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 West
Tweoty second street. Early in the
summer ho went TO Hampstead, leav-
ing his furniture aud silver locked
10 bis dwelling. A few weeks ago tho
Doctor went to New York, unlocked
the frant door, aud entered the par
lor. Soon hc heard footsteps coming
softly down the stairs. lilo went into
the ball, and there he discovered a
burglar.--"What are you d OF q &
here p asked tho Doctor. The bar-
glar said "lf you move I 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 MEacURY reporter.
go My good fellow said I, 4" what
induces you to commit this crime up
on crime =? You have com mitted bur.
gliry, aud now you are about to
commit murder. 1t will do You no
good to kill 40 old man like me. Yon
have 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 aud am weii-known 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
me Aud thou, why do you want to add
crime to crime ? well, you takc the
matter pretty coolly, said the burglar.
who are you, anyhow 7 I am the
Rev. DR.. Price Of the 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 in mine Ohe
right held the pistol). 1 added My
good fellow, what has induced you TO
lead this lite of crime 7 Why do you
do SO 2 Tho hand containing the
pistol dropped by the burglars side.
L am suffering" no said for food to
eat aud am without work and no one
pities INC. Yon are tho first man,
sir, that has spoken kidd word to
me for u long time. 1 shall not
harm you. l am surprised at your
GOODNESS. You are the most remar-
kable man | ever saw. "
Tho doctor had II heavy gold chain
hanging from his vest, aud gold
watch attached to- it. lie also had
money in his pockets. Tho 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 90 out,
for you will give an alarm and
shall be arrested. l cannot stay
here, that's certain, and 1 canuot
harm you, for you talk 50 kindly to
me. ! haven't the heart to iniure
you. | don't see any other way than
to tie you Is there u closet handy
to put you in ~
"rhat is unnecessary, sail the
Doctor. II will allow you to escape.
l 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 out, tue Doctor
called to him: "My good fellow,
you say that you are in want. Here,
take this dollar (handiug 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, for will not trouble
you, if you really desire to reform"
The burglar stood leaning against
the front door of the house with one
hand on the knob, looking pensively
ut the foor.-Drawing a long breath,
he raised himself full length, and,
changing his position to rest him.
self, he said, slowly, thank you, sir.
expected 20 have a fight with you
when heard you come in the door
You have conquered me without
lighting. You shall hoar from me
again, sir ! will never forget this
believe that there is
one kind.hearted man left in the
world. Good-by."
The burglar, casting o glance be-
,ind him, slid out upon the stoop,
md shutting the door after him,
walked rapidly away toward Ninth
y Mercury.
A Democratic speaker in South