The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-05-21

THE Clergyman and the Burglar
The world Of fiction can hardly con
tain a more thrilling chapter than an in
cident which marked the life Of Rev.
Mr.. Lee, who was recently cut down in
his prime while pastor OF the Presby-
tcrian church in the village Of Water.
ford, New York. The adventure, says
the Troy Times, occurred on the night
before Thanksgiving, few weeks pre-.
vious to the commencement Of the sud
den illness which resulted sadly and
fatally. Mr.. Lee was sitting in his
study about one o'clock in The morning,
! preparing \ discourse to be delivered
to his congregation when assembled for
Thanksgiving worship, when he heard
a noise behind him, and became con-
scious that somebody was in the room
Snppoaing that ncighbor had drop
ped in on some unforeseen crrand, Mr..
. Lee said "What il the matter 2" and
turned around in his chair. He behcld
the grim face Of \ burglar, who was
pointing pistol AT his breast. The
The rni'ian had entered tile house by Il
side window, supposing hat all the oc
cupants were wrapped in .lnmhcr and
burst Upon the presence Of Mr.. Lee bc
fore he was aware that the study con.
taincd an occupant.
Give me your watcl, and money!
said he, "and make no noise, or l will
'ire."
Mr.. Lee said:
"You may as well put down yoi.r
weapon, for shall make No resistance
md yon arc at liberty to take all the
valnahlcs | possess"
The burglar Withdrew his menacins
pistol, and Mr.. Lee SAID:
IL will conduct Won to the place
where my most precious treasures are
placcd.' He opened door and poin.
ted to cot where his Two children lay
-l'mbelins in The sweet sleep Of limos
eensc and peace ~ hcsa," said lie,
are my choices, jewels Will You take
tnrtn?" lie proceeded to say that, as a
minister of' the gospel, he had few
earthiy possessions, aud ,ha: al lis
.n"ans were devoted to on. 81 jcct--,he
education Of ihc two children that were
repos'ng in the adjoining room. The
burglar was deeply and ,isibly aft, ctea
by these remarks. Tears filed his eyes
and he expressed the utmost sorrow at
the act which lie had been about to
commit. After a few remarks from
Mr. Ice, the woullbe criminal con
se+ted 10 knscl aud join with him in
PRAYER and there in that lonely house,
amid the silence Of midnight, the ottcn-
der poured forth his penitcmc and re-
mo, sc, while the representative OF n re.
llgion Of peace and good-w will told him
to "go and sin no more." Such 2 scene
has few parallels.
On the conclusion of the PRAYER. the
burglar attempted to take his departure
by the broken window through which
he had entered.
"Why not 60 by the front door,"
said Mr.. Lee.
The man replied
There are confc,lerates there who
woull shoot either you or me-
He desired Mr.. Lee to take an oath
on the Holy Scriptures never tc reveal
the particulars Of this interview. Mr.
Lee said it was unnecessary, as he had
the kindest feelings toward him, aid
should never divulgc aught he had
seen or heard. The next day, Mr.. Lee
while walking with M. wife. meet the
man in the street Of Waterford, and on
subsequent occasions saw him from time
10 time.
One cf the actors in this singular epi
sode fills an early grave; but by means
that we are not at liberty to disclose,
tho event did not die with HIM. What
must be the feeling Of the other party
to .his mysterious meeting, whenever
he reflects upon the lonely parsonage,
and the memorable scene that it witness
sed on the night before Thanksgiving
1862?
Among the curiositics Of matrimony
IN Eilndpi,,hin II II rpccr.lpi that