"'Can you tell me if a man purchased a paper here in the last three
months?' I said.
"'Yes,' he replied; 'we sold one last night.'
"'Can you describe the man?'
"'Accurately. He had blue whiskers, a wart between his shoulder blades,
a touch of colic, and an occupation tax on his breath.'
"'Which way did he go?'
"'Out.'
"I then went--"
"Wait a minute," said the Populist Candidate, rising; "I don't see why
in the h----"
"Once more I must beg that you will be silent," said Tictocq, rather
sharply. "You should not interrupt me in the midst of my report."
"I made one false arrest," continued Tictocq. "I was passing two finely
dressed gentlemen on the street, when one of them remarked that he had
'stole his socks.' I handcuffed him and dragged him to a lighted store,
when his companion explained to me that he was somewhat intoxicated and
his tongue was not entirely manageable. He had been speaking of some
business transaction, and what he intended to say was that he had 'sold
his stocks.'
"I then released him.
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