The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-30
MAN OF SPIRIT CRUSHED.
Midnight Adventure of Dapper Youth
and a Giant Policeman.

and Giant Policeman.
Policeman Murphys beat was In the board
ing house district. law abiding portion OF the
city. and by midnight the streets were usually
dark and quiet This night was no exception.
and he did not need to practice vigilance He
stood in the doorway OF n corner grocery.
where he was hidden from the corner light.
leaned a huge shoulder against the iron pillar
Of the grocers door and turned vacant eye
on the garbage barrel and box OF ashes which
the grocer had put on the edge OF the curb for
the first garbage cart Of the morning There
was nothing unusual about either. except that
the box had been placed on the barrel. and the
barrel projected some few inches over the
curbing.
Further down the street he caught sight OF
youth approaching. He was whistling an
orchestral interlude. and Murphy decided
sleepily that he had spent the evening at
theatre and came now from escorting his COM
panion to her home. His hat was on the back
Of his head. and he swung his arms as he
walked with the jauntiness Of young man
who has high opinion OF himself and has the
memory OF pretty smile to approve that
opinion.
The electric light on Murphy's corner showed
him to be well dressed and we'll featured. He
walked with an airy exuberance Of motion to
relieve his good spirits. tapped the light pole
with knuckle as he passed it and swung
kick into the inviting garbage barrel with no
its balance, on the curb and toppled into the
clean asphalt. and half bpshel Of deoayed
fruits and vegetables Uttered the gutter He
turned to laugh at the mess he had made
young man" he said, you can pick that up
h youns PSn he l osksS over careless
siiTuiItr. En ne e d H i, A.. 49,
again"
"Oh. can 1 ?" he smiled. What's the matter
with you ?"
nqspTsd ny Y9a piek up ~ that stun he f ordered
laughed. '''0 D'O'' o"' '''' 0"' 'l' 00'
Of the first expression nor, the incredulty, Of
et Sns
Ha Of the gloves was wa s
kick over that stuff on purpose"
Murphy bridled at the charge OF oficious-
ness. :" Hump ypuIself.he said. ,..,.,.
ri he hanged If l do" he answered. and
turned up the street
He shook It of with boys oath. The police
man hooked dsrespectful forefnGer IN bis
Official arm and struggled with it; lost his
heal and struck at the constab les face The
blow went VIDE. Murphy picked MN UP. shook
ried him. oyer to the garbage.
with me-"
The bellcose youth slipped on a soft onion
and answered hotly. " l won't, won't"
Murphy held him by the elbow He looked
about for an escape. The electric light stared
coldly down at him. Tho rows of dark houses
the Indifferent night in the clutches OF the law
the Disgrace Of police court prosecution
awaiting him with the morning. and no wit
nesses to prove his Innocence His head was
bare to the cold winds. and his ncckwear was
comfortably, punched under his ear. The
again weakly.
Come on" Murphy said. Don't make
trouble for yourself"
"Oh, you big bully" he Quavered You
couldn't take a fellow your size"
Murphy watched him. smiling. Pick 1t up."
he advised more gently.
You'll pay for this" he threatened, reach
ing for the barrel. You ignorant brute -
setting il on end.
Better not spoil your gloves" Murphy