The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-16
EVERY BLUECOAT A BIBLE.
LITERARY MANS DIsCOTERY ABOUT
TEYDERLOIN POLICE

He wouldn't Believe 1t Until with His Own
Eyes Ho Saw Ohicer After Oficer Pro-
duce n Copy of the Scriptures-On This
State of Affairs n story Is to he Based.
An eminent literary person whose recent
work has been more remarkable for quantity
than for quality. went to the Tenderoin po-
lice station Saturday in search Of what he
called local color. The author was admitted
behind the rail Of the sergeant's desk and was
seated between the captain and the sergeant
on the judgment seat
Captain" asked the literary man. what
sort OF mon have you on the force nowadays2"
"Oh, they're all right" answered the cap
tain. listlsssly. Then he seemed TO be struck
with an idea that gave him a great deal OF
satisfaction. He glanced at the clock and
grnned with anticipatory Joy 1t was almost H.
They're all right" he continued. except
for one thing-they'ro getting too all-flrsd re-
ligious."
What" exclaimed the author. why. man
alive. what do you mean1"
Capt. Price lie a serious. not to say an intense
person. He likes to be taken seriously. He
Rlared into the eyes Of his friend and raped
impressively on the desk.
My friend" he said, you don't believe what
say about this religious business. Now. you
needn't say you do, because l know you don't
OF Mr.. IpEersoll. have your l thought not.
About that time the boys took to studying the
Bible. Pretty soon the roundsmen began to
complain to me that thew couldn't make the
men patrol properly. Instead OF looking
for man who didn't cover his post
properly In stable or an !, all.night
trolmen went running blocks and blocks OF
their posts TO get up an argument with some
the thing. One night at roll call l had long
talk with the men about 1t. l asked them TO
give me fair show to run the precinct 80 we
hadn't the slightest desire to control the way
the men spent their time when they were of
any any interierenee from outside interests. and
the only way saw to make sure Of 1t was for
every man to give up his Bible as soon as he
came into the house to report for duty. They
have been getting along that way ever since"
Tas doRt Fl. 5Sue.d hnd OS
his helmet and walk ing up to the desk laid a
H BSe ON 'ns s9
at a side desk. touched his helmet again and
walked into the back room .,.,. 49,.
Yes. echoed, tho sergeant. what do you
Why. tell you what think" said the
visitor With manifest effort to conceal his
wS and yOS Rsd
such trouble with him as you have described.
Again the door opened and a policeman en-
tered. As the first man had done. he gave tho
sergeant Bible and the roundsman some
papers before going into the other room. The
author looked at the Captain, and the captain
looked trium phantly at the author. Before
anybody had time TO sayanother thing, another
policeman came in and deposited Bible on
leaned back in his chair with an expression Of
blank astonishment.
II am almost persuaded" he said. smiling.
for know you didn't know l was com ing
here to night. and even though you had you
have no time TO spend in elaborate practical
Jokes like this"
port TO the roundsman. but did not deposit .
Bible before turning to 60 back.
. Here, you the CapHtsin1 called after him.
The man wheei ed around as If he had been
| shot He dug down into his coat-tail pocket
and after much effort, produced Bible. The
You" he shouted. you know that amt the
..1n I'm sorry; captain," the man STAN msred.
See you don't forget it again" the Captain
Then he turned 70 his visitor. Perhaps the
s'Sf' wiz indeed 'I said i S the aathor, and
heartily to for doubt
state OF affairs-that simply could not believe
it.. | shall base story on IL
serve good I W.; word once in While" po'e0 w.
The author departed Whom he was we'll cut
Of the door the CHrtain and the sergeant
laughed into one anothers faces long and
'Roundsman." said the Captain. pointing to
the pile OF twenty or more Bibles that was on
be any more registration Of voters Tor a week,
and you had better put these away until they
are needed again"