The Bossier banner., 1908-10-15
THE BADGE OF
POLICEMAN DROON
BY o. HENRY.

/ women have looked upon one an
other for the first tine and be-
come instantly enamor,d. 1t is a
risky process, this love at drst sight,
before she has seen him in Bradstreet
or he has seen her in curl papers. But
these things do happen. and one in
stance must form theme for this sto-
ry. though not. thank heaven. to the
overshadowing of more vital and I'M
portant subjects, such as drink. po-
licemen, horses and earldoms
During certain war troop calling
itself the Gentle Riders rode into his
tory and one or two ambuscadeS The
Gentle Riders We're recruited from the
aristOcracy Of the wild men of the
! west and tine wild men of the aris-
/ tocracy of the east. In khaki there is
so 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
ned beef gayly by the campfires of the
Gentle Riders. The war was great
lark to him, SO that he scarcely regret
ted polo and planked shad.
One of the troopers was a we'll set
up, afTable, cool young man who called
himself O'Roon. To this young man
Rensen took an especial liking. The
two rode side by side during the fa-
nous mooted uphill charge that was
disputed so hotly at the time by the
Spaniards and afterward by the Demo
Gratis
After the war Remsen came back to
his polo and shad. One day we'll
turbed him at his club, and he and
ORoon were soon pounding each other
and exchanging opprobious epithets
after the manner of long lost friends.
O'Roon looked seedy and out of luck
and perfectly contented. But it seem
ed that his content was only apparent
Get me a job, Remsen," he said
"1'ye just handed barber my last
shilling"
mo trouble at ALL said Remsen
II know lot of men who have banks
and stores and things downtown. ANY
particular line you fancy?"
yes" said O'Roon. with look of
interest. II took walk in your Cen
trail park this morning I'd like to be
one of those hobbies on horseback
That would be about the ticket Be
sides, it's the only thing could do.
can ride little, and the fresh air suits
me. Think you could land that fol
me?''
Remsen was sure that he could, AMI
in q very short time he did And they
who were not above looking at mount
ed policemen might have seen d well
set up. affable, cool young man on &
prancing chestnut steed attending te
his duties along the driveways of the
park
And now. at the extreme risk of Wea
rying old gentlemen who carry leather
fob chains and elderly ladies wlo-but
no; grandmother herself yet thrills a
foolish. immortal Romeo-there mus
be a hint of love at first sight.
1t came just as Remsen was strolins
into Fifth avenue from his club few
doors away.
motor car was creeping along foo
by foot. impeded by a freshet of vehi
cles that filled the street In the cal
were a chauffeur and an old gentleman
with snowy side whiskers and Scotcl
plaid cap which could not be worI
while automobiling except by a per
sonage. Not even q wine agent wouli
dare do it. But these two were OF NJ
consequence except perhaps for ths
guiding of the machine and the payin:
for it. At the old gentleman's side sa
a young lady more beautiful thar
porlegranate blossoms. more exquisit,
than the first quarter moon viewed a
twilight through the tops of oleanders
Remsen saw her and knew his fate
He could have flung himself unde
the very wheels that conveyed her. bu
he knew that would be the last mean.
of attracting the attention of thos,
who ride in motor cars Slowly th,
auto passed and, If we place the poet!
above the autoists, carried the heart o
Remsen with 1t. Here was a large cit,
of millions and many women who at +;
certain distance appear to resemble
pomegranate blossoms Yet he honet
to see her again. for each one fancie
that his romance has it's own tutelar,
guardian and divinity
Luckily for Remsen's peace of mind
there came diversion in the guise Q
reunion of the Gentle Riders of th
city. There were not many of them
perhaps score. and there were wassai
and things to eat and speeches. ant
the Spaniard was bearded again il
recapitulation. And when dayligh
threatened them the survivors prepared
to depart. But some remained upol
the battlefield. One Of these wa
to potent liquids. His. legs declined t,
fulfill the obligations they had sworl
to the police department.
I'm stewed, Remsen." said O'Rool
to his friend. "Why do they build he
tells that go round and round like cath
crime wheels? They'll take away III,
shield and break me. can think an'
talk n-con-consec- bu
l s-s-stammer with my feet. I've go
to go ON duty in three hours. The ji
is up Remsen; the jig is up. ! te
you"
"Look at me-" said Remsen. who wa
his smiling self. pointing to his owl
face Whom do you see here?'
Goo fellow! said O'Roon dizzi. !,
Goo old Remsen."
"Not so.'' said Reinsen. You Sc
Mounted Policeman O'Roon. Look q