A POLICEMAN’S LITTLE JOKE.

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 12

A POLICEMAN’S LITTLE JOKE.

Even a policeman likes his little joke. The other day in Birmingham a police recruit was accosted by anxan who said

he thought he Should like to join, the force. The recruit, very good-natured-ly, told him how to go about to realise his ambition, but, after looking at him critically for a"minute, he added, confidentially, “I’m afraid you ain’t tall enough. You don’t look.sft. 9m.” “No/ said the man, somewhat apologetically, “I’m only sft 7 Jin.’’ “Ah,” replied the officer, drawing himself up to his full height, “it ain’t enough. But anyhow you can have a try.” His companion thanked him, and went off. Some week or so later what was the officer’s surprise, on going on duty one day, to find the man who had spoken to him in uniform standing in the ranks. At the first opportunity he spoke, saying, “’Well, I see they passed you; but 3 didn t think they Avould/’ He then took the latest, addition to the force on one. c ide, and, in the best spirit c-f comradeship, put him up to a few “wrinkles. lhe recruit listened attentively, and, thanking his friend for his kindness, departed. Turning to a little knot of his colleagues who Vere standing near, the officer called their attention to the retreating figure of the recruit, and told them how a Aveek or so previously he had directed him what to do about joining. The men all hurst out laughing. The officer naturally inquired wha.t they were laughing about. “Why,” - was the answer, €i ho?s no recruit* That’s £U3d he’s been in the force ten years or.more. And so he bad. He had played a. little joke off upon the good-natured recruit, by’whom he was unknown.