The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-15
TOM HART's CHRISTMAS.
a Timely Tale With a Foundation in
Fact.
WRITTEN FOR THE NEWS.


IN spite OF all the fascinating hustle wit h
out; ut least, SO thought the group OF
policcmen assembled in the cosy guard
room of the Plain Street Station, waiting
for the roll-csll which should preface
their nights work. As they sat watch
ING the fast fading twilight, for the storm
was now over, their conversation
turned upon one OF their comrades, Tom
Hart, who had not arrived.
"Too bad about Tom," said one; 81
~uess it's about all up with him. i heard
the captain say this morning that he's
afraid he can't help him with the chief
again"
s.why, what's the matter with Hart
now?" asked two or three in breath,
their curiosity aroused.
sWell, you see, Toms lost his grip, APP
parently, since his wife died, and he don't
seem to catch on. Last night there was
another bad break on his beat, and he
never knew anything about 1t. Why, they
backed team right up 10 the 'front.' door
of one OF the large stores in the brick bloeK
and carted away several cases Of goods.
"That makes the fourth break in two
weeks, and he was reprimanded in The
captains Office only night before last Tor
NOT getting on TO those fellows.'
s'You don't suppose he leaves his beat,
do your" said one OF the listeners.
81 don't know-he alwayj used to be
conscientious, but it looks queer. Here he
comes, now"
A minute later the door opened and in
walked Hart, fine, manly-looking fellow,
with clear blue eyes. with just a shade OF
sadness in their expression. and light,
curling hair and mustache, the latter COW
ering a well-shaped mouth, the corners OF
which indicated wistful good nature and
degree of determination.
After saluting his brother officers with
an apathetic smile, he went to his locker
and doffed his citizens cont
and donned his uniform with
the indifferent manner OF one who ex-
pected some dread calamity which he was
powerless TO prevent. Just then sum
mons came from the captains Office for
Hart to report to that functionary at
once. Without hesitation Tom complied.
swell, Hart" began the captain,
ssyou've allowed that gang OF burg
lars to get in their work again in
spite Of the warning gave you.
You've made laughing stock of
the whole force, and tell you the chief
won't stand it, so you may as well make
up your mind to 60"
Tom stood for a moment like one In
trance, then swallowed something which
seemed to stick in his throat, while some
thing like tear glistened in bis honest
eyes.
sI know 1t, sir, but as / live cannot
help it. I try to do my duty for the
sake of my little girl and-my
dear old mother. 1t would break their
hearts IL was turned of the force, but
suppose it is to be. Fate has been against
me ever since my vile died, and Isuppose
there Is no use trying TO kick against II
any more"
AS he spoke something in the manliness
\ Of the poor fellows despair struck sym
pathetic chord in the captains nature,
30 be softened his voice little
and replied: "Well, never mind
tonight, Tom, just go out as
uscai AID / will have another talk with
& the chief In the morning. BY the way,
you raay run across sReddy, the Kid down
your way. i hear he's around town
sgain and he may have hand in the
breaks, so keep your eyes peeled"
Tom knew "Reddy, the Kid" of old and
with q determination to find him IL pos
sible he turned from the captains desk
and joined the other policemen just in
tigue for 9 O'Clock roll call.
In this part OF the city is large manu-
facturing district, teeming with the hum
OF industry, where immense warehouses
and buildings rear their heads far above
the chimneys OF the surrounding tene-
ment houses which shelter hundreds OF
the employees OF the mills.
A little to one side of the principal mill is
quite large tract of land enclosed by an
4 old board fence, with openings here and
& there where the boards have been
pulled of to augment the wood
B piles of some INDECENT deni-
xcns OF the district Tor to make access
\ TO the place more comfortable.
In the summer time this plat Is unin-
viting and repelling enough.
At this season OF the year, however, the
earth Is hard and solid.
At the further side of the enclosure is a
group of old wooden shsnties or sheds,
the largest having been once used by the
railroad company for n storehouse.- 1t
was long ago given over to disuse, al
though an old side-track still.runs into it,
the doors were nailed upand the windows
boarded over to keep out tramps and in
scrding incendisries.
From one corner OF the boundary fence
> footpath runs diagonaily across the lot
1n front OF the oldlstorehouse to a narrow
street or lane on the other side, and Is
often used as short cut by the dwellers
IN the tenement district adjacent.
1t was In that district that Policeman
Hart lived, in q small third floor
tenement, with his aged mother
and "little housekeeper," as
be lsughingly called his bright-eyed
laughter. Mary, named in honor OF her
angel mother.
And II was about o'clock in the even-
Ing OF the day before Christmas that Tom
Hart arrived at the "short cut" in making
the rounds OF his beat. His heart was
anything but light and he was much per-
turbcd as TO the probable outcome OF the
Interview which the captain had promised
% have with the chief in the morning.
He stood for few minutes, looking
Iongipgly in the direction OF his hum-