The Coconino sun., 1902-06-21
HE RELIED ON TACT.
AAA He Used It According to Ills 0wn Conception and with
 Good Effect.

most every walk of life. If anyone could dispense with it successfully one would suppose that it would be policeman, since a man who can back his requests with warrant and pair of handcuffs seems to have little need for the exercise of social policy. Nevertheless. an anecdote, recently related by minister whose work is in the poor quarters of a great city. shows what unexpected resources of tact are occasionally displayed even on the "force."
 The minister had often visited the home of a poor woman whose good for-nothing husband, although ami able enough when sober, was abusive when drunk. There was now sikness in the house; child was dangerous ly i'll. When the clergyman called he found the troubled and exhausted mother with bruised and blackened eye, while her sodden husband glow cred sulkily in the corner, sunk in a tipsy stupor, which might at any mo- ment break into wrath again.
 The clergyman's pity for the wom- an was mingled with anxiety for the sick child. The wife had never com plained of her worthless husband, and the minister knew she would not do so then; so he wasted no words, hut on leaving went himself to the police station and related the case.
 The burly patrolman to whom he spoke shared his feelings. It was outrageous of Tim. he declared. Mrs. Mahoney was a good woman, and deserved better luck. Tim de- served-well, Tim deserved more than he would get. There was the usual difficulty; punishment of the husband would be also punishment of the wife. Nevertheless, something must be done. Tim must be at least remonstrated with. But interfer- ence in domestic trouble is always a delicate task. and the policeman warned the clergyman to repress his indignation and leave matters to him.
 'It's tact that's needed!" he de- clared, emphatically. "Widout tact he'd only be shtirred up and make mat thers worse than iver. I know Tim"
 The clergyman admitted that he was right, promised discretion, and they proceeded to the house. Tim still sat glowering in the corner. The tactful policeman strode across the room and seized him by the col lar.
 'Tm Mahoney, ye grate baste!" he said, jerking the culprit violently backward and forward. "What do ye mane, abusin' the good wife Hivin gave ye-ye ondesarvin'. outrageous. intoxicatin' ould rapscallion!" He paused to shake him with vigor which did not permit further words. When the shaking modera ed. he be- gan again. pouring forth stream of vituperative denunciation enlivened with uncomplimentary si nile to hogs. ''divils," ''sarpents," snd other unpleasing creatures. When he ceased, the shaking began again.
 In a nomentary lull the clergyman put in a mild word.
 Timothy, you really ought to be ashamed" he began, but was cut short at once.
 "Ah, don't. sor! Yen only irritate him." whispered his friend, the pa- trolman, in nasty aside; and he re- sumed his gentle admonitions. At the end he whisked his victim from his seat. shook him in the air like a rat. and dropped him very hard in hudlled heap, too much astonished and with too little breath to protest.
 "Itll be mony day before he lays finger on Mary Ann Mahoney again promise ye that. sor!" said the po- liceman with satisfaction. as they walked away together. "All that was needed was . little tact!"