The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-12
Tho Abdication OF the Constable.

The case Of ISAAC W. TALBOT OF Easton.
political psychology. On March s. TALBOT
was appointed Constable of Marion town
ship, an office which he had greatly desired
and had made great efforts to secure for
himself. He fled his bond at the Court House
and departed. Fifteen minutes aftsrward
he returned to the Court House and re-
signed his office. He gave no explanation.
It is for the political Psychologists to find
the true one. 1t Is not plausible TO suppose
that the honor and happiness OF attaining
the object of his ambition proved sweet
enough to cloy In fifteen minutes. His
appointment had not been fully nolsed
abroad yet. and could have been known to
few but the officials and the loungers at the
Court House. The fact that he was Consta-
BILE was spread upon the records. but 1t had
no time to spread through the town. His
was not the full and proud conscious
ness OF being q Constable. revered by
his fellow-citizens. dreaded by eviidoers.
pillar OF justice. the stern pursuer
OF mischievous boys and homeless yellow
dogs. The stan and the authority were not
established In him. Time had not hallowed
his prerogative. He was not gazed at more
than usual as he passed along the village
street. Stray pigs did not fee before
him. Stray cows hooked" at him as they
would not have dared to do II his constabu-
larry dignity had become thing of common
knowledge. and dogs barked at him as he
walked by them. and small boys made the
fiR at him. He had no taste Of the real
power and glory OF his ONCE. Whatever
was his reason for making the great refusal.
II could not have been safety.
There is no record OF any act performed or
neglected by him during his perhaps ten
minutes Of ONCE. The town bully didn't
offer to lick him. At least history doesn't
say SO. The town drunkArd. as a favored
and semi-oficiAl. though less exalted char
acter. didn't see him in time to ask him for
the price OF q half pint as largess In honor
OF his induction into once. No scolding
vixen. no mad dog. no fight upon the village
green. no sanguinary gentlemen with guns
hunting for blood and ready to "plunk"
the Constable In spirit OF guileless merri-
ment. frightened him or Disguised him with
his ONCE. and led him TO lay 1t down. We
know not what the psychologists may think /:
1t was not pusillanimity. In our opinion. but
a conscientious and self-seaTching spirit
which made ISAAC TALBOT give up the place
OF Constable In the good township of Marion,
suppress the qualification Of his lifelong
ambition, and step into the ordinary walks
OF life, again private man. He must have
reasoned TO himself thus: THE duties
OF the ONCE OF Constable OF Marion town
ship are many and arduous. They reach
from angling on Sunday TO yendue and be-
yOnd. They involve thousand dangers. diff
nculties. delicate and intricate points.
The Constable OF Marion township touches
life there at all points. Certainly be who is
worthy TO be Constable should be capable
Of becoming Sheriff and everybody knows
that Sheriff may DO President OF the
United States. Have the ability. the pa
thence. the knowledge Of men and thinEs.
the concilistOEy temper, In short. the Wiz
dom and ell the other qualities desirable In