Rock Island Argus., 1899-05-30
THE BROWNIES ON PARADE.

McConochie Lnliputians Turn Ont in Vel
vet Collars.
STEADY, boys. steady" said Phil, az
he marched his little squad out of the
Sixteenth street station for their first
public inspection. Then Miller looked
almost hopelessly at the line he was
to lead.
Now don't forget the touch. - he
continued. Cousin Charlie come
from under that hat; now, eyes right
ahead, everybody; easy on the line,
there-marchl''
The brownie band was out in the
street. Miller strode ahead. The
diminutives trotted along in a zig-zag
line, each one endeavoring vainly 10
keep up with the one next him.
Remember that the eyes of the
city are upon you broke in Phil,
attempting to cheer himself. Andy
keep step, there, you're siding like q
crab. Barney, you're all right. al
ways was proud of you. You're my
own picking. Look at Barney, you
little roosters; see what front he
puts up. There, keep your eyes in
front. What did 1 tell you about
looking around?"
The column had marched up Third
avenue into Twentieth, and was just
on the point of swinging into Second
avenue, coming west. Phil broke in
again: Keep the touch there neat
ly," he commanded, "and come
around steady, not on gallop. like
lot of scared sheep"
The column was wheeling. 1t was
the supreme moment. Phil was
elated; there were no bad breaks
not one of the club carriers had
tripped and fallen.
"Swing round and show your
clothes, my brownies. " Phil exclaimed
in ecstasy. The little fellows tried to
take couarge from the kindly express
sion of their chief, and all looked
desperately brave as they passed the
Harper house.
The blocks from Nineteenth street
to Seventeenth street were passed
without incident, Phil and his detail
keeping eyes straight ahead. As
Seventeenth street was approached
Phil spoke through his teeth. STEADY
again, now, steady he admonished,
we're coming to the ecorner.where the
whole town is waiting for us. Now,
there is no need of getting out your
firearm, George. Keep your eyes in
front of you and don't mind the band.
Keep a going until | say stop. Quit
staring at the flag like you had never
seen it before. March right up to the
front, there. now. as if you were the
bad; now stop, and don't one of you
move un til l come back
The brownie band had reached the
speakers stand in Market square, and
the exercises commemorative of the
lay were begun
The brownies came out today in the
uniforms that Phil Miller and another
citizen stood good for. The
little men headed the Memorial day
procession. While the foxy Phil
luddled the smallest of the band
N the center of the column, and
ianked them on either side by Andy
Etzel and Barney McCabe. they were
nevertheless espied trudging along
lnder their big helmets and created
10 end of amusement as they
stretched their little legs attempting
% keep time to the music. Most of
he men went no further than Market |
quare, after which Phil seized the |
to send them home for
breakfast. keeping but four larger ones
o lead the line to the court house. |
The uniforms are quite elaborate, |
With velvet collars and cutaway fronts, |
put with the exception of those of the
,hief and captain are no more the de-
ign of a polIceman's uniform than |
hev are of an admiral in the navy |
The Etzel idea is still indica-
i've. In the selection of helmets.
he acting chief is entitled to the credit
# having made an effort to get some
hing of metropolitan design, but he
las unfortunately missed it a shade.
md has selected the park policemen
lelmets where such are employed in
tead of the regular patrolmen pattern,
he style adopted being neither as light
lor as serviceable as the.regular street
summer helmet. but as
the nearest approach that
hill has ever made to a policeman's
egalia they will pass Phil means
yell, but it must be remembered that
els handicapped.
COUNTY TEMPLE.