The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-07-16
THE BADGE OF
POLICEMAN GROOM
BY o. HENRY.


other for the first time and be-
come Instantly enamored. II Is a
risky process. this love at first sight,
before she has seen him In Bradstreet
or be has seen her In curl papers. But
these things do happen, and one In
stance must form theme for this sto-
~, though not. thank heaven, 10 the
overshadoving Of more vital and im-
portant subjects, such as drink, po-
licemen, horses and earldoms.
During a certain war a troop calling
itself the Gentle Riders rode into his
tory and one or two ambuscades. The
Gentle Riders were recruited from the
aristocracy Of the wild men OF the
west aud the Wild men OF the arts
tocracy Of the east In khaki there IL
little telling them one from another,
10 they became good friends and COM
rades all around
Ellsworth Remsen. whose old. Knick-
erbocker descent atoned for his modest
rating at only ten millions. ate his can
BED beef gayly by the campfres OF the
3entle Riders The war was a great
lark TO him, so that he scarcely regret
ted polo and planked shad.
One OF the troopers was a well sec
up. affable, cool young man who called
himself O'Roon. To this young man
Remsen took an especial liking. The
two rode side by side during the fa-
mons mooted uphill charge that was
disputed 80 holly nj the time by the
spaniards and afterward by the Demo
Gratis.
After the war Remsen came back TO
bis polo and shad. One day a well
set up. affable. cool young man dis
turhed him at his club. and he and
ORoon were soon pounding each other
and exchanging opprobious epithets
after tho manner OF long lost friends.
0'Roon looked seedy and out OF luck
aud perfectly contented. But n seem
ed that his content was only apparent
Get me job. Rensen," he said.
1--WE Just handed barber my last
shilling"
"No trouble At an" said Remsen.
Il know lot Of men who have banks
and stores and things downtown. Any
particular line you fsncyf'
YES" said O'Roon. with n look OF
interest. Il took walk In your Cen
trail park this morning. I'D Ike to be
one OF those boobies ON horseback.
That would be about the ticket Be
sides. It's the only thing l could do.
can ride a little. and the fresh air suits
me. Think you could lind that for
met"
Remsen was sure that he could. and
In a very short time he did. And they
who were not above looking AZ mount
ed policemen might have seen a well
set up. affable. cool young man on a
prancing chestnut steed attending TO
his duties along the drivsways Of the
park.
And now. at the extreme risk OF wea-
rylng old gentlemen who carry leather
fob chains and elderly ladies' who--but,
no; grandmother herself yet thrills AZ
foolish. immortal Romeo there must
be hint OF love NJ first sight.
II came just as Remsen was strolling
into Fifth avenue from HE clnb few
doors away.
A motor car was creeping aloug foot
by foot. impeded by freshet OF vehl-
Giles that filed the street. In the car
were a chauffeur and an old gentleman
with snowy side whiskers aud a Scotch
plaid cap which could not be worn
while automobiling except by a per
sonage. Not even a wine agent would
dare do II. But these two were OF no
consequence except perhaps for the
guiding OF the machine and the paying
for Il. Al the old gentleman's side sal
10 young lady more beautiful than
pomegranate blossoms, more exquisite
than the first quarter moon viewed at
twilight through the tops OF oleanders.
Rensen saw her and knew his fate.
He could have flung himself under
the very wheels that conveyed her. but
be knew that would be the last means
OF attracting the attention OF those
who ride In motor cars. Slowly the
auto passed and. II we place the poets
above the autoists. carried the heart OF
Remsen with II. Here was a large city
Of millions and many women who at a
certain distance appear TO resemble
pomegranate blossoms. Yet he hoped
10 see her again, for each one fancies
that his romance has its own tutelary
guardian and divinity.
Luckily for Remsen's peace OF mind,
there came a diversion In the gulse OF
a reunion of the Gentle Riders OF the
city. There were not many OF them,
perhaps score, and there were wassail
and things 10 eat and speeches, and
the Spaniard was bearded again In
recapitulation. And when daylight
threatened them the survivors prepared
70 depart. But some remained upon
the battlefield One of these was
Trooper 0'Roon. who was not seasoned
to potent liquids. His legs declined to
fulhlI the obligations they had sworn
to the police department
Pm stewed. Remsen." said O'Roon
TO his friend. "Why do they build ho-
tells that go round and round like cath
crime wheelsf They'll take away my
shield and break me. can think and
talk con-con-consec-sec -secutively, but
! s-s-stammer with my feet. I've got
to go on duty In three hours. The Jig
is up. Remsen; the jig IL up tell
xc..