The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-06
THOUGHT HE WAS SpOOK.
Il PoLICEMAH,s ADVENTURE W.T.
A STREET WALKER.

The communicated abeut TO Leap from the
Railing Over the hast Forty-second street
Tunnel when leaded or by y second Dluo-
cont-It was HuEhcs's second Enconnter.
A clock in tho distance slowly struck the hour
OF 3. 1t was Sunday morning. No noise, save
tho pntter of n belatcd passor-by's footsteps, dis.
turbcd the reveric OF Policeman Hughes OF tho
East Fifty-frst street station az he leaned
against a lamp post in front OF 341 East Forty.
second street. Near by was the East Forty
second street tunnel. A few houses down the
street, Mt 347, there had boon q casa OF small.
pox three months ago, and since thcn the
building had remained nnrentcd. As the police.
man finally resumed his walk toward the river
he chanccd to look up at tho house. What no
saw there caused him to stop suddenly. A
white figure carrying n Pickering light stood
nodding and bobbing at him.
"Who-who's tbercl' hoarsely asked Hughes,
taking n firmcr hold Of his nightstlck.
No answer.
Come down out OF that or I'll go after you"
For reply the lightswent out.
Muttering n hasty prayer Hughes rushed up
the stoop. The door OF the house was open. In
ran the policeman. The next instant he col
lided with a body coming In tho opposite di.
~rection.
"A spook!' shouted Hughes.
"A burFlar!' exclaimed tho spook as they
g%rappled.
Out toward tho door they struggled. In the
dim light OF the street lamp Hughes found his
prisoner to be a much alive person dressed In
scanty apparel.
I'm the j%anitor," gaspcd the man.
Thank God!' answered Hughes, turning
away and walking back to his friendly lamp
post. For several minutes the policeman leaned
against his iron friend. The scare had been u
great one, and his nerves were shaken.
II don't mind fighting Il man, but a ghost.
u gives Inc the shivers to think OF It" and
Hughes shivcred.
4 door across the street slowly opened with
clad figure, Straight for the railing bordering
the tunnel It walked. Once there A. paused ana
apparently looked over toward the shivering
hughes's helmet rose, his knees knocked to-
gcther. and his teeth chattered.
The figure bobbed to and fro.
BE yez IA spook or be yez n mani Answer"
sole reply 70 the policeman's exhortation. Hold
ing down his helmet, which still persiStedin as.
S SS.t nSsct the Pc, PoiiG sgnrn S SSlsed to-, tow SsSs Pro- in .
manner which threatened to dislocute, II,
and also started 10 walk around the railing
did the spook. Again the Policeman moved,
and 30 did the figure. At this rate both would
The bare thought OF the idea caused mughcs's
helmet to ascend still further and his teeth to
gan to run for the lamp post. AS 1t ran II
looked down over the railing to the car tracks.
twenty-five feet below.
Don't jump. You'll kill yourself" shouted
Hughes, u vague idea that the spook was going
to commit suicide creeping into his excited
brain. stop, | say" continued the policeman,
as he ran To head of the spook.
From out OF the gloom OF Prospect place
another figure emerged, south OF Forty-second
street.
Help. Head him of! Stop him! He'll
jump cried Hughes. .
The second figure, afro a policeman. heard
and calamity responded to the call for assist
ance. 'rhe silence OF 40 short n while ago was
broken by the scurrying OF feet. 1t looked like
an even race. with the spook slightly in the lead.
The second arrival put on an extra burst o;
speed. Another moment and he grabbed. the
spook. just as IL started TO jump over the railing.
What's the matteri Where am i" tho
spook gRspcd, sinking In a heap on the ground.
He was told what he was doing.
That's the second time this month that I've
walked in my sleep. III kill myself yet"
Then you amt a spook. heyi' asked Hughes,
trying to make his voice sound regretful.
"Spook nothing answered the man, who
wore only a nightgown. as he assembled the
steps OF the house at $40.
Say. McQueni, do you believe in spooksi'
asked Hughes Of his companion.
NO. Do youf"
I'm damned IL l know" and Hughes re-
turned to his lamp post.