The San Francisco call., 1899-03-17

about by Mrs. Ashm0re, the Iandlady Of
the house. whose room he had entered.
Mrs Ashm0re was seated in the kitchen
OF the house when she heard peculiar
noise as if somebody was trying 70 force
an entrance into her apartments, which
are directIv. opposite the kitchen. Rush
ing into the hallway she tried the door OF
her room. but finding il locked concluded
that she was mistaken. \ few minutes
later she heard a similar noise, ana
emergfng from the kitchen she encOun-
tered AIeldrum in the act Of leaving her
room. Accosting him she asked him what
he wanted, when he ran along the hall
way, followed by the pIucky woman
The fleeing burglar dashed through the
entrance on Mission street and headed for
. washington avenue, which is off Mission
street. between Ninth and Tenth Not
withstanding that Mrs. Ashmore was hat
less she continued in pursuit OF the bold
thief After reaching Howard street
Meldrum jumped on q passing car. Mrs.
AshmOre frantiCally waved Ter hand to
the motorman as if she desired 10 board
the car. The car was Immediately stopped
and as the brave woman was within d
few feet Of II MeIdrum Jumped on and
ran down Howard street Mrs AshmOre
continued 10 follow him and at the top OF
her voice shouted stop theft
Detective Crockett, who was on a pass
ing street car, seeing Meldrum running
along the street, followed by Mrs. Ash
zens also joined in the. chase, and Mel
drum realizing he could not Outrun them,
entered the HIoernla Brewery ana soQght
70 elude his pursuerS by hiding IN q wheat
bin in the rear Of the brewery He was
promptly discovered and taken TO the
City Prison, where he was formally
charged with burglary. A sum of money,
amounting to Sl3 80, which ne stole from
Mrs. AshmOre's room, was found IN mis-
pockets. The money was booked as eVI-
Secreted in the lining of his coat was
disG3yered RED da+s23Te p4T q beev PS he nteRded
10 use II surprised by one Of the male
occupants Of the house.
The following pathetic appear OF tne
devoted mother was also found on him:
SEATTLE. Feb. %. 1899.
Thursday u My Dear Boy: Your let
Ter reached me moment ago, and 1 know II
brought TO my poor aching heart that you
would never again be guilty Of a wrong deed.
1 have not been well at all tor the past couple
.os years, and know Of no greater reason
for my iII-heaIth than this constant worry
: I seem 10 live in constant dread lest some
thing wrong may turn up IN connection Win
or We're IT not for my great viii power
should certainly have been laid up with nerv-
Ife II nv bed that I do not offer up a prayer
"a God 10 protect you and lead you 70 do
when your letter came c. had just come in to
lunch I must hide il from him cannot
allow him 70 be worried He IS the soul Of
fr0nor IN every action. ana I do think If you
should bring disgrace on him it would nearly
II not qute-kfu me. I incI0sed the money TO
you which 7 take from that given to me by
him toward my support. I snail be worried
- Death until I hear from you again, and
now II you have one particle Of love or thought
for ne do Try and lead an honest life You
promised me you would never DO aIlytnlns
wrong or bring disgrace upon me Why, then,
are you in troubleZ
You cannot do wrong and not be found out
Another thing insist upon. and that is that
vou take your own name ana not bring shame
ifron she name OF dear old Mel. who never
did a dfshonorabIe act in his life and only
L-oiirht good TO Us ali. Think well Of what
I nave said and remember always that am
hoping and praying that yoq settle down %
vv-rL- and honesty You WtU be lar happier
iran you are at the present time. Write me-
as son as you can. and for Gods sake change
your ways. Your poor sorrowing
MOTHER.
The detectives are convinced that Mel
drum IS responsible for a number OF
I1dE.ng-house burgIaries- They expect 70
locate his room to-day, and are confident
that they will fiud sufficient evidence 70
warrant them in placing other charges
against him.