Evening star., 1940-09-22

YfIEN was twelve years old the real hero of all kids
w was Charlie Townsend. the village constable 1t
supposed among that Washington and Paul Revere
and one Others had WE'LL but they d sad
owy figures alongside of Charlie Townsend We used to bag
about what he would do to the unfortunate burglar killer
who might someday cross his path
So real moment morning the way to school,
when gray haired tramp wandered into the village and
Charlie Townsend tackled him, under the trees in Dean
Street Now should We stood rooted to the path
the little street. while Charlie long, 1.-THE in plain clothes and
with those deepset sewd eyes in his brown face accosed
the stranger
To our intense delight the stranger answered by swinging
at Charlie straight left that shot out like Lightning and
grazed the constabes Cheekbone Then quick right
swing that landed the constabes jaw This stranger
old, shabby, pale, but he could fight
Then we saw with dismay that Charlie not hitting
back His face seemed anxious and concerned he pared
the of blows We wondered - could this be hero?
We had noticed that after the first few minutes Charlie
moving slowly forward he defended always close to
the stranger facing him. The stranger would fall back step
then another.
Now the strangers blows seemed slower There was no
more lightning about them Charlie kept moving forward,
closer each minute but yet had he hit his opponent
Suddenly, minutes later the strangers dropped to his
Sides He stood irresolute exhausted
Charlie quick flash, wearing again the kindly smile
that made kids worship him. dropped his guard altogether
took the strangers and turned him around.
Come on old man,, he said almost tenderly, you put
up game fight.
They went off arm arm Charlie supporting the old man.
who tottering We followed them to the lookup
funny little red building with fire bell on top OF it. As they
in the door Charlie had around the old mans
waist.
We went school, slowly wondering. 1t wasn't until
the that it dawned any of why Charlie
hadn't struck single blow. Then suggested
because Charlie would rather take beating than hit old
man who already licked anyhow And realized that
tough as seemed Charlie Townsend tenderhearted
as any kid - and thai he hero.
LAST winter another cop was holding night
court in New York the rawes raines cold night that
had The seet beat dismal tattoo the window
pane behind me. There few cases.
At midnight, after hour of ideness, found before
OShea cop who quick death to stick punks and gun
He tall and rangy and has been wounded twice He
dripping shverng his clothes soaked that they stuck
him. looked into the blue eyes that miss with 49,
and we both began to laugh
where's the prisoner - in your pocket" asked.
NO coming. Here he is.
slight boy of fourteen stumbling and stood beside
the big cop He shvering, fairly shaking. great
police encompassed him like large sack with
single potato in it He looked as though he would fall
S down. said and then to OShea What the story?"
Just stray Judge found him hudded in areaway in
Fftyfoth Street. sleet coming down and freezing him.
He nearly No food since yesterday had to carry
him part way. No money. Comes from Baltimore
why did he come to New York;"
Same old thing Thought he'd get good job Supports his