The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-14
THE EVENING STORY
A Patrolnnan's Christmas.
(By Will S. Gidley.)

A Patrolman's Christmas.
(By Will S. Gidley.)
1t was Christmas eve, and the biz
zard which had held the city in its
| icy grip since early morning was at
| it's worst. 1t was showing hard, and
! the wind, cold and biting, whirled the
falling flakes in eddying gusts around
the street corners, piling them up in
deep drifts that were rapidly stilling
the roar of traffic.
fares, the gaily dressed windows with
their myriads of twinkling lights
blinked invitingly through tns the
lated holiday shoppers.
"B-r-r-r-r-r!" shivered Patrolman
Burton of the municipal police force
pausing for a moment from the steady
pacing of his beat and stepping into
the shelter of a store doorway. He
glanced into the Observation-Disclosures
| window. There displayed in lavish
profusion. was everything that the
outfits, complete, with locomotives,
cars and stations, drums, wooden
guns, picture books, toy animals, and
were in abundance; and in the very
center of the bewildering display was
| a Christmas tree.
How glorious and beautiful it look
ed! The sight of 1T brought back to
the mind of Patrolman Burton the
memory of another Christmas tree In
the bygone years, upon which he had
been privileged to place his first gift
of boyish love for his childhood play
mate, Bessie Brown.
It was at the Christmas entertain
ment held in the little country church
of his boyhood days. A picture of its
homeIy interior, filed with a merry
throng and radiating Christmas cheer
and happiness, rose in his mind, and
he sighed heavily to think it was all
a thing of the past.
6AT
Golden hair and laughing blue eyes
never could he forget her! How
proud he felt upon that eventfu1 night
as her name was called and the genial
Santa Claus imperSonated by the Sun
day school superintendent, took from
the tree a beautiful wax doll, his
gift, and placed it in her hands. And
her shy, grateful smile more than re-
paid him for the many sacrifices it had
cost in the way of marbles, tops and
other toys and playthings that he had
wanted for himself.
They had grown up together, he and
Bessie. Through the kindergarten and
public schools they had gone hand in
hand; and she held tender place still
in his memory, though she had long
ago become the wife of another. The
patrolman wiped tear from his eye.
1t had been hard for him to lose her,
cruelty hard. How it had hurt when
she told him she could never wed him,
and how he had suffered as he saw
her betrOthed and wed to another, his
lend. Tom Waters had always
seemed nice sort of a fellow; he did
not begrudge him his happiness.
How well he recalled the night of
the wedding, and his hurried journey
to the city, where he had found en-
ployment. He could not bear the
thought of seeing her the bride of an
other, and he had fed without word
of farewell, last goodby.
A dozen years had passed since
then, and he had not forgotten. To-
night her face seemed to haunt him.
He could not get her out of his mind
He wondered if she were we'll and
happy, and where she was living now.
Had she and her husband remained in
the country, or had they followed in
the wake of so many others to the
big city?
With a sigh for the past, and last
wistful glance at the dazzling bright
ness of the window, Patrolman Bur
ton pulled his coat collar up higher
about his throat and once more faced
the storm.
It was growing late. The lights IN
the store windows were being extin-
guished one by one and the avenue was
fast losing its holiday aspect He
turned and walked slowly down a cross
street, dark and deserted He would
be off duty at midnight-but what
Christmas happiness was in store for
him? No cheerful home, with a loving
wife, romping children, and a Christ
mas tree all their own, awaited his
return. No laughing voices-but harki
His trained ears caught the rasping
sound of a Jimmy at work on a door
jamb, and darting into a dark doorway
he caught the midnight marauder by
the throat. A short, sharp struggle
and he had subdued him. The thief
was no match for the burly officer.
''WeI1, what have you got to say for
yourself?" demanded the patrolman.
Don't arrest me. officer. please
don't" pleaded the captive. I'm out
after the cash drawer, honest, I wasn'r.
This is a toy store. and I jest wanted
to get a few Christmas things for the
kiddie, boss Truly / did. My wife IS
waitin' fer me to bring 'em home, and
If yer pinch me it's all off. Besides,
amt took nothing I know I was
goin' to, but I'll never attempt it again.
Let me off this time an I'll keep
straight"
What sort of yarn are you giving
us?'' said Patrolman Burton, not I'M
kindly. He was thinking of her. Per-
haps, after all, the man was speaking
the truth.
TITS the first time. officer, honest it
isr continued the thief in a low voice,
land it would kill her if she knew.
She thinks have job as night watch
man. Give me one more chance, an I'll
do my best to keep on the square"
He did not whine, and the patrolman
surveyed his captive with a touch of
pity. Perhaps the fellow wasn't such
a bad lot after all and only wanted a
few toys. He thought of the doll he
had given Bessie, and his heart soft
ened.
WELL he said musingly, I'D hate
nil nT7 Cf