The record-union., 1897-10-16
A BURGLAR CONVERTED.
A True Story Which Has Become a
Family Tradition.

This is a true burglar story. 1t was
told, in the first place, by the mother OF
the family herself it is now told by her
daughter, and it will probably be told
in years to come by generations still un-
born. AS the veracity Of everyone con-
cerned in it-including that of the burg
lar himself, in his regenerate condition
is quite unimpeachable, the facts can
be vouchsafed for.
1t was the mother of the family to
whom the adventure occurred. She was
a woman Of devout character, believing
above all things in the efficacy OF
prayer, and at the same time in deeds
as well as prayer. SO it chanced that
one of her nightly duties, as good
housekeeper, was to look under her bed
before retiring. She looked, of course,
for the devastating burglar.
One night she found him.
Under her bed was the shadowy out
line of the figure of a man. There could
be no mistake about it. She had found
her burglar at last. The next problem
was what to do with him.
The story, as it is related, does not
state if there was no one in the house
to whom she might have gone for help
but it implies that the mother of the
family was obliged to rely upon her own
resources and supernatural aid alone.
In hurried interview of the situation,
she came to the conclusion that the lat
ter was her only resource; that alone
she was helpless. So she quickly re-
solved to do in every way as she would
have done if the long -loolxedfor burg
lar had not been found.
She locked her door-she always did
that-undressed, and made her prepar
ations for bed as she was in the habit
of doing on ordinary and uneventful oc-
casions Then she knelt by her bedside
to perform her nightly devotions. Long
and fervently she prayed-praying for
the members of her family, her friends
and for the direction of her daily life.
Then she offered a special petition for
the unfortunate men led from the
paths of honesty and rectitude, for
those who had no respect for the rights
and possessions of others-she was
praying for the burglar. Having done
this, she arose and laid herself peace
fully down upon the bed as was her
wont.
That was the cue for the burglar
Crawling from under the bed, he stood
beside it and addressed the occupant:
Madam" he said, II came here with
the intention of robbing you, and of
numbering you if necessary. Your cries
for help would have been of no avail,
for / have two accomplices outside. But
have heard your prayer, and am go
ing to leave you unmolested." And he
did
That was the end of the first part Of
the burglar story. Truth being stranger
than fiction, there was a second part,
and the mother of the family saw her
burglar again.
1t was at camp. meeting, some time af-
ter the first part of the story had been
brought to so happy a conclusion. The
mother of the family was listening with
devout and grateful interest TO the
testimony being given, when a man
arose and told his experience-the his
tory of his conversion--and he told the
| burglar story and the effect of the pray
er from the burglars standpoint. i
was that man. he said, with emphasis,
as he concluded his remarks.
And l can vouch for the truth of the
story said the mother of the family
rising, while her face shone with the
Hight of great spiritual rejoicing. for
was that woman. New York Times