Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18
CHRISTMAS WITH THE POLICE.
Some of the Unique Experience The
Have mt This Season.

Christmas is like any other time with
the police, except that the blue-coated
men may have g. little more to do during
the holidays. but they will have no holi-
day. The brave fellows who guard the
peace and dignity OF Richmond by day
and night have many amusing expert
ences, and as Christmas approaches they
anticipate much 10 tighten their trials.
Christmas eggnog and other "set ups
at saloons will. beyond doubt, give the
police work TO do, but many a hearty
laugh VIII follow arrests for overindul-
gence I'm nirth-provoking drinks.
The other night popular policeman
was on duty at the desk, acting sergeant,
in one Of the station-houses. Every
thing was quiet, no complaints or arrests
had been made, and dull seconds seemed
like hours. Suddenly the door opened
and negro women entered. In describing
her the officer referred 10 her as u Char
coal blossom for she was as black
as the blacklist. She looked worried, and
timidly approached the desk
well, what's the trouble?" aueried the
officer. somebody bothering you?'
"Has. sab; en- I've cumed to issue er
warrant please, Mister Liceman," re-
nlied the woman, as she removed her hat.
and passed her hand over tho little bunch
or wool on her head, that made up her
tuck. The officer enquired further into
the case, and the story the woman told
made him all but cream with laughter.
wen. sab, Use gwine ter tell you how
man. in explaining. You see, like udder
gals, | has err Teller, an he are gwine Ter
glo me sumthing for Christmas-dat are.
ne were, but dat yaller gal, what are try
ing ter get him frum me, is done fixed
me. L dlsrember her name, but | can
get it.. What l wants de warrent fer
is fer her stealing my combings.
Your combings," asked the now amused
and interested policeman; what in the
name OF goodness do you mean. If YOU
mean that woman has stolen hair that
you nave combed from your head, get
out OF here; we are not going TO worry
justice Crutchfield with such cases." he
continued, and turned away.
But, Lordy, Mister Liceman; jes lis
ten" begged the woman. Dat gal has
done taxed my combings wrapped 'em
Ground 'er nail, and drived it in 'er tree.
fixing me so lose my teller and M
present"
When the officer recovered from his iii
or laughter he gave the woman some
gocd advice, and sent her away perfectly
happy.
Another good story happened uptown.
white man, with big turkey under his
arm, went into a place on the wrong siGe
of Broad street, and as he had been pre-
pairing for a Christmas spree, got into a
bunch of trouble. An officer arrested him,
and the patrol-wagon was sent for and
the prisoner put in and started for the
station-house. The wagon had gone about
half a block, when the prisoner suddenly
jumped out and ran back up the street.
The officer in charge commanded him TO
stop, but the man paid no attention. He
dashed into the place and picked up tho
turkey he had left on a counter and
then ran back 10 the wagon. As he
climbed in he humbly begged the police
mans pardon for keeping him waiting.
but said he had no idea OF leaving his
Christmas turkey for somebody else to
enjoy.
These little incidents rob the life of the
policeman of much OF its monotony. Many
little cases are very properly overlooked.
but of such an amusing character that
the officers cannot help repeating the
Jokes.