The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-02
HE THOUGHT BETTER.
a Policeman Who Was Bent on Making
Some Arrests.

Some Park avenue dansels bethought
them of taking a lark early last Sunday
morning That is what they thought and
the way they describe it, but instead OF
taking lark they took a swim. Larks
are not plentiful in the city and most any
one can take q swim at Calhoun. They
resolved to take swim even though it
was not within the hours prescribed by
the regulations Of the park board. They
were women, and they guessed they could
do what they pleased.
The long shadows were still lying on the
lake and the boulevard had not lost the
dampness of the preceding night. The all
was so cool and grateful and withal so ex-
hilarating that it had the pleasant effect OF
cool water without the accom- anying wet
ness. In a word, it was one of those de-
hghtfuIly calm mornings when the eyes
can be opened wide without any painful
contortions OF the surrounding muscles to
protect them from the wind and the glare
Of the sun.
The young women were soon enjoying
the sport, now Laundering around like
porpoises, now moving slowly and sedately
through the water like some stately sylvan
naiad taking her quiet bath in shady
grotto. Again they rivaled the feats of
the mermaids as they dived and disported
themselves beneath the surface. Engrossed
III lllGlE 1LuOCGAG SEOEU tllOy AaI1SQ " ill.,
tice the approach of danger.
EWhat are you doing there?' was the
stentorian yell that broke upon them from
the top of the bank.
For moment the maidens were discon-
certed- The policeman, for he was the
owner Of the voice, repeated the question
This time he was CURLY told that his
own perceptive powers ought to be sutfi-
Gent to ascertain that and that if they
were not it would be useless to try to make
him understand.
The officer of the law in all his majesty
was disconnected now.
Recovering himself, he said gravely,
"Don't you know that you are violating
the ordinance bathing at this time of the
day?''
ITS horrid law" snapped the blond
member Of the party as she threw hand
full OF water into the air.
81 ann very sorry, ladies, but it becomes
my duty to arrest you" announced the
policeman, who was only piece of red
tape off the big roll that constitutes the
park board and its myrmidons.
But the bathers no longer deigned to
notice him and went on with their sport.
Ibid you hear what I said?'' asked the
copper, swelling out with pride of Office
Eyes, we did. Why don't you do it?''
laughed the girls in chorus.
81 can't come out there
'Poor man, - said one of the fair bathers
mockingly. "You ought to carry bath
ing suit in your pocket. Really, when we
stand here waiting for you to come and
arrest US we are doing as much as our re-
spect for the law requires. Here we are.
Come and take US"
''Ican't, groaned the nonplused officer.
''Ha! hal ha! ba! ha!' laughed the
girls in chorus. "It's Just lovely out
here, " added the blond, with an arch smile.
But the policeman was not yet at the
end of his resources. He went away and
returned with a comrade. The two sat
down on the bank and cbuckled to them
selves. They would play a waiting game
The girls could also play it. Time wore
on, and the policemen had urgent duties
that called them elsewhere. The girls
were still frolicking in the water.
Swearing silently, the defeated officer!
Tetreated. -Minneapoli Journal.