The Policeman's Friend.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2943, 6 July 1888, Page 2

The Policeman's Friend.

llr Bridge,,of Bow-street Policed Court, London, has surpassed himself' in his great character of the..'' Police-- ■} Friend." A few days ago a respect- • able man named Baker, was before him with, attempting'to pick, v pockets at theatre doors. nuo»Deteo-; •: live-constable Henry ColliuJjfof the '% E. .liivision, swore that.he had seenf: Baker put his hand into a lady's v ! pocket at the entranoo of the Adelpbi • pit. As usual, another detective ■■, more than corroborated this "moral' miracle."' He swore roundly that Baker had been under observation," for a "number of nights at different ■; theatres.He too, had seen Bako&kand in a lady's pocket, though hlfas too careful of tlie truth (or'too fearful ofau '•• alibi?) to be able to give the date. But he was " quito certain'', of the , man. Then a partner in the firm of' Messrs Wolff and Co. was called, who "'■ had employed Baker for moro : than a dozen years, and the following instructive dialogue ensued:—Mr Bridge; What has his character been? Witness: Most irreproachable.. We place implicit trust in him He has charge of tho petty cash accounts and collects money. I have never found anything wrong, and I cannot help thinking the police have madoa mistake, Mr Bridge:;.' With that oharacter, it is my duty to discharge you, and I do more than that. I must express my opinion that you are not guilty. A t the sa'ifk time, however, I ought to say that Iff con- .: stable may have been mistaken in what ho thought he saw. Or perhaps:< what ho did see was sufficient to justify him in taking you into custody, In oilier words, may swear positively that he has seen, an honest man picking," pockots when he saw nothing M!4ke ' kind; and when ho is proved a jjfm's ••■ .victim is to be satisfied with the Jagis?' terial" explanation" that the h'Br"may .' have beenmistaken iu what he thought ■ heßawl" Heallyitisinar^llous that. our polico are half as trufcforlhy as":' they are.—Pall Mall Gazette!