The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1909-02-10
THE POLICEMAN

FOllowing Is an article on The
Policeman" written by tho editor Of
this paper three years ngo:
How few Of US stop to think about
the big man in blue uniform! We
see him day in and day out. making
his rounds about the city, quietly.
solemnly and with little TO soy. So
often and regularly we see him that
his greatness, though unassuming he
is. almost passes out of mind. And
because no has to deal with u low
class Of people very often, those who
drink curse, steal and kill, we some
times forgot and treat him with less
than duo courtesy. But moments
thought shows him up us no really
IS. and we tip our hats.
All honor to the guardian Of our
safety! Though all the day he
watches rs seeing that harm befalls
rs not. His duty ia not simply to
seize law-breakers and imprison
them; ho has higher work. EIo
guards the wulk Of honest men und
prevents them falling into harm: he
by his very presence intImidatcs
wrong -doers and holds them in sub
lection. He makes il possible for
unprotected men TO go about their
daily duties without concern as to
their personal safety. And his
vigilance Is ever over our mothers
and sister. to sea that dangers come
net their way. How anxious ana
Troubled Would We he about those So
dear to us ii the big policmon were
not their protectors. But we love
this man most, because he guards
the littlo children. Up and down the
etreets these little innocenta froic,
never suspccting that danger turks
near, and that harm might bcfall
them. And how careful Is the noble
man in blue. His eye is ever on
these helpless ones anXiously watch
Ing their every move, seeing that no
ruthless hand checks their enjoyment.
that none causes them grief II il
approaches danger. no takes the little
hand IN his and gently leads It aside
II the little one stumblcS and is hurt.
up In his strong arms no takes il.
soothing the spirit with soft words
and driving away the tears with his
tenderness.
A tendor loving spirit shines
through the oyea OF the good police
man. Many bring their griefs to him
and many arc aided Tho poor
woman out OF homc and away from
loved ones, looks TO him for comfort
and assistance. and rarely does shc
seek in vain. Tho lost boy can, with
full confidence, look up into the noble
face aud beg direction. The big
policeman sees so much OF grief and
pain that his heart aches, and he
tries TO uSsHuEc them. Everybody's
troubles are his troubles and we'll
does he carry the burden. His life
IS eweetened by his kind acts and day
hV iuV no I'm f., .,
life OF service he finds Joy that feW
can know.
But We love this man most because
lac keeps watch over us whilo We
sleep. All night long. up and down
the lonely streets he treada his
solitary way: eyes open and ears bent
for the least sight OF sound that
should not be. Ever wakeul IL no.
that We may sleep in peace and with
Insurance Of safety. His presence
III this time is u safeguard, for thieves
and robbers fear to come about, and
when danger does approach and whom
harm IL about TO befall defensolces
ones. he Is there to defend. Ii the
ihcindiary applies torch to our
beautiful dwellings, this man sees il
aRd warns u9 our danger.
Though the long hours OF the night
he keeps those lonely vigils no com
panion. alone with his thoughts. And
what are his thoughts? They must
be CT tho many souls 10 IS guarding.
Out over the big city he casts his eye.
ne sees no one, hears no sound; all is
death-likc stiffness. ThOuaands
OF tired bodies are resting from a
days labor: thousands OF minds are
wandering amidst the beautiful fields
and groves Of dreamland Utterly
helpless arc all these tired souls and
the big man IN blue uniform thinks
ot tho day past with It's tolls und the
coming day Of labor, then almost
aloud he bids them sleep peacerrlly
Shd dream at beauties nnseep except
III the lands 0t dreams And for
RiolRSHt his MIND turns TO the dear
sNeE At haEAS, HiR wife and The littlu
Shes IN bAeir cots; for , munout .
AeAttsA desire seiZss him. bat Hor y mo
AeRt ONLY. Flo tuvns again to his great
task aRa guards the slumlers Of a
trusting people, Until day breaks over
the eastern Hills and calls men from
their rest
God bleas the hiS man in blue
uniform Tho guardian OF our safety,
Fhe protector OF our lives.
-.SSV-~--.-.S~------S--.
ElrENSE EnD NRHInH