THE LONDON POLICEMAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 609, 16 December 1909, Page 3

THE LONDON POLICEMAN.

A tale to the credit of the man in blue. It is told by an Australian who bears a well-known name, and who knows the “ sweet uses” of adversity. He worked his passage from Sydney to Tilbury, and he came ashore without even the few pence that would have paid his fare to Eondon. So he tramped till he arrived in Fleet-street at nightfall. His choice lay between a casual ward and a night al fresco, and, _of course he choose the latter. He joined the homeless ones of Eondon, for whom the Thames Embankment provides a chill refuge, and got back in fitful dreams to sunny ground in sight of the Blue Mountains, whence the ruinous floods had come one day. He was still in Australia in his night visions when a heavy hand was laid on his shoulders, the light of the policeman’s lantern dazzled his eyes, and the voice of authority said, “ Come, wake up ! You can’t sleep ’ ere. It’s nearly two o’clock. Get off home.” The weary man from the antipodes rose, stiff and dazed, and staggered to the embankment wall. Then the voice of authority changed to the voice of the kind heart. “ I can see you’re not drunk,” said the man in blue. “ Are you ill ? ” That drew the Australian’s story from him. “ Are you hungry ? ” was the question asked at the end of it. The wanderer replied that he could eat Chicago tinned meat with gusto. He was not offered America’s mixed produce, but was invited to follow the constable ou his beat. And presently in Tudor Street, the expected supper came to hand, a well-filled basket and a tin “drum” of coffee brought by a lad for the policeman. The Australian was filled with huge mutton sandwiches and hot drink. And now he is a living advertisement for the Eondon constabulary. Hbw many more would there be if we knew the stories of all the homeless ones whom the night wind has chilled as they dream of the better days on a seat on the embankment ? Daily Mail,