Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-12-14

S>Ss.9
In the %tWtnkltng of an eye they had
closed.
| eagerness, land l wouldn't say a word
to a soul. I'll take my solemn davit
l wouldn't"
when l think O. my garden be-
gan the constable. With a sudden
movement he knocked off Mr.. Grum-
mit's cap, and then, selling him by the
coat, began to hustle him along the
road. In the twlnkllng Of an eye they
had closed.
Tunwich church chimed the half hour
as they finished, and Mr.. Grummit, for
getting his own injuries, stood smiling
at the wreck before him. The con-
| stables helmet had been smashed and
trodden on, his uniform was torn and
good looks marred for a fortnight at
least. He stopped with q groan, and.
recovering his helmet, tried mechanical
ly to punch 1t into shape. He stuck
the battered relic on his head. and Mr..
Grummit fell back awed despite him
self.
1T was a fair fight" he stammered.
The constable waved him away.
~Get out o. my sight before I change
my mind" he said fiercely. and
mind, II you say a word about this it'll
be the worse for you"
do you think I've gone mad?" said
the other. He took another look ut
his victim and, turning away, danced
Enthusiastically along the road home.
The constable, making his way to a
gas lamp. began to inspect damages.
They were worse even than he had
thought, and, leaning against the lamp
post, he sought in vain for an explana-
ton that, in the absence of a prisoner,
would satisfy the inspector. A but
ton which was hanging by a thread
fell tlnkling on to the footpath, and he
had just picked it up and placed 1t
in his pocket when a faint distant out
cry broke upon his ear.
He turned and walked as rapidly as
his condition would permit in the direc-
ton of the noise. 1t became louder
and more imperative, and cries of "Po-
lice!!' became distinctly audible. He
quickened into a run, and turning a
corner beheld q little knot Of people
standing at the gate of a large house.
Other people only partially clad were
Fastening toward them. The consta.
I,Io o,r1,o1 o,,< ~ hroo%h
Better late than never" said the
owner Of the house, sarcastically.
Mr.. Evans, breathing painfully, sup
ported himself with his hand on the
fence.
'sThey went that way, but I suppose
you didn't. see Them" continued the
householder. "Halloaw he added, as
somebody opened the hall door and the
~constable's damaged condition became
visible in the gaslight. "Are you
hurt?"
YES" said Mr.. Evans, who vas try
ing hard to think clearly. To gain time
he blew a loud call on his whistle.
1.-The rascals!" continued the other.
81 think l should know the big chap
with a beard again. but the others
were too quick for me-"
Mr.. Evans blew his whistle again
thoughtfully. The opportunity seemed
too good to lose.
did they get anything?" he in
quired.
Not a thing" said the owner, tri-
umphantly. II was disturbed just In
time"
The constable gave a slight gulp. II
saw the three running by the side Of
the road" he said, slowly. "Their be-
havior seemed suspicious, so l collared
the big one, but they set on me like
wild cats. They had me down three
times; the last time 1 laid my head
open against the kerb, and when I
came to my senses again they had
gone"
He took off his battered helmet with
a flourish and, amid a murmur of
sympathy, displayed a nasty cut Oh his
head. A sergeant and a constable,
both running, appeared round the cor
ner and made toward them.
Get back to the station and make
your report" said the former as Con
stable Evans, in a somewhat defiant
voice, repeated his story. you've
done your best. I can see that"
Mr.. Evans, enacting to perfection
the part Of a wounded hero, limped
painfully of, praying devoutly as he
went that the criminals might make
good their escape. If not, he reflected
that the word Of a policeman was at
least equal to that Of three burglars.
He repeated his story at the station
and, after having his head dressed,
was sent home and advised to keep
himself quiet for a day or two. He
was off duty for four days and, the
Tunwich Gazette having devoted q
column to the affair, headed "a Gal
liant Constable" modestly secluded