The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-02-15

mr. hatnDOno was GOOd nan Until Ids
couraged.
"My name is johnson Cummerford
Rathbone, G. NJ" he said, as he entered
the police station and looked at the
sergeant over the desk.
"Yes," was the reply, as the officer
looked up. "Well, what's the matterT'
II want proper credit, SIR"
"What for?"
"The g. NJ after my name stands for
good man. That's what !. am. 1 ar
rove in the city early this morning. Be-
fore 1 was out of the depot a man came
up to me and wanted to know if I would
help him rob bank. repulsed him
with scorn. Didn't I do the right
thing?"
"Yes, that's right" replied the SER
geant.
I'm glad to hear you say so," con-
tinued Mr.. Rathbone, as he rubbed his
hands with self-satisfaction. "As got
out into the street another man came up
to me and said he'd give me ten dollars
TO set the city hall on fire. Hooked him
up and down, like this, and then 1 re-
pulsed him with ignominy. Yes, sir
gave him to understand that was no
such man. Wasn't that right to re-
pulse him with ignominy?"
"Yes, l suppose So" sighed the SER
geant, as he worked away at his reports.
Il dropped into an eating house to get
a bite to eat" said the caller, "and
man sat down at the same table and told
me in confidence that he wanted to get
rid OF his wife in order to marry again.
He offered me $50 if 1 would go up to the
house and knock her on the head. Did
shake hands on it? Not much! Ire
pulsed him with burning indignation
and let him see that was no such man.
Didn't deserve a tally mark for that?"
Yes, I'll tally you," replied the SER
geant without looking up.
About an hour after that was talsin'
drinkinas saloon and a wall-eyed duffer
called me aside and offered me S25 to
murder child four years old that he
might fall heir to large amount of
property. He sized me up for a cold
blooded demon, but he made a grand
mistake. Irepulsed him with gigantic
contumely. Don't deserve credit for
that?"
you bother mel" exclaimed the SER
geant, as he looked up. Cant YOU
come around some time next winter and
tell your story?"
"Some time next winter!" gasped
Mr.. Rathbone. "Great Scott! but is
this the proper way to use an honest
man? Haven't you been listening to
my story?"
Il am very busy, you know. Come in
january or February-come some dav
when / have lots of time"
"And do you turn an honest man away
in this fashion,"
Il said January or February. Ifyou
could make it March or April it would |
be all the better. Glad you called-see
you later"
Look here, mister!" exclaimed the
caller, as he pounded the desk. 81 am
johnson Cummerson Rathbone, G. NJ.
which means good man. Ihave refused |
to rob bank, commit arson and do
murder, and yet you throw me down
with overwhelming frigidityl Is this
my reward? Is this the sort of prize
packages you give away for meritorious
deeds?"
"Yes-very busy-come in May or
june" replied the sergeant, in a far.
away voice.
"Never, sir!" shouted Mr.. Rathbone.
never! I'll not return in january,
February, March, April, May, June, nor
any other month of the year! go out
from here, sir, different man! 1 ex-
pungc the e. NJ from my name and
replace it with b. NJ which means
Bad Mainland will rob and murder
and burn and STAY and kill and become a
human hyena, and make the population
OF this city tremble with terror and
howl and fear! Frigid and Indifferent
officer, ood-by!"-Detroit Free Press