New-York tribune., 1902-02-07
"TOUCHES" AT THE CITY HALL.
APPROPRIATIONS WHICH SERGEANT KEN
MEL MAKES WITHOUT FoRMAI,rrY.

~'4%A4 1hAfAJ-S WITHOUT fORMAITTY.
Detective Sergeant William Kennel the big.
broad shoudered quick wItted guard in the
Mayors outer Office. contemplates writing a hook
on Strikes and Touching Tales" The pinching
cold and the grippe of poverty sends many a desti-
tute wayfarer 10 the City Hall these days. and the
crop yesterday was larger than usual.
We'll my friend" said the sergeant, briskly,
what can do for your"
The stranger was a dusty colored man ,vbo.o
big eyes were fun of as he approached the ser
geant He wore two short coats the under one
longer than the outer one. His left hand was in a
sling.
"Ah-ah wuz lookin' 70 a little assistance" said
he. "Ah done come frum Richmond County NOT
Ca'liny, a week ago. an ah got mashed so ah
can't do muffin"
"What'd ye come here for?'
We'll abs in a desp'ut fix. an SOS my compan-
ion Here his voice grew soft and his eyes filed
with tears
MY companion an me. we nearly rroze las
night down in Borough Park. We didn't have no
fire. an We amt used t sich col nights down in
Cahny. / nearly froze my nak last night did
10 Gawd. an my companion nearly froze. too. Be
you de Mayor?' he asked
mo- said the officer. I'm a policeman"
'Ah thought you mus be Mayor Low TIL seen
dat shield on ye, den L lowed v couldn't be de
Mayor. VIII you kindly give my 'spects T. de
Mayor. an tell i'm an my companion need a
little assistance? All got Z hike back tew Borough
Park putty soon-soon's see dc Mayor"
SEQ superintendent Blake, loot East Twenty
sixth-st.; he'll look out for you Superintendent
Blake-outdoor reef-te him." said Kennel dart
ing ing Tor Tor the telephone to answer call from the
Controllers office. A reporter gave tho visitor 10
cents and told him to take Second-aye. car. The
old fellow was daZed with the swiftness OF IL all
Foot er Twenty -sixth-st.. an git off at Super
intendent Blake's. All nevah bin heah afore, an
an doan tiS know wha' dat is"
He stuck the dime in his mouth, grimaced as his
hand panied him, and shambed away.
Here comes touch, " said the sergeant
briskly, different sort OF human animal tip
toed through the corridor.
Nose purple red; cuffs; coat collar turned up;
hat brim greasy; no oVercoat-species found in the
Bowery at all hours.
'Well?' said Kennel. sternly.
say, old man." said the visitor, 81 s'pose It's no
use FOR me to ask to the Mayor No? Well.
say-a quarter'n do. 1 don't make bones of it.
Yes-busted; that goes"
Did-yop,say-a-quarter?' asked the sergeant
slowly and impressively
Yes. that's 1t. That won't embarrass the city
viii it. Just have the Board of Estimate pass II
quick, will you? A quarter, apportioned according
TO Section of my revised and hungry constitution
Ten cents I git meal; 10 cents L git two balls
one morning, one night--an fl cents Z git me face
fixed up. l discharged valet an me face is
lookn bum Can you negotiate the appropria-
ton, cap?'
We'll yes, just this once" said the sergeant
but II you ever show here again-welI you'll
listen TO sparrow songs on Blackwelrs Island for
thirty days"
Wouldn't bother If had my checkbook handy
l get my Standard Oil dividend to-day-ah thanks
thanks! I'll do as much for you some day