The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1876-10-12
A Clergyman and NE BURGLAR.


The Rev. DR.. Pricc, formerly rector
Of ST. Stephens Episcopal Church
lived until recestly at 100 Yves,
Tweoty second street. Early in the
summer he went to Hampstead, leav-
ing his furniture and silver locked
10 bis dwelling. A few weeks ago tho
Doctor went to New York, unlocked
the frant door, aud entered the pat-
lor. Soon hc heard footsteps coming
softly down the stairs. Ho went into
tho hall, and there he discovered q
burglar.-"What are you d OF 9
here ?" asked tho Doctor. Tho bar
glar said "If you move 1 will blow
your brains OUT aud dragged him
into the parlor and told him to sit
down. II began to talk to him. said
the Doctor to q MERCURY reporter.
90 My good fellow, 3" said I, d" what
induces you to commit this crime up
on crime q? You have committed bur.
gliry, and now you are about to
commit murder. 1t will do you no
good to kill 40 old man like me. You
hayo already run the risk Of twenty
years 10 State Prison and to little pur-
pose. II you kill me you will be
found out, 1 have many friends in
the city and am weii-kuown here. The
murder will cause great excitement,
and you will be hanged for it. As a
mere matter Of policy it is folly 20 kill
mo And thou, why do you want to add
crime to crime ? well, you tako the
matter pretty coolly. said the burglar.
who are you, anyhow 7 i am tho
Rev. DR.. Price Of tho Episcopal
Church, and have spent portion Of
my timo laborius among your class Of
people, The burglars 8 manner chan
ged when said this, aud he took The
pistol away from my head. Tsking
tho burglars left hand 10 mine (he
right held the pistoD, l added Ny
good fellow, what has Induced you to
lead this lite of crime Why do you
do so 2 Tho hand containing the
pistol dropped by tho burglars side.
Il am SUFFERING ho said for food to
eat and am without work aud no one
pities me- Yon are the first man,
sir, that has spoken q kind word to
me for u long time. 1 shall not
harm you. l am surprised at your
GOODNESS. You are tho most remar-
kable man ever saw
Tho doctor had heavy gold chain
hanging from his vest, aud gold
watch attached to it. He also had
money in his pockets The burglar
did not attempt to rob him. lie
said You have destroyed all my
desire to steal, aud as for harming
you, you need not fear that But |
must escape, and how to do it |
don't know. | am afraid to 60 out,
for You will givo an alarm and 1
shall be arrested. l cannot stay
here, that s certain, and / cauuot
harm you, for you talk 50 kindly to
me. ! haven't tho heart to iniure
you. don't see any other way than
to tie you Is there closet handy
to put you in ~
THAT is unnecessary, sail the
Doctor. II will allow you to escape
| will give you all the time you want.
| will not make any alarm until you
are out of danger. My life is in dan-
ger, and l promise you that you
shall have all the time you want
well, guess III trust you."
He started for tho door. As he
was about to go ont, the Doctor
called to him: "My good fellow,
you say that you arc in want. Here,
take this dollar (handing him sill.
YER dollar) l am willing to help
you further if you will write me
when You get away. You need not
fear to do 80, forI will not trouble
you, if you really desire to reform"
The burglar stood leaning against
The front door of the house with one
land on the knob, looking pensively
1t the foor-Drawing u long breath,
10 raised himself full length, and,
his position to rest him
'elf, he said, slowly, thank you, sir.
expected to have fight with you
when heard you come in the door
You have conquered me without
lighting. You shall hear from me
gain, sir will never forget this
occurrence. believe that there is
mo kind.hearted man left in the
world. Good.by."
The burglar, casting q glance be-
ind him, slid out upon the stoop,
nd shutting the door after him,
walked rapidly away toward Ninth
Y. Mercury.