The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-28
A CONSTABLE'S PLIGHT
PUT TO FLIGHT By A WOMAN, HE
SEEKS THE DETECTIVE FORCE.
The Dignity of n Hamilton County
Court Assaulted A Watch
Causes the Trouble.

Bold in the authority of a duly elected
constable of Delaware township, Hamilton
county, and with all the pompousness of a
British beadle, Edward Hume threw the
lines over the dashboard as he stopped his
horse in front of little store at No. 421
Massachusetts avenue early yesterday
morning, entered the door and with all dig
nifty announced that he had a warrant to
seze the person of Charles A. Lonergan,
charged in the justice of the peace court at
Fishers Station with the crime of obtain
ing goods under false pretenses. Later in
the morning, whipped by the scornful words
of Tftian-haired little Mrs Lonergan, Ed
ward Hume groveled out of the store. his
warrant unsatisfied.
Conste bic Humes trousers were partially
ccnfned in his gum boots. He wore hunt
ing coat mounted by an old-fashioned mack
intcsh. Ills long hair sprang out under the
rim of his heavy fur cap. His language was
that of tie uncultured Hoosier When he
made his heavy entrance into the little gen.
eral store of Charles A. Lonergan and his
wife, Mr.. Lonergan was not there, but it
was not long before he arrived.
Il want We, and I'm goin' to take we
now" saiG Hume.
Lets see ycur warrant" said Lonergan.
Constable Hume produced the warrant
from the mysteries of his manifold garments
and read it to the assembled Lonergan
family.
Here is where little Mrs. Lonergan took
a hand THAT warrants good she
said. IT'S issued by squire of Hamilton
county, not Marion county, and this farmer
has no right to take you. Put him OUT.
Whereupon Lonergan laid hands on the
person of Constable Hume and thrust him
through the door, Hume's wrath can only
be imagined. He paced up and down the
square with such u demonstration that all
the shopkeepers watched him from their
doors. After a time he returned to the I.on-
ergan store and Lonergan, to get rid of
him, told him he would go with him to a
lawyers Office and prove that the warrant
was worthless. hume consented and the two
climbed into the buggy and started off. At
and being cognizant of the primary circum-
stances thought his father had consented
to be arrested by the rural constable. He
dashed out into the street and grasped the
horse bride. Don't you go with that jay"
he said to his father. Get out Of that
buggy"
The father obeyed the sons command. and
Hume, fumings drove away He went to the
Police station and found the way to the
w.
ices Of Detective John Weible to go with
HIM to- the Lonergan home He did not ex-
plain the case to the detective further than
TO say he had arrested man and the pris-
oner had escaped Until this time the con-
stable had ignored the city police. When the
two men arrived at the Lonergans place
Hume had regained his courage and dignity.
Ionergan had gone out but his wife was
there and she began on Hume. Detective
Weihle had formed his own opinion of Hume
and he. stood by to see the fun. The little
woman's fiery glance took the nerve out of
the big constable.
What's your name?" she demanded
Shall ] tell her?' Hume weakly asked
Weible Has she got any right to know
my name?"
said Weible .soberly. You're not ashamed
of your name. are your"
Thus cornered. Hume told his name, and
the little woman wrote it down.
where's your badger was her next de-
mand.
4 haven't got any, ma am" said the
"Humph we'll here's the watch you are
locking for. Take it to- its owner and col
lect the charges"
shall take the watch?" Hume asked
Weible.
oh, well you know your own business
replied the detective.
looked fearfully at the frail woman with
glowing hair who stood before him.
My husband is an awful-tempered man."
she said, and l wonder that he didn't
knock you're face off. / believe I'll have you
arrested for assault and battery
Amid a storm of Sneers from Mrs. Loner-
gan the constable left the store, followed
by the delighted Weible.
Later in the morning young Lonergan saw
Humes horse and buggy standing alone in
front of a saloon. He waited until Hume
came out and began to have fun with him.
Hume saw his chance for revenge and called
out to d policeman, Look hyer arrest this
young Teller fer interferin' with n officer.
If it hadn't been fer him | would a-got my
man"
What kind of an officer are your said
the policeman. Where's your badger
There was that old warning again.
The policeman, the constable and the fes-
tive youth went their separate ways. Lon
ergan, besides running the little all-around
store on Massachusetts avenue, travels
through the surrounding country repairing
watches and clocks. AT Fishers Station he
took in charge a watch belonging to a
farmer named Black. He took it to his shop
and found he would have to send away for
a wheel. The watch was of a vintage of a
past age and the race of keys that once
fitted the 'winoer" is now about extinct.
Black became impatient for the return of
the German silver heirloom and brought
proceedings against Lonergan in a squire s
court. He placed the amount of his damage
at $25. The intrinsic value of the watch is
estimated by lonergan at about $.13, min
ergan said yesterday her husband would re-
turn the watch TO its owner on the next
trip he made around his route.
Uncle Billy Herod, our lawyer, said we
We're right in turning out that jay con-
stable" said Mrs. Lonergan. in laughing
recollection of the morning entertainment.