The herald., 1897-10-14
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THE POLICE STATION GRAVE
A "Horse" on the Officer-Why the
Reporters Will Have to "Dig"


A few days ago a hole about six feet
long was dug in front of the city jai!
building to make some sewer repairs
When the excavation was filled up yes
terday morning the earth was heaped
about the level of the street, giving the
mound the appearance of newly made
grave. A policeman. endowed with a
certain sense Of humor, stuck rude,
wooden cross, made by mailing two
boards together, at the head of the
mound, and strewed some green shrubs
over 1t.
All day long an anxious group hovered
around the station and made whispered
inquiries about the mysterious grave.
Along in the afternoon, when school let
out, string of youngsters, just free
from their studies, came stringing down
the street. swinging their lunch baskets
in their hands. When they came in front
of the police station all looked inquir
ingly at the fresh mound of earth, the
rude cross and green shrubbery care
fully placed by thoughtful hands. Curl
Gus glances were exchanged, and some
of the more timid ones brushed by CIV
ing the grave as wide berth 8 possible
and then, when out of sight, breathed
their anxious surmiseS in confidence to
each other.
Maybe it's the chief died and wanted
to be buried here close to the station"
ventured one of the youngsters, who had
crowded over to the Jail side as he glided
past the awful spot.
mo, tain't the chief" said the other
lad. who had given the mound a closer
inspection. Hes too big. but wouldn't
be 'sprsed if it was the captain. though" !"
A trio of lads just free from the school
room came prattling along the Sidewalk
When they arrived at the grave curios-
ity impelled them to stop and make
some inquiries. A group of policemen
was standing in the doorway, and one of
the boys, looking up into the faces of the
bluecoats, asked:
Whose graves that?"
"Oh, that's just where we buried a
hobo we killed here" answered a wag
in the crowd.
Off came three hats, and the la DIS
crossed themselves devoutly as they
gazed solemnly al the fresh mound. Then
they passed down the street, but in a
few minutes returned, evidently not very
we'll satisfied with the explanation. The
lad who had asked the question walked
up to the policeman who had given the
careless answer and said you lied to
me awhile ago.
"What?" said the bluecoat.
Il say you lied" answered the indig-
nant youth. You said hobo was buried
there, and l know it amt It's too big
for a hobo. It's horse that's buried
there"
And the policeman admitted that the
horse was. on him.
The next time any anxious inquiry
about the grave was noted was when a
| lawyer doctor and banker all stopped in
front of the mound to discuss it.
1T seems strange to me-" said the
| banker.
Il don't understand it," acknowledged
the doctor.
| Then listen to me-" said the disciple
of Blackstone. 1.-The detectives alone
can explain the mystery lying beneath
yon sod. Perhaps it was a man with
story. He may have been robbed and
the reporters were looking for him. If
they had found him he would have
talked, and then the robber himself
would have learned through the columns
of the papers that his victim was not ig-
norant of the fact that he had been
robbed. What an awful thing. 1t would
be so much better to suppress the news
so they have buried him here to seal his
lips until they have need of him. If the
reporters get anything now they will
have to dig" The explanation was
complete. All bowed their heads anl
walked away in silence.