The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-11-07

Times When 1t Has Concealed the
Oft.A4OOked.fOr Burglar.

The man under the bed does not al
ways prove myth. Perhaps it is an
actual fact that women who pray look for
him more regularly than others of less
spiritual turn of mind when the good
woman kneels at the bedside to offer her
devotions it is the most natural thing in
the world tor her to first explore that
historic territory and satisfy herself that
no concealed burglar is listening. 1t is
also awell-authenticated fact that pous
woman in the suburbs of London did dis
cover the legs of bold, bad house breaker
sticking out just as she began her petition.
She did not shrek, but went on with
prayer for that particular sinner that
would have melted the heart of a New
gate thief. | wish that it might be added
that he was converted on the spot, came
out and was pardoned, and afterward
married the petitioner But truth compels
me to add that the good woman was inter-
rupted in the most solemn part of her
prayer by peal of laughter from the
graceless younger brother who had enacted
the part of burglar
More tragic was the story of the lady
who, travelling alone stopped at an inn and
mentioned the fact that she had been fol-
lowed and watched by villainous-look
ing man with a shock of red hair, who
she feared had designs upon the valuables
she carried with her. AS nothing was
seen of him at the inn, she retired for the
night, carefully locked the door and was
soon in bed, leaving light burning in
front of mirror No sooner was her head
on the pillow than she had distinct view
of the man with the red hair crouching
under the bed. She made no sound, but
reached softly for scarf she had laid
near, made it into running moose and
waited. The next morning, when her
servants broke open the door, they found
the lady sitting up in bed, grasping with
the fearful weight of the dead man; she
had strangled him, but was herself raw
ing maniac from whom reason had forever
gone.
Some time ago prominent Judge in
Birmingham, N. H., was found murdered
in his own house, and no clew to the MUIR
derer. 1t was Immediately after an adverse
decision he had made in a case of great i'm
portance, and the murder was supposed to
have been instigated by a desire for re-
venge, but as all the parties were re-
spectacle people it was impossible to
fasten the guilt on any one. The Judge
was widower, and lived alone with the
exception of young daughter and the
servants This daughter was beautiful,
and on the evening in question had re-
turned home from ball at late hour and
gone directly to her own room, where
she stood before her mirror taking off her
jewels. AS she did SO, she held her white
and rounded arm above her head, and con-
scious Of its beauty, said aloud "What
beautiful arm I" little thinking the re-
mark of such consequence as it proved
to be in the tragedy that followed. The
girl both saw and heard her fathers mur-'
derer, but as he was masked failed to
distinguish his features, but always de-
clared she should know his voice if she
ever heard it. Several years passed, and
in another city she was standing in a
crowd observing some passing sight,
when she was conscious Of the curious
regard Of stranger who stood near.
Looking at her with singular intensity,
he made this remark: "Oh, the beauti-
full arm!" She knew the voice in an