_A policeman is the friend of those in need of protection._
Mary and Ellen were two little sisters who lived in a town in
sunny England. They loved to wander outside of town in the meadows
and gather buttercups and daisies. One day they wandered farther
than they had ever been before. They had found such a beautiful
land where the wild roses and the hawthorn bushes were white and
fragrant, and full of the songs of birds. Just out of reach could
be seen a tiny nest, and the children wondered if there were any
eggs in it. On and on they wandered, their arms full of bright
blossoms.
All at once Mary happened to think of something she had heard some
boys say, that “the gypsies were about.” This thought sent a thrill
of fear over her, for had she not heard that the gypsies would
steal little children?
“Oh, sister, let us go back,” cried Mary. “I’m afraid of the
gypsies.” So the children took hands and ran back towards the
city. They no longer cared to gather flowers they passed, and the
fluttering of a bird among the bushes almost made their hearts
stand still, so afraid were they that it might be the gypsies
trying to catch them.
At last they reached the town and after walking past many houses
they saw that they must have taken the wrong street for everything
looked so strange. They were very lonely, and tired, so they sat
on the curbing to rest. The day was warm and little Ellen was soon
fast asleep against her sister’s shoulder. Mary sat still thinking,
wondering how they could find their way home, when who should come
round a corner but a policeman.
Now, a policeman, Mary thought, was as bad if not worse than a
gypsy, for policemen always locked people up. Suppose he should
lock them up. Poor Mary was afraid to look up until she heard a
cheery voice say: “Hello, little tots! better run home!” Then she
looked into the smiling face and kind eyes of the policeman, and
her fears all vanished. She told him they were lost, and to please
not to lock them up this time, for they would never go so far from
home again.
Well, the big man laughed and laughed and said: “All right! come
on, let’s find mother.” He took the poor little sleepy Ellen up
in his arms, and taking Mary by the hand started off. Mary told
him they lived on Durby Street and that their father’s name was
Benton. Soon things began to look familiar, and soon they reached
the dear home. Mother was very anxious about them and had just sent
word to the police for help in finding the children. They were all
very grateful to the kind policeman for bringing them safely home,
for they had learned that he is a very good friend indeed.