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

SO in the course of few weeks Far
rell commenced to have the reputation
OF an unreliable man. No cowardice
charges we're whispered, but 1t was
clear that men on his beat did not
wish to walk with him. And finally
came the climax.
Farrell had been assigned to keep
order at one Of the boxing shows held
by an athletic club in the neighbor-
hood-a Club" which supported itself
largely by holding ring bouts and by
the proceeds of it's bar Partisanship
shown by the referee had caused a
surge toward the ring on the part Of
disgruntled spectators. ono chair had
already been thrown within the arena
and affairs seemed ripe for a general
outbreak when Sergeant Collins
squeezed through the ropes. calling on
Farrell to follow. This Farrell had
not done, and the Sergeant strolling
along the borders Of the ring had con-
temptuously raped with his heavy
night stick the heads of few hardy
spirits, who were endeavoring to climb
into the enclosure. One glance at Far
rells face in the crowd below made
him turn away with contempt.
ut was rank violation Of orders and
the man was scared to DEATH" he said
that evening to the captain. as they
sat in the latter's private Office "A
prize fight crowds the easiest in
the world to handle-lots OF noise
and no danger Jest didn't want
anybody gettin' in tho ring, where
there was space enough for a scrap,
so called Farrell 20 follow. And his
forn yyh oh ora ho
shakin' all over He heard me all
right. He jest didn't come"
And the captain, exasperated by
other reports of the kind against Far
rell, and rendered even more irritable
by the policeman's weak defense Of
not having heard. ordered him to ap-
pear the next meeting before the police
board. AS the young officer left the
room, with bowed head. Captain Hag-
erty hesitated moment before making
out his complaint.
I've never accused another man Of
bein' a coward yet" he muttered 10
himself, as he ran his eye over Far
rells record. "but there's plenty Of
cases here that look bad. Still, III
just put him down for neglect of duty"
Police Commissioners. we'll versed in
their duties. can often read between
the lines Of a report made to them
And when they issued summons for
Farrell to appear. the president, an old
man, long in Office. gazed thoughtfully
and rather sadly at the slip in his
hand
TITS the first case Of the sort ever
reported to me-" he said slowly, and
| hope the officer can clear himself.
I'm glad It's worded this way so the
newspapers won't see anything in it.
But we know what 1t means
His colleagues nodded assent.
II suppose he's that big young fellow
sitting in the anteroom." remarked one
Of the commissioners; hes large
enough not to have any troubles Of the
sort. But what's that?"
The board. in It's executive session.
was occupying room in the city hall,
while their own rooms at police head
quarters were being repaired. From
the high windows of their room a shot
rang out and hoarse and threaten.
ing voice could be heard shouting an.
grily as they hurried to the windows.
On the wide lawn of the hall and a.
most below them stood a man bran
dishing revolver and evidently
crazed with drink He was grinning
and waving his arms wildly in triumph
as he gesticulated at the figure OF an.