The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-13
ParSOn Schultz Played II
With Bad Results,
Was Taken for a Burglar and
Covered With a Pistol.
Later Was Arrested and Told Of His
Love for Rhoda In Court.

Hempsteau, H. l., March l3.-Munied In
big ulster and with his hat drawn over
his eyes the Rev. Charles schultz pas
tor of the Uniondale Congregational
Church, left his boarding house late
Thursday evening. About mile from
the pastors house is the big country
place OF Alvin G.. Smith. When in front
OF that house the minister stopped.
Shortly afterward Miss Rhoda Half, Mr..
Smiths sister-in-la law was aroused by q
strange noise on the front piazza roof.
Miss Han had only retired "a few minutes
before and was fully awake. Looking
toward the window she saw the shadow
OF man gradually outline itself on the
window curtain.
With "a scream Miss Half sprang from
her bed, dashed into the hall and ran into
Mr. Smith Io)m. As she threw herself
In bis arms she exclaimed, in an excited
tone:
There's man in my room" Then
she tainted away.
Revolver In hand, Mr. Smith dashed
toward her apartment. As he reached it
he saw a man 5 form clearly outlined on
the curtain and heard voice exclaming
"Rhodel Rhodal'
Pulling the curtain aside, Mr.. Smith
pushed up the sash and covering the
intruder with his revolver, asked what
he was doing there and threatened to put
.eeled and fell off the piazza. There
was "a thud down on the ground followed
by "A groan and the sound of footsteps.
As the man dashed from the shadow cast
by the house in the moon light, Mrs.
Smith joined her husband at the window.
They instantly recognized the intruder
ss the Rev. Charles Schultz, pastor of
the church they attended. t't
Mr.. Smith summoned n farm hand, told
him to run as fast as he could 10 the
house of George Cornelius, where the Rev.
Mr.. Schultz boards and ascertain IL the
minister was at home. The farmland
returned in short time and said that
when he reached the house the minister
was in bed.
Both Mr. Smith and his wife were posi-
tive of their Identification, and the former
went at once before Justice Taylor and
entered complaint of burglary against
the minister. 1t was then after midnight,
but Mr.. Smith secured the services of
Constable Gilderslecve, and together they
proceeded to the dominie's residence. He
was still i'm bed. Constable Gildersleeve
read the warrant to him and then placed
the minister under arrest. Before leaving
MIR. Schultz knelt in prayer He was taken
before Justice Taylor, and in short time
was released on $3.50 bonds. John Conrad, a
druggist, furnished the security.
When arraigned the minister said: Il
am minister of the Gospel, he began,
solemnly, and am, or was pastor of the
Uniondale Church, the scene lately of SO
much contention. The events of last night
are, am sorry TO say, all true. / had but
single purpose In mind when last night
/. went TO the house of Mr.. Abram G.
Smith. / knew 1t was my duty To speak
20 Rhoda, were 1t only TO say three words
Everything / have in this world is for
ner had made a vow to God to speak to
her and tell her how i loved her and what
she Is To me- "
The mans voice was charged with emo
tion and Miss Half had covered her face
with her handkerchief and was sobbing
audibly. All of the women present wept
Before i went to her house last night, 4"
continued Schultz, Il prayed for guild
ance, and then crawled up TO the top of the
piazza and called to her, 'Rhoda
Rhoda 70 Here Mr.. Schultz reached out
nis arm in an imploring fashion toward
Miss Half, who cried bitterly
The next moment l heard voice say
Get off that roof instantly or you are
dead man III put bullet through
you' Unnerved and frightened, / stag
gered and fell backward off the porch
am sorry / went To see Rhoda, but love
her and will marry her il it takes ten
years. / did not attempt to open her
window. l did not try TO hide behind
the blinds. | was not disguised. Mine
was an crrand of love- and / would will
lngly risk my life any time for Rhoda.
Everything depended on my seeing her
last night. They had barred every other
way and could not have done otherwise.
Rhoda was dear Co me. When all were
against me she has cheered me with words
loving and kind. "
With his eyes still fixed In fond gaze
on the young woman, the dominic left
the stand. Justice Taylor then coughed
and said: The evidence in this case
does not sustain the charge made in the
complaint and the defendant Is dis
charged.