The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-07-25
MONGOLIAN GENIUS.
CLEVER ACT OF A CHiNAMAN WHO
STOLE A BOX Of JEWELS.

Story of q Burglary in China-A Creased
Scamp Covered With a Sheet Makes
Away with the Strong Box of an Amer
ican Embassador-The Thief Escapes.
"My husband was, as you know, in
the Austrian diplomatic service" said
an American woman whose experience
of divers lands had been most extensive,
"and of course the number Of incidents
IN our varying life has been legion. But
there was one adventure which occurred
while we were attached to the embassy
In China that so combined the ludicrous
with really serious that shall never for
get it.
"After we had been there about year
there occurred some grand jubilee or
other at the court to celebrate the EN-
peror's birthday or some other festive
occasion, and Baron B. had been sent
from Vienna as special convoy to tender
congratulations, etc. He, of course,
stopped at the legation. The night be-
fore he was to leave he returned very
late for dinner. could see during the
evening that he was distract and wor-
ried, and after our guests had gone ne
confded to the count and myself his
trouble.
"He was nervous, fussy little man.
and was evidently greatly disturbed. i
have had some important jewels con-
fided to my care, he told us, TO be given
to our emperor as memento Of this &C.
casion. Tomorrow sail, as you know,
In the government steamer for home,
and as soon as am aboard ship shall
not feel any anxiety; but must confess
that tonight l am nervous-why, l do
not know; but I have the feeling, and /
thought would confde 1t to you, and
perhaps you would share my response
bility.'
"My husband, who has inherited from
his Irish mother a bold carelessness
which has often stood him in good stead,
although disastrous in this instance, said
good naturally: Give them to me, if
you like. l have an iron box by my bed
where lock up any important papers
that l have in my room at night, and |
will keep them for you. The baron,
greatly relieved. gladly handed over the
little case that held the costly trinkets,
and shortly afterward we all retired for
the night.
STORY OF THE BURGLARY.
The counts room adjoined mine, and
the last thing ] remember was seeing the
glimmer of his light under the door as
he sat writing at his desk. finishing uE
his dispatches for the morrow. l was
awakened from deep sleep by the noise
of scuf1e, and Immediately afterwarC
the shout of my husband. and in few
minutes the whole house was aroused
Catch the thievesr shouted the count
and for short time all was in confu
sion, no one understanding the why an(
the wherefore of the uprOar, the count
in the lightest of attire, having ton
down the stairs and into the courtyard
After a useless pursuit he returned
breathless, to tell his story.
"The box was gone; that had seel
at once, and had already communicate
my fears to Baron H.. who had also ap
peared upon the scene, and who wa
nearly frantic. Between gasps 70
breath-for what with the excitemen
and the chase and his embonpoint m
poor husband was completely exhauste
we finally elected the following facts
After he had put the jewels in the stron
box, which stood on table at the hea
of his bed, he sat down at his desk, an
finding that he had more to do than h
expected, wrote until the small hours {
the morning.
Notwithstanding the lateness of tn
hour he was restless after he finally &C
to bed, and did not fall into SCUM
sleep; 80 that the light noise of the opel
ing door aroused him at once, and by til
dim light from the hall he saw a muf1e
figure approaching his bed, while ar
other form, also shrouded in drapery
stood by the door. Count A. is a brav
man and a strong man. and has alway
been famous athelete; so rather enjo,
ing the idea of the denouement he la
quietly In wait, knowing by fash
intuition that the jewels were the objet
Of the midnight marauders.
A CREASED BURGLAR.
1.-The robber came steadily and nois
lessly toward the box as if he were pc
fectly familiar with the location. viii
the count feigned sleep and allowed hi
to come near enough to lay his har
upon it. Then with sudden movemel
he threw his powerful arms around II
thief and shouted for help, but by an i
describable wriggle the creature slippt
with the dexterity of a serpent from q
der the heavy sheetlike drapery, leavil
1t in my husbands clutch.
with bound the latter WIS out
bed, and for the second time he had Il
miscreant in his grasp; but again he W
fooled, this time by new device which
WIN venture to say has never been hea
OF IN the police reports Of any civilix
country. The man was completely nu
and CREASED from head to foot with
eofh buttsry Substance that made hi
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