The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-08

member of The family down to the
city hall to draw their pay.
Why, l remember when the mem
bers of the force used to carry their
suppers and always eat the meal. in the
station. They would no sooner get a
good distance away than they would
find it was time to start back again for
the station and eat their meal. This
would consume some time and you
could find the entire department at the
station having a bite at certain hour
every night
None Of the men could be classed
with the fast ones in walking matches.
and 1t would always take a good hour
to go to the station and eat. We used
to have to put out the lights those days,
and one officer got so used to looking
out for the lights on his beat that he
was considerably disturbed over an IL
Elimination on his beat the first nigh.
electric lights were placed there. He
looked at the light on top of the high
pole, and after studying on the matter.
started for the station, and asked the
captain how he would be able to reach
those lights on the high poles"
Il don't think it could ever be So"
ventured the new cop. "You don't"
murmured the old-timer. why those
commodious back rooms, where we used
to gather and discuss things in the
golden days, float before my eyes as
If 1T were yesterday. "A good-natured
saloonkeeper, when the price was not
Forthcoming, was not a rarity in those
days, and foaming nectar as it was
passed around the board was quaffed
with feeling easily beyond that of u
tramp doing UP a sirloin, after being
on diet of restaurant doors for a
week. =.
Men used to leave their barn doors
open, with bottle and sandwich hid
den In the hay. and l tell you it was
great stuff. Why, you fellows who have
Just come on the force can't realize IT.;
but Jimmie brennan, when he was CHIEF
before, used to merely whistle softly to
himself MY Old Kilkenny Home" and
lilook at the boys as they meandered into
the old station under the city hall, after
the nights salary winner with salts
fled air that would make you feel good
THURSDAY morning, when the rain was
pouring down in buckets, and I had to
dodge out of doorway and pull in nv
COMPOUNDED duty call, It made me wish
for those good old times once more
with a yearning that beat anything /
ever experienced.
Then, of course, there came a re-
awakening, and the force was reorgan-
eide, and roundsmen came into exist
ence. but they were of the Jolly good
felloW sort and even then VIC used to
nave quiet seance once in a while.
Dave Matthews was a patrolman in
those days, and so was sum Ranger
and they could tell you story or two
II they wanted to. Matt Walsh used
70 travel on Harrington corner and Rill
Robinson didn't even think of handlinc
Kerosene cans for living, but now #
has all changed, and you have to sleen
at the station for few hours eyerv.
other week, simply to satisfy the rapid
strides Of metropolitanism.'
The conversation of the old timer
brought forth many questions by the
latter days additions and the interest
was growing warm, when one Of ths
domino players called "Muggins." and
Sergt. Drohan rang the gong for ths
men 70 fall In, and the tale of the pooS
old days was ended. 49,
Ben Brown had only half filled his
pipe Tor another drag, and it was rs
reluctantly that the officers gave IN
their seats listening to the old-timer as
1t was for Ben o.put the pine in his
pocket with alHAhtal reservation 70
steal a smoke atpe frst opportunity.