thinks where there are so many people he will not be noticed, and he can do as he pleases. But there he finds a whole army of policemen whose business it is to keep order. Policemen are the friends and protectors of everyone who behaves well, and the enemies of everyone who makes trouble for others.
Policemen always look out for children. Some school houses in cities are on crowded street corners, where street cars, wagons and automobiles are always passing. Often the children have to cross railroad tracks to get to school. In such dangerous places there is always a policeman, in a blue uniform and brass buttons, to help the children across. When he lifts his stick or his hand, every car or wagon driver has to stop. He can arrest a man who disobeys him. Very likely he has little ones of his own at home. Very often he picks up a little first grader who is afraid, and carries her across the street. If a policeman finds a lost child on the street,he calls a police wagon and gives the baby a fine ride to the station house. There he is fed and petted and put to sleep. Then the policeman goes to find the baby’s mama and papa. A policeman is the best strange friend a little boy and girl can have. You see, he is a peace soldier. It is his business to take care of people.
Policemen are often in as great danger as firemen. Sometimes they beat the firemen to a fire. If they do, it is their duty to go into a burning house and help get people out. They often stop runaway horses, and they snatch people from under horses' hoofs and car wheels. They dive into park lagoons, into rivers and harbors to save people from drowning. The most dangerous work policemen have to do is to find and arrest criminals. Many of these men, who live by robbing people and houses, will kill rather than be captured and sent to prison. But policemen will answer a shout for help, a whistle or a telephone call. They will go right into dark basements and alleys, after men who may be waiting for them with pistols and knives. Plain clothes policemen are in every big crowd watching for pick- pockets, and in dangerous parts of the city where criminals try to hide, learning to know their faces and their habits.
The very tallest, strongest policemen stand in the middle of two crossing streets in the most crowded part of the city. They can see all four corners and crossings, can guard people who are afoot, and keep the wagons and cars from getting in a tangle. They can stop a stream of traffic by lifting a hand, and send it on again. Some policemen are mounted on horses or bicycles. These are in
