The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-29

outstretched hands circling round
each other like the arms of windmill
in gale.
"Stoop down and I'll tell you" he
gasped, as the officer made another Of
fort to restrain him.
The evident respectability OF the fat
man made the policeman comply with
the request, and bending his slx-foot
frame he ran alongside the other as
he listened. The inqulsitive mob, now
numbering a score, gathered In close,
but the nightstick described circle
and they backed into safety.
For nearly twenty yards the police.
man ran with bent back Then he
Strengthened himself up and laughed
loudly Good for you" he cried.
"Sprint a little, or we may be too
late" Then he started to run madly
alongside the man with the windmill
arms.
The curious ones we're annoyed.
They were taxpayers. and they did not
think IL right that the officer, who was
their servant, should keep the solution
of the mystery a secret. They growled
angrily whenever the law chucltled
over the story that the fat man had
whispered, but they followed at full
speed Late revelers joined the
group, but when they asked the reason
of the chase they were told to watch
the movements of the leaders hands.
Been doin' that all the way from
Twenty.eighth street." gasped the
early followers, proud in the posses.
stop of that much information. He's
told the cop a joke, an now the nick.
ory wlelder is hittin' the trail with
him "
Az Forty-eighth street the policeman
met the officer on the adjoining beat
and hooking him by the arm he whis
pered into his ear as he kept pace
with the fat man. The new policeman
guffawed loudly, and again the angry
crowd looked vainly for the humoi
that seemed apparent to the two
guardians of the peace. The first po
liceman slackened speed, called out
friendly Good luck" to the fat man
and then returned to his own beat
while his comrade trotted swiftly IL
his place.
The fat man swung east, down Fifty
third street, and new recruits Joined
the procession at every yard. But
all thirsted vainly for information
Questions put by the newcomers were
met with the one answer: Dom
know; look at his hands. Been twist
ing them round and round all the way
from Twenty eighth street"
Crossing Third avenue the fat mar
halted suddenly. He knelt down upor
the car tracks, and the officer stoopeC
beside him. The crowd pressed rounC
till the swiftly-swung nightstick swep
them back. The man in evening dress
crawled across the tracks and rakeC
the ground with his fingers.
Presently he leapt to his feet anC
yelled out excitedly, ITS all right
officer" he cried, and once again hi
hands started to revolve round eacl
other as he dashed towards the water
Just here third policeman wa'
troubling the crowd, and with a merr!
laugh he took up position by Tho
side OF the fat man. The GROVE
cursed collectively. Here was |
mystery that had been explained
three times to bulky policemen, ye
they were kept in ignorance. II WASH
fair. They had right TO know VIII!
the man In evening dress was doinI
the windmill performance with hi
hands, and why that stunt amused th'
policeman. Much of their breath wa
exhausted In strange phrases dc
nOuncing the secrecy of the police, bu
they were determined to see the end
Near Second avenue man standing
on the sidewalk turned when he hear'
the noise of the charging squad ant
contemplated the runners. Then h,
stepped into the street and crosse,
over. The fat man chuckled. HI
whispered to the policeman at hi
right hand, and the officer dashei
ahead. The man in front started Il
run, but his pursuer overhauled hin
in dozen strides, and they rolled OF
| the pavement.
''Wots the matter?" gasped tn
captured one. "Wot are yer scruffiI
me for?"
This gentleman wants his rubbe
doormat," murmured the policeman
relieving his captive of the parcel h
carried beneath his arm.
''Hully Gee" exclaimed the priS
oner, rubbing his eyes and starln
round him at the crowd. where di
yer get the mob, an how did yer know
had 1t, anyhow"
Il had you on a string" explaine
the fat man, holding up black threa
in the light OF the street lamp. "Pv
caught FIVE men who have tried L
steal that mat. It's attached to