The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1907-07-05
POLICE were
ON the JOB
London Visitor Convinced OF the Eff.
cheney OF the New York Force.

there still exists an Old-fashioned
chophouse where bad music and gilt
ceilings have not been substituted for
good cooking and intelligent service.
In addition to the front entrance the
place has door in the rear, opening
out on a side alley. On this second
exit hinges the story Of how former
head of the New York police force be-
came confirmed in the opinion that
ne had the very finest police force in
the world.
When the superintendent, as the
chief of police was then called, first
began to dine at this little chop house
there was CONSERVATION among the
policemen Of that and neighboring
posts, for many of them were in the
habit of dropping in there for refresh
ment at times when they should have
been on duty.
Their discontinue was not for
long, however, Some wise cop with
all the instincts of a good detective,
familiar with the door on the alley,
devised plan whereby he and his
companions were enable to enjoy their
evening chop and ale without fear of
detection by their chief.
His scheme, like all good schemes,
was simple. When a man on post
one man was always left outside
spied the superintendent coming
around the corner he would walk non
chalantly by the chop house, giving
the wink to Johnny, the cashier, who
sat at the desk by the door. Johnny
in turn would tip the dining cops, thus
giving them ample time to slip out
the back way and through the alley
while the unsuspecting superintend-
ent sauntered in by the front en-
trance.
One evening, just after some police
men had slipped out in response to the
customary warning, the superintend-
ent entered with a guest The guest
was London inspector who had been
sent to this country to study our
methods.
well, you may say what you like"
the Englishman said as the waiter
was clearing away the dishes, "but I'd
be willing to wager you ten of your
American dollars that if we were to
step around the corner right now and
call for help there wouldn't be bobby
within hail"
The waiter began to prick up his
ears.
You're on with that bet" said the
superintendent. "As soon as we've
had our coffee We'll just step around
the corner here and try it. And if
you don't find that inside Of"
The waiter did not stop to hear
more. He snapped his fingers as
though he had suddenly remembered
something and hurried toward the
kitchen
Say" he blurted out to the cook,
"tell George to serve the chiefs cot
fee and to take his blamed time about
it, too! l can't wait"
Before the astonished cook had
time to ask an explanation the waiter
was darling up the alley in search of
the man on post. Luckily he knew
where to find him.
Listen" he gasped. And he breath
lessly related what he had just heard
in the chop house.
"Gee!" exclaimed the cop. when?
Whereabouts? Hold 'em as long as y
can, will yer?"
With that he was off in search of
the men on neighboring posts, and
they in turn hunted up still others.
Back in the chop house the superin-
tendent was apologizing to the in
spector.
I'm sorry the service has been so
bad here tonight. I've never known
it to be like this before. Well, and
now for our bet" he said when he had
at last succeeded in getting his check
made out.
They strolled around the corner to
quiet place in the middle of the
block.
Here" said the superintendent,
here's a good place Now, II grab you
by the shoulders and you yell for
help. Good and loud, mind you, just
as a man naturally would, you know"
The Englishman drew a deep
breath and started in:
"Help! Help! Murder! Muir
But he got no further.
Scrambling up out of areaways,
tumbling down out of doorways-cops,
COPS, cops, cops-it seemed as though
every nook and corner in the neigh
borhood were raining fat cops.
Biff! Bang! Biff! They beat in
the superintendent hat.
Then, as each one apparently saw
who it was, he drew off with ooh, the
superintendent! Sorry, sir" and
started in to beat up the superintend'
ent's English friend.
"Well," admitted the battered Lon
don inspector when explanations had
been made and it was all over, you've