The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-04-16
ACTTY INCIDENT.
BY GEORGE ABE.

nNE day q young man was walking
u along street in Chicago enjoying
all of those liberties which are guar
anteed to us by the constitution.
He was well-dressed young man of
frank and open countenance, and his
career up to that particular moment
had been particularly free from blame.
In his. younger days he had attended
Sunday school, Later on he abandoned
the practice, Nth great relief to him
self, but he continued to wear his best
clothes on Sunday, and he never stole
from bank or murdered any of his
relatives, which he might have done if
he hadn't attended Sunday school in.
early life. His conscience was COM
paratively clear, and he was not pre-
pared to feel a heavy hand on his Shout
der and to hear grinding bass voice
say: "Here! Come back heref'
1t was a policeman, of course. The
young man was greatly surprised, and
asked: "What do you want? What's
the matter?"
Now, merely to digress for moment.
When an innocent man is arrested by
policeman he may be grieved and
Inundated or he may be stunned with
surprise or he may be calm and.col-
1ected.
If he is grieved and Inundated the po-
liceman interprets his conduct as
virtual admission of guilt, because if
ho fcvff ~ xI,x~ IL l. L.,
ried by the mere formality of an arrest?
If he is surprised, that proves him to
be an experienced criminal who is try
ing TO pose as an honest man.
If he is cool and Indifferent, that is
positive evidence that he is an old and
hardened criminal who is accustomed
to being arrested.
No matter what the conduct of the
man may be at the trying moment. he
will convict himself in the eyes of the
officer. 1t is inevitable that police
man should come to regard every man
rs guilty until he can prove his inno-
cence beyond the shadow of a doubt.
A strong presumption of guilt closes
upon every man who comes under sus-
picion, and it cannot be removed ex-
cept by overwhelming evidence, and
even then the policeman reserves the
right to have his doubts.
Consequently, when this particular
policeman had held of this particular
young man and the young man gasped
in establishment and asked: what do
you want?" the policeman saw in mo-
ment that he was dealing with tricky
Vld-timer.
Now, don't give me none of that!" he
exclaimed. Where's that leather you
just swiped from the lady?"
II don't know what you mean.
Jaw, come off. I've heard too much
OF that kind of talk. Come along. Come
with me-
They walked back to the corner
where nervous and excited woman
was telling her story to a placid Ger
man who had stepped out Of butcher
shop.
rs this him, lady?" asked the police
man, pointing to the young man with
the Sunday school record.
Yes, officer, that's the very one"
did he grab it out of your hand?"
mo, for l had it here in the outside
pocket of my jacket, and just al he
came past me here he brushed against
me, and as soon as he got past / felt in
my pocket and the purse was gone. and
then saw you here at the corner and
told you.
We'll. madam, IL didn't take your
purse" stammered the young man, and
anyone who was half detective could
have perceived that he was confused
by the overwhelming evidence of his
guilt.
I'VE know all about that, too" said
the policeman, with grim smile at the
woman. 'You be at the station to-
morrow morning at nine o'clock,
ma'am. I'll take your name and put
It down. I'm Officer Reddy."
The young man, having somewhat re-
covered ard recognized the danger of
his situation. began to try arguments
Qp The policeman.