On Strike, or, Where do the Girls come in? — John Shaqi
On Strike, or, Where do the Girls come in?Glenfield, Edric
General
On Strike, or, Where do the Girls come in?
Glenfield, Edric
Australia -- Fiction; Humorous stories; Short stories; Strikes and lockouts -- Fiction
To make an example, the Inspector-General ordered a constable to arrest
one of the girl strikers. The policeman, who was a timid man where a
woman was concerned, walked up to the girl, who was very pretty and
well-dressed, and half raising his helmet stammered something about
being very sorry, but would she mind coming with him? “Certainly I
do, you impertinent fellow,” replied the girl, “I have a good mind to
give you in charge; anyway I will tell my ma.” The constable blushed,
as only a policeman can blush, and, muttering an apology, returned to
Inspector Gooseberry, and told him he was unable in this case to obey
orders. Gooseberry at once saw what a difficulty he was placed in, and
retired to his office in a most dejected state of mind. Next morning
an advertisement appeared in the _Morning Terror_, requesting any
persons having had experience in quelling girl strikers to call on the
Inspector-General.
About eleven o’clock a carriage dashed up to the office, and a
fashionably-dressed lady alighted from it, giving her card, on which
was engraved Mrs. Pitcher, Potts’ Point, to a constable; she requested
to see Inspector-Gooseberry.
She was immediately ushered into his sanctum, and when the Inspector
recognised her, a smile of satisfaction lit up his face. “I have come
to offer a suggestion to you in the present crisis.”
“Mr. Gooseberry,” said she, “you find that you are unable to control
these respectable young women with your present force! What you must
do is to raise a force of special girl constables.” Gooseberry at
once saw the wisdom of this idea, and thanked Mrs. Pitcher warmly.
He immediately advertised, inviting 1500 of the Sydney young ladies
to come to the assistance of the Government, and act as special
constables. Next day the whole of Phillip-street was blocked with the
carriages of the _elite_ of Sydney society. The Miss Canarykins were
the first to join, and their example was quickly followed by all the
other young ladies. It was decided that the force should be dressed in
uniform, the choice of which was left to Mrs. Pitcher, who was also
aided by Busybee who kindly offered her assistance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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