Over zealous police officer draws complaint

“He squeezed her too tight” – The Montreal Daily Post Oct. 27, 1888

On Thursday a woman who sells on the Bonsecours market came to Sub Chief Naegele to complain of the way she had been treated by a policeman. It appears that the lady was overcome by her exertions when at work and fainted. A sturdy guardian of the peace saw the recumbent form, and, grasping the situation and the woman at the same time, picked the market woman up, and so nervous was he that he pressed her to him to support her rather more forcibly then he at the time realized. In fact he squeezed so hard that she vomited all her breakfast up. Hence the complaint, “he squeezed her too tight.” Sub Chief Naegele appeased the wrath of the lady by explaining that if the policeman had erred he had, like the famous Midshipman Easy, done so all through zeal. The complainant then departed, saying that the next time she faints she hopes that she will be left along to come round.

Ed’s note: Mr. Midshipman Easy is an 1836 novel about a young man who joins the British Royal navy during the Napoleonic wars. Here is the relevant quote about “zeal”: “All zeal, Mr Easy. Zeal will break out in this way; but we should do nothing in the service without it. Recollect that I hope and trust one day to see you also a zealous officer."