Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-01

ical and moral effort to handle some
of the turbulent characters which in
tested the region. Like many another
district of its sort, it was a hot-bed of
politics. And diplomacy was required
in handling some cases. even II these
were clear attractions of the law. Far
relfs readiness with gun" he fan.
cied. might save him much trouble
il he did not let his inclination run
too far that way-if it did. the Captain
reflected grimly, there was a certainty
of trouble and plenty Of it.
His belief that the episode In which
the patrolman had just figured would
help the officers standing came partly
true. The man who had been charged
by the steer was a resident of the dis
trict and spoke highly of Farrells rush
into danger-his tale magnifying the
event in all details so as to emphasize
his own part and the GOODNESS he had
shown in escaping. BY the time the
tale had permeated the district. Far
rell was subject of much curiosity
TO the Common gang. who made "Ben's
Place. and THE Old 40" their head.
quarters. So on his first shift to a
night beat. when the gentry who fire.
quented those places were spending
their hours Of leisure consuming beer.
Farrell found himself center of inter
est and was asked to have a drink in
several bars. besides being greeted in
friendly fashion by numerous resi-
dents of his precinct.
Whatever ye do" his captain had
cautioned him. don't go to drinkin'
with any of thin lOafers around here.
There's rule on the department that
an officer mustn't inter saloon EXCEPT
on duty. Ye can see it's dead letter
But it'll be hard for We IL We get In q
row some time in one Of thin places
If we want sup Of beer occasionally
take it when yere off duty"
But few days of watching told him
that Farrell clearly was not obeying
his mandate-or. rather, was not fol.
lowing his advice. The policeman was
of sOciable disposition apparently
thought his chief disgustedly, but he
refrained from speaking to him on the
subject. Farrell never showed the ef
fects OF liquor. except in a slightly
heightened color, always called up
promptly and followed the routine OF
his station in methodical fashion. But
he remained a good deal of a mystery
to his commanding officers.
do you believe Farrell's stringin' in
with that bunch on the next hIock?''
Hagerty once demanded OF Sergeant
Collins in secret conclave. It'll be a
bad thing for him if he is. They've
got too many black marks against
them. Young Conner. one OF that gang,
is in the pen now. Yet here's Farrell
comm in night after night, without
ever havin' trouble with Thin"
The Sergeant shook his head in slow
perplexity.
Hes decent. well-spoken boy" he
remarked in worried tone; but |
can't size him up some way. don't
think he's stringin' in with that gang
But ! mind few nights ago--l was
making the rounds on the upper end
OF the precinct-that | heard some OF
that bunch up at Grogan's maxim
cracks about him as he walked past
He heard 'em all right. But he never
batted an eye. You know how those
fellows stand in with tn administra
ton? Well, I'd told him not 10 beat
any of them up II he ever made a
pinch, Just as matter of policy. But
| didn't tell him to stand for them
abusin him any. One of them chucked
half brick right near him--he threw
it into puddle Farrell was passin' and
did II on purpose to splash the water
over him. 1t splashed all over his trou
sers Yet he made out he didn't no
tice and walked on"
Yet | saw him takin' q drink with
one of thin fellers. not long sinc0."
said the mystifed captain. as hs