SCHOOLMISTRESS, POLICEMAN, HERO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2556, 17 July 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

SCHOOLMISTRESS, POLICEMAN, HERO.

BRAVE CONDUCT EARNS TRIP TO EUROPE. One of the most remarkable little touring parties that ever reached England from America arrived at Liverpool on Wednesday, May 12th. The party comprised three maiden ladies and a policeman. How they came to make the trip makes quite a romantic story. The ladies are the Misses Emma, Lillian, and Mary James, proprietresses of a h:ghclass girls’ school at Trenton, New Jersey, and their male friend is Constable' Hamilton Crisp. Some months ago the ladies were awakened by noises in the lower apartment of their school, and, descending, discovered two burglars with a pile of valuables packed for removal. Their screams brought Crisp on the scene, and though the odds were two to one he at once attacked the. men. The terrified ladies, cowering in a corner of the room, watched the struggle with bated breath, until at last the stalwart officer emerged triumphant, and the men were hauled off to gaol. Crisp was badly injured, and was for some time in hospital. While he was incapacitated the grateful ladies made daily inquiries after him, sent him books ana papers, and other inmates of the ward envied him the delicacies that frequently found their way to his bedside. ‘ When Crisyi recovered, the Misses James persuaded the authorities to grant him three months’ leave, and insisted on him .accompanying them on a trip to Europe. That is how it oame about that three white-haired ladies in gowns of bygone fashion and a stalwart broad-shouldered man, who waited on them untiringly, were among the most noteworthy, of the passengers on the liner Morion, which reached, Liverpool on the Wednesday. Crisp’s attention to his benefactors excited the admiring notice of everybody: Did one want a deck chair it was at her side almost as soon as the wish was expressed, and the slightest ■suspicion of .a cold wind brought tlielr policeman hero to the ladies armed with shawls, which were thrown around their shoulders with all the tenderness and skill of a loving cavalier. Having seen the luggage into safe custody, Crisp took the ladies on a tour of Liverpool. After the clnef places of interest in the British Isles have been visited, the unique little party go on to France, Germany. Holland, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, and Italy.