Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-24
RECTOR AND ROGUE
Rev. r. F. Sweets Encounter
With a Burglar.
BOTH ARE WONDERFULLY COOL.

Intruder Is Struck With the Quiet Fear
Iessness Of the Priest. Whom He Awak-
ems and Converses With - A Pecul-
lar Experience Indeed-Other Burxlaries.
Rev. R. F. Sweet talked calmly for
fully Is minutes shortly after mid
night last night in his bed chamber
at Trinity rectory with a burglar
who had awakened him on entering.
1t was one of the most remarkable
experiences that it. befalls man to
undergo. and people who have often
told what they would do on encoun-
tering a burglar may learn from Mr..
Sweet what he did and how he at
least felt under the ordeal.
Mr.. Sweets sleeping apartment is
on the main floor of the rectory on
the opposite side Of the hall from the
parlor and like it faces Sixth avenue,
while in the rear of it is his study.
He had not been asleep long when he
was suddenly awakened by an unus-
ual sound like someone walking
heavily about. He had scarcely col
lected his thoughts when the muzzle
OF revolver was thrust under his
nose with the admonition: s.Keep
still!'
Demands Money.
Comprehending the situation in an
instant Mr.. Sweet promptly ex-
claimed: Hello. what are YOU do
ing here! What right have you in
my ROOM"
II want your money!" was the
calm but emphatic reply.
There it is in my clothes: take
it," responded the rector in tone of
undismayed submission that seemed
to unnerve the intruder.
"How much have you got?" next
asked the burglar.
VERY little, indeed. am a priest
and do not keep much money in the
house. and that generally belongs to
the parish church or Sunday school.
But what little have is there in NV
Clothes"
The burglar diligently searched
the trousers, which were on a
chair near the bed and soon found a
small purse from which he took some
two dollars in small change, and
then turning reproachfully to the
rector, said bluntly: "You are living
to me: you have got more money
than this"
Il am not lying to you." quietly
retorted Mr.. Sweet. perhaps I
have more money, and might still
not have much"
"Well, want the rest" said the
scamp as he dived into another
pocket and there found pocket
book. Opening it he took from one
OF the compartments number of
private papers.
These are not money!" he said
with an air of disappointment.
Rector Was UndIsmayed.
Il know they are not" was Mr..
Sweets calm rejoinder. Those are
my railroad passes, calling cards and
other private papers. and they will
be OF no use to you, so put them
back"
Struck with the fact that he had
met his match. the rogue replied:
We'll. l guess you're right" So he
put the papers back where he he had
found them and then looking further
discovered 1O-dollar note. This he
pocketed. but mistook it for a bill of
smaller denomination. evidently, for
he again repeated his insulting as
sertion to MIR. Sweet: IL believe Won
are lying to me about what money
you have" but with an air of
abruptness he demanded: ..Where is
your vest?"
There" said Mr.. Sweet, as cool
as ever.
The burglar searched it, but was
disappointed.
Where is your watch?" he in
sisted.
lit is not here"
"Sit up" he exclaimed.
Mr.. Sweet responded.
The burglar searched under the
pillows and between the mattresses,
but without success.
MIR. Sweet thought it wa. his turn
now, SO he asked in an ordinary
tone: ''Are you a professional burg
larp"
"Shut up, or I'll put bulle. in
you. was the stern retort.
THAT would do you no good, and
would only do me harm. besides YOU
need fear no alarm. There are only
two OF us in the house-myself and
the servant, whose room is on an
other floor, and there will be no out.
cry, so there is no occasion for YOUR
shooting"
Taken again with the urdisturbed
demeanor Of the minister, the bur-
glar became more CO mmunicatiye.
No, am not profes sional, he re-
piled.
well, can you find no better &C.
cuPation than this providing about.
especially when it is SO nearly ap-
preaching the anniversary OF the
coming of our Lord to save sinners?
Besides. do you not know that the
crime you are committing is apt to
lead to something more dreadful?
You may murder, or you may be
murdered"