The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-02
CURIOUS COP AND
COMMISSIONER
Didn't Know Who He Was, Talk
ing to and Told Things,
COLONEL THURSTON LEARNS
COLONEL THURSTON LEARNS
Informed That He is Pretty Good
Sort, but That Chapman is Nagging
Captain. and That Man Char
ged With Drinking Has to Lie.

Many have been the inlitators of Ha-
roun-al-Raschid, the lust Caliph who
! used to ramble about the streets OF Bag
dad in disguise. searching for truth and
adventures. The latest one is First Dep
uty Police Commissioner Thurston, as
the Sun has already had occasion TO
relate He uses no disguise. however,
and isn't looking for adventures. Yet
the adventures will come, and yesterday
he told one of them.
He generally makes mis- tours on foot
A few days ago he was returning home
about midnight Boarding a Columbus
avenue car he found himself beside n
policeman. who, apparently, was also on
his way home at the end of his days
work. In view OF what followed. the
Deputy Commissioner may be suspected
of being slightly prejudiced in favor OF
his fellow pa sseuger, whom he described
as young, good-looking and very intelli-
gent.
The man in blue who had unbuttoned
his coat and pushed his hat we'll back.
opened the conversation with some re-
mark about the weather. The Deputy
Commissioner responded by asking what
station the policeman belonged to.
Mercer Street" was the answer.
$50 YOU are with Capt. Chapman. are
YOU
Yep" said the policeman, making a
funny little grimace.
Don't you Ike him." asked Colonel
Thurston.
''oh, well. he amt SO worse. but you
could easily find better one within d
mile"
whats the matter with him."
"He makes all kinds OF dinky little
complaints against us men, for one
thing the policeman bltrted out. lust
now he has two men up for trial for hav-
ing drunk a cup of coffee in restau-
rant while on duty. But T guess they Il
beat that charge all right
How can they asked the Deputy
Commissioner, growing very much inter-
eted
why. simply by telling the truth re-
piled his neighbor. The new Deputy
Commissioner wont punish them for any
thing of that kind. He don't care much
when it amt nothing worse than coffee.
All thev have to do is TO tell the truth.
He'll give them a good dressing down,
Of course. and then he'll reprimand
them. but that's all. and that don't hurt
very much
so you think the Deputy Commission
er is all right" ventured Col. Thurs
ton, trying hard not to smile.
~ rather think he is declared the %
lfcenan 1--WE were all scared of him
when he came into the department We
had heard that he was soldier and we
thought that he was just going to take
our heads right OFF.
:'Rut I never heard that military men
were so severe" protested Col. Ihurs-
| ION = ~ -
20 vas. they are asserted the police-
man. they are a. tough lot to deal WITH
but this man is not at all that way lie
seems to want to give the men show
| All they have to do is to tell the truth
! OF course. there are times when they
| can't do it. as when cop goes and
cots lag on Then he has to lay low
| about it. for It he blurted it right out
| the commissioner would have no choice
| but to fire him
| After some more talk along the same
| lines the policeman suddenly turned to
his new friend with the question
SAY. did you ever see the deputy -com-
| missioner"
what is his name?" asked Col Thurs
| ton automatically.
him."
ooh, I know him pretty WELL and we
have quite number Of common
friends
! Say. I have never seen him the man
in blue went on, Il should like to know
how he looks
We'll our friends think that he and
| I resemble each other g. good DEAL. re-
| piled Col. Thurston.
| The policeman looked him over cr1tt-
cally before he remarked: "Oh, you amt
! as old as he Is. He is quite an old man.
| 1 hear
II shouldn't think So" said the depu-
ty-commissioner, he is about rs and
that's my own age. I don't believe he
! looks bit older than [ do" Then no
| ~ III
"I'l speak to the eputy-commssion-
er about those two men you mentioned .
| he said. perhaps I may be able TO get
them off a little easier"
Would your cried the policeman en-
Enthusiastically. that would be bully, and
| I'll tell them somebody is going to help
| them That will make them feel better,
for they are on the anxious seat a lit
| tie
Just then the policeman noticed that
he was approaching his point OF destina-
ton and he rose to get out Before
| leaving he turned once more to the man
| he had been talking 20.
Z should like to tell them who is go
ing to speak to the deputy commissioner
for them" he explained. II don't know
you-would you mind giving me your
name?"
/ Not at all, said the deputy-commis-
| sioner, II am Col. Thurston.'
/ Holy Moses." exclaimed the police
man. Then he clapped his hand over
| his mouth as if to stop himself In an
other moment he had collected himself,
/ however. and Strengthened himself up at
| attention., saluting at the same time il
| military manner.
We'll am darned glad didn't roast
| you he said. Good night. Mr.. Com
/ missioner
/ And both smiled.-Eew York Sun.
a HOT FIGHT