TRUE TALES OF
YESTERDAY
By De Vere Arnold

THE CASE OF THE FLIRTATIOUS FIREMAN

    FRED Julius, known as the "Good Samaritan" to his fellow firemen at Engine 7's, was naturally of a sunny disposition, singing or whistling merrily all the day.  With his flashing black eyes and dark hair, it was his wont to stand out in front of the engine house and whistle loudly in the sheer exuberance of his big-souled spirit.

    And of course if a comely maiden happened to be passing at the same time, it was not his fault, was it?

    "You see, gentlemen," he explained, "I am naturally of a jolly nature, always signing or whistling from daylight till dark.  I like people--I like everybody.  If women are attracted by my whistling, why--" he shrugged his shoulders expressively and grinned.

    The scene was a hearing before the Los Angeles Board of Fire Commissioners some thirty-seven years ago, on April 1, 1905.  Faded yellow clippings from newspapers of the day tell us the story.  Charges had been filed by Captain C. S. Jenkin against Julius for neglect of duty, leaving his post while on watch, flirting, and a host of other complaints.

    "I have continually warned him against flirting with women passersby," said Captain Jenkin gravely, "but it doesn't do any good.  The groceryman across the street says Julius is driving all his women customers away."

    Commissioner Betkowski looked interested.  "What happens when he whistles at the ladies?" he asked.

    "Well, some of them look around and smile, and some don't; smile, that is most of them look around.  Once he followed one home," revealed the Captain.

    "That isn't so," interrupted Julius.  "Chief Strohm did have me on the carpet once on such a charge, but I offered to throw up my job if he could get the woman to testify against me.  That was the last I heard of that charge."

    "But didn't you leave your post to go across the street to the telephone?" accused the Captain.
 

 
  "Well, I may have," admitted Julius.  "But I wasn't in company with a woman at 25th and Maple at 7:30 last Tuesday evening, and I don't stop brewery wagons in front of the engine house, and I don't drink beer in public with the drivers--like some people do."

    The last was a thrust at the Captain who bit his lip.

    "Come, come, Julius," interposed Mayor McAleer, "the Captain isn't on trial here."

    He turned to the other members of the Board and shrugged his shoulders.  "In the absence of any supporting witnesses, none of the charges can be substantiated.  I move we dismiss the hearing."  This was done.  "And, Captain, I suggest that you have something more than suspicions the next time you prefer charges against Julius."

  Julius grinned and winked at the Captain.

    LATER that evening an Examiner reporter who had attended the hearing, drove his horse and buggy down to the fire house to get further sidelights on the whistling and flirting situation.  He found Captain Jenkin in the grocery store talking with the proprietor.

    "Hello, Captain.  Where's Julius?"  he asked.

    "He's in bed," came the reply, "but I'll wake him up if you want to see him.  I know he's there because I've been watching the door."

   Upon being assured that it was necessary to see Julius in order that both sides of the whistling and flirting episode might be known, Captain Jenkin entered the fire house to find the rascally fireman.

    He returned in a few minutes.  "He isn't there," he said with a surprised look on his face.  He thought a moment.  "But I'll bet I know where he is.  Come with me.

        The Captain cut diagonally across the street toward a row of cottages.  "Can you beat it?"  he said.  I've given the men strict orders not to leave without my permission.  Here it is almost nine o'clock and Julius has to go visiting again."

  As the captain approached one of the cottages, a man's figure was clearly visible moving about in the parlor.  As they watched the man took a seat so that he could no longer be seen through the window.

    "That's him," said the Captain, excitedly. "I'd know his features anywhere." 

    Stepping on the porch the Captain called loudly, "JULIUS."  Nothing happened.  He called again.  Presently he crossed the porch and knocked at the door.  In a moment it was opened by a charming young woman.

    "Is Mr. Julius in?" asked the Captain.

    "I'm sorry, I don't know a Mr. Julius," was the smiling response.

    The Captain could hardly restrain himself because he was positive he had seen the errant fireman inside.  As they walked away he said, disgruntled.  "Mr. Julius is right there by that window, I'll bet a month's pay.  Tell you what.  Let's hurry back to the corner.  Julius will slip out the back way and come around the block.  You see if he don't."

    They waited a few minutes at the corner and sure enough here came Julius, whistling as usual.  As he approached in a leisurely fashion, the Captain said, "Julius, here is a man who wants to talk to you.  And by the way, why didn't you come out the front door over there?"

    "I wasn't over there.  I was up at the other corner," came the innocent answerer without the slightest alarm.

    "Do you mean to stand there and tell me you weren't in that house just now?"

    "Yes, sir.  I was not in that house."

    He appeared shocked, "Do you think I would lie to you, Captain?"

    The Captain was nonplussed and stood silent while in answer to the reporter's questions Julius launched into his philosophy of life.

    "If I couldn't whistle I wouldn't be happy.  I know I am a peculiar sort of a fellow, but I mean all right.  People just don't understand me, that's all the matter.  I would not insult a woman intentionally, as I have been accused."

    He went on, "I believe in speaking to anyone.  It makes no difference to me whether I know the woman or not, I will tip my hat.  I believe in good fellowship.  If I see a woman in distress I will go to her assistance immediately.  I like women.  I like everybody.  I don't believe in having enemies.  My life is an open book.  I believe in being honest and in doing my work.  And above all," he concluded virtuously, "I believe in telling the truth."

    The interview finally ended and the Captain and Julius started off to bed.

    "Oh, say, Julius,"  said the Captain, as if by afterthought, as they entered the door, "You better go back up there and tell her that everything is all right."

    "Oh, never mind," came the reply.  "She's gone to bed by this time, anyway."