The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-06-19
with cigars.

In those days the Office OF con-
stable didn't amount to much and as
there was actually no businesa at all for
three or four months, he fell to wonder
ing where be was going to get his ex-
pense money back. But one day he
was sent for with word that old Bill
Brown was down the street drunk and
making a distuI bance and must be
arrested. At that time there was no
police court system and the justice and
constable kept the peace. So Everhart
went down the street with as much
dignity and Importance as his size could
command. He found Bill in very tot
ter:ng state, very noisy and making il
very unpleasant for the .neighboring
stores. Hs put him under arrest, took
him by the arm and started to lead him
away. Brown who was harmless fell
low. even when drunk, objected to beirg
len away and resisted. Then EveiLart
drew back his dexter arm and smote
him. 1t wasn't much OF a blow but it
did rot take much to eend Brown to
grass in his maudlin condition. For a
moment the constable felt a glow of
pride and triumph at thus being able to
display his prowess before the encircling
crowd. But after he got his man down
he found he didn't want him there. He
want I'd him up on his feet again. so as
to get him away. The intoxicated man
concluded that as long as he was down
he might as well stay. 1t was easier
and more comfortable. So he declined
to get up when requested. 1t was some
time before the constable could feel will
ling to do the humiliating thing that of
asking the bys.anders to help put him
back on his feet again. But he b.; { %
do it because he had to get him off lie
street.
At the time there was no Jail in Ash
land. the old one having been burned
down by an inmate who wanted to get
out. Everhart took his prisoner up to
the Justices office only to find out that
the Justice was out OF town. lie was
puzzled 10 know what to do with him
but finally made arrangements with the
proprietor of small boarding house to
let him stay in the DINING room over
night. By morning the prisoner would
be sober when he could be tried and
made to pay fine.
1t was great mistake TO put an in
toxicatsd man in a dining room. When
morning came Everhart was accostsd by
a roaring landlord, furious with anger.
The noise promised to be greater than
tie disturbance the night before. Finally
the constable fished five dollars out of
his pocketb )ok and gave to the landlord
to quiet his feelings and enable him to
clear up his room. Then he took the
now sobered man up to III. justice for
trial. The prisoner was fined five dol
lars and costs. He didn't have a cent 10
pay it with. What was worse there was
no prospect that he ever would have the
money. The constable led him around
q while and then abandoned O Ie. The
justice told Everhart to let the man go
and with the warning to leave town he
was turned loose.
Everhart went back to his desk and
sat for long time without saying a
word. He was bordering over the ex.
periences Of an officehOlder. He was
learning that it cost something to be
great. Then he took his pen, wrote and
addressed an official communication,
walked across the street and delivered
t. With that one arrest began and
snded his official career.
Going home to dinner the other day
passed two little girls who had been