THE POLICEMAN TAKES BOBBY AND BETTY HOME
Bobby and Betty were a long way from home. But the policeman knew the way.
“I’m glad we found you,” said Bobby. “I’m glad you know the way.”
“That’s funny,” said Betty. “We lost the way and we found you. And you know the way.”
“Will you show us where Mother’s house is?” asked Bobby.
“To be sure, I will,” answered the policeman. “That is part of my business.”
“Do you do anything else?” asked Bobby.
“Oh, yes,” answered the policeman. “I walk up and down the streets and take care of the people.”
“Are you their father?” asked Betty. “Are you the father of all the people on the streets?”
“Hardly that,” answered the policeman.
“I know what you are,” said Bobby. “You are a big brother. You are a big brother to all of the people on the streets.”
“Now you have hit it, my little man,” answered the big policeman. “I try to be a big brother to the people along the streets.”
By this time it was almost dark, but Bobby and Betty were now nearly home.
“Do you know this street?” asked the policeman.
“Oh, yes,” cried Bobby. “We live just around the corner.”
Bobby and Betty almost ran the last few steps of the way.
They were soon at the door.
They could not wait for the policeman to ring the bell.
They opened the door and ran straight to Mother.
They threw their arms around her.
“O Bobby! O Betty!” cried Mother. “I am so glad to see you.”
Mother thanked the policeman for bringing the children home.
“You are very welcome,” said the policeman.
“Did you thank the policeman?” asked Mother.
“Thank you, thank you,” said Bobby and Betty.
“I hope we shall find you again,” said Bobby.
“I am glad you are everybody’s big brother,” said Betty.
“Thank you,” said the policeman. “But remember, your big brother thinks you had better play nearer home.”
For study and play:
I like to see the policeman,
Who is sometimes called the cop,
When he sees the speeding autos
And he makes the traffic stop.
—Jean Wold, John Johnson,
and Frederick Vickery,
Second Grade, Hinsdale, Illinois
John O’Gradgen was a wild man.
He whipped his children now and then.
When he whipped them, he made them dance
Out of Ireland into France.
