The Free Lance.
“His good blade carves the casques of men, for the Free Lance
thrusteth sure."
Vol. XV.
MY FRIEND THE POLICEMAN.
SOME years ago, when I was located in a western city,
not far from the Pacific coast, acting - in the capacity
of a newspaper correspondent for an eastern publisher, I
met with many queer and strang-e incidents and still
stranger people.
I was what is commonly called a roust-about and was
shifted around, to suit the manager, from one town to an
other.
Having - arrived in the city whereof lam now writing - , I
set about to make as many acquaintences as it was in my
power so to do. It was not long - before I was personally ac
quainted with the greater part of the business people. This
being accomplished I besieged the city building until I got
on the hood side of the mayor and the greater portion of the
police force. The paper I represented was a sheet which
gloried in scandal and sensation; this was the proper and
almost Indispensable thing to do, for the reason that a good
many officials were inclined to suppress my sheet. More so
especially if I happened to touch on any of the councilmen
or other officials in too critical a manner.
This was no uncommon occurrence; for if there is any
one thing that sells a paper, it is the berating of a public
October, 1901.
No. 4.