or other cause
him to ovcrstep his official authority, and
commit perhaps, murder. TfTaS is rule.
Here is the exception to prove 1t.
Jim Sickm was Il heavily built young
fellow and possessed vast amount of
hidden genial blackguardism, and he
dwelt in section of the city which con
tanned the concentrated essence of all the
iniquity and all the vice in the universe.
One day-it was long before African
geese were deposited in Back Bay Park
one day this fellow Sickim was slouching
up an alley in his neighborhood, swing
ing big stone jug, which was to be
charged, along with Mr.. Sickim, at the
handiest saloon. Suddenly there was IA
great hullabaloo in the street on which
the alley opened. Sickim scented trouble
and made tracks, but was disgustcd to
discover only hot headed horse trying
TO turn back somersault over on top of
little fat man in buggy. The little
man was scared to death, and shouted
and yanked at the reins hard enough to
twist the beasts head of, but il was of
no use. The horse had evidently made
up his mind to slay him. Sickim enjoyed
the fun for while, then set his jug on
the sidewalk and went over and pulled
the horse back to earth again. For which
he expected quarter, but when the lit
tie man got his breath he simply thanked
Sickim profusely, and asked him to call
next day at the Office of the park com
missioners.
"Are you one o. them?" asked Sickim
al am. My name is Smythc," said he
who had been scared, and drove away.
Sickim picked up his jug and went on
his way, deep in thought. He was
thinking SO hard that only the jug was
filed at the saloon.
Now, it had often been truthfully said
that Sickim liked many things better
was President of the Sons of Rest, n
local society distinguished for its phil
harmonic principles. So he wondered
whether the possible reward for saving
the commissioners life would pay for
extreme trouble Of going after it. A
happy thought settled the whole argu-
ment 1t occurred to Mr.. Sickim that
the street railroads granted-on the quiet
free passes over the city to all Sons Of
Rest. He decided to go.
Next morning Sickim increased his
apparel by a white shirt and collar,
and presented himself before the com
missioner. Who promptly rewarded
him with five-dollar bill.
''Now," said Mr.. Smythe, as he looked
his rescuer over, "what is your occupa.
tioni"
Sickim was dazed, for beyond an oc.
casional impulse to get drunk he had but
one view in life-he wanted to be a
policeman. He said: 81 am not doin
anything now, sir, but I'm goin' to try
for the police some day"
The commissioner put up his eyebrows.
How would you like to try now2 We
require good solid man like you for
Back Bay Park. think I can secure
your appointment at an early date. You
will be given nice gray suit with bras.
buttons, and you will get invigorating,
wholesome employment at good wages
What do you sayf"
"Pm agreed, SIR" Sickim answered
insanely, and II was all over.
The commissioner complimented him
self for his usefulness to the park depart
ment, and then pulled the string which
woke up the other commissioners anC
the police department Whereupor
Sickim underwent :" mental and physica
examination" and "quslifed." Tn
machine moved very smoothly, you see
and made the man who was being rul