The Washington times., 1906-12-16


the evening. Tia ware
houses were closed, and the
street almost denuded OF
traffic lie addressed short and
stern warning 10 a couple Of youths
struggling on the narrow pavement,
ANA pointed Out-With the toe OF his
boog-the undesirablity of the curb
stone as seat To small maiden of
five With his white gloves IN his
hand he swung slowly along. monarch
of all he surveyed.
His complacency and the air with
which he stroked his red mustache
and side-Whiskers were insufterabIe.
Mr.. Charles Pinner, ships fireman,
whose bosom friend q i9 had pinched,
10 use Mr. Pinners own expressive
phrase. "a week before for causing
crowd to collect. eyed the exhibition
with sueeriug wrath. The injustice of
locking up Mr.. Johnson, because "A
crowd of people whom he didn know
from Adam persisted in obsTucting
the pathway, had reduced Mr.. PiHner
10 the verge of madness. For a time
he kept behind G 80. and contented
himself with insulting but inaudahie
rvsu8rks bearing upon the color of his
WhiskeTs-
The constable turned up little
aIlev-way between two small pieces of
waste ground. concerning the deslra-
hiiiry and value OF which as building
sites 70 uutftr-board was lUrid with ad-
5ec.Ives. EIr. Pnusr was sim behind'
ne was a mau who believed in taking
what life could offer him at the mo-
ment. and something whispered 10 him
.Ha.. Ns.l
would never have such another chance
of bounet.nE that red-whiskered po-
ucemau. There We're two or three
small houses al the end of the alley.
but the only other living person In IL
was "a boy ot ten He looked TO be
the sort of boy who might bc trusted
To- smile approval ou Mr. timers con-
JemTlated performance.
c ass first thought was that chin
ney had fallen, and his one idea was
10 catch IL in the act. He made
desperate grab even before pushing
his helmet up. and caught Mr.. Pinner
by the arm
"LeEEOl said that gentleman, strug-
CLING
'Ho," said c. SO. crimson with wrath.
as he pushed his helmet up. Now
you come alous o. me, my lad"
Mr.. PMner. reEretl.ng the natural
impulse which had led 10 his undo
lng. wrenched himself free and stag
gereI against the fence Waish sur
rounded the waste ground Then he
du-keG sideways, and as a. 4s renew
ell his invitation. coupled with warn
iag concerning the fuulty OF resist
auce. struck mira fun and square on
tie temple.
The constable went down as though
he had been shot. His helmet rolled
of as he fen. and his head struck
the pavement. Mr.. PiuEer, his taste
'or huuuetiug policeman all gone.
passed tLa admiring small boy at the
double and then turning the corner
rapidly, sl4ckened his pace 10 some
thing less conspicuous.
Tle reached his home, a small house
IN a narrow turning of Gable street,
and, throwing himself into chair,
bre8thed heavily, while his wife,
whose curiosity at seeing him home
at that early hour would not be de-
MED. piled him with questions
Spend 'alf-hour with meG' She
repeated. I'm a dazed voice. Amt YOU
well ChaEle2'
"WeU2T said the fireman, frowninE,
go course I'm well But Il struck me
7you ought 20 see "A little OF me some
times when I'm ashore"
That's generally what I do see,
said Mrs. Pinuer; its been a long
time striking you. Charlie"
Better late than never" murmured
her husband, absently. as he listened
IN shuddering suspense 20 every foot
fall outside.
''Wel, I'm glad you've turned over a
new leaf" said Mrs P.uuer. .It
amt afore it was time. I'm sure
Iu go nap and fetch the baby down"
what for2" demanded her husband
shortly.
$50 as it can see a little Of you.
too" said his wife. Up 10 the pres
ent # calls every man fl sees f1rver.'
II amt I's fault roor little dear"
MT Fr-gr stfu intent on footsteps.
gruwh samethIug beneath his
breath. .-l the baby. being awaken
ed out of ils first sleep and brought
downstairs. they contemplated each
other for some time with offensive
curiosity.
Until next morning Mr.. PInner's odd
reasons for hle presence suffced. but
when ne sat stu after breakfast and
showed c,e1rlv his Intention tC remain.
hts wife insisted upon others less in
suItine 20 her intelliaence. Mr.. Pinner.
rrefaci0g HIS remarks with AN aUusion
90 n lifelong aEhorrsnc- of red whis-
Eers. made a cIoau breast Of it,
cit served him right" said hts wife,
judiciaIly. "hut itlI be six months for
You if they nab YOU, Charlie You'll
ave 20 make up your mind 10 a quiet
spell indoors with me and baby till the
ship sails"
Mr.. Ftnner looked at his son and
heir dlsparaginEly and emitted
groan.
"He 'ad no witnesses" bee remarked.
except boy. that is, and e didn't
look the sort Co be- fond O. policemen"
You can't ten bv locks" replied his
wife. in whose brain a little plan 10
turn this escapade to good account was
slowly maturing You mustn't set
nabbed for my sake
II won't get nabbed for my own
sake rejoined A1r Finuer explicitly.
81 wonder whether It's got into the
papers,
"sure to- said his wife. shaking
her head
'Go and 5Iy one and see.' said the
fireman. slauciUg al The haHN-. "TIl
look after IL, bun dent DE IonE."