A Courageous Woman.

Manawatu Herald, 27 February 1894, Page 2

A Courageous Woman.

Among tiie "domestic comedy" incidepts of Maj. Griffiths's " Secrets of the Prison IJLouse," there is an interesting record of courage and sentiment. The wife of a ■ well- - known journalist was aroused in\^||p^ night, when alone, by sounds - oF burglars breaking in. She was elderly, but courageous..' She got up, and in the dining-room came upon a man who was riflings a bureau. He turned, saw her, and knocked her down. As soon as she could recover herself she got up and took a seat. '" I suppose," she said, " you have been driven to this by want. But why add cowardly violence to your crime ? You see I am old— old enough to be your mother. Is your mother still alive ? -^ Do you remember . her ? What would you say or do to a man who struck her in the face and knocked her down?" The old lady's words had a marked effect on the man ; the reference : t0 tits mother moved him*. He was M'i>f those criminals who had a uibtifeff' (all have not— not a rnothei' fwHoin they know and who acknowledges. «hem), and the sight of the podi* creature he had | ill-used overcawfrftirii. ' ' I'm sorry, ma'am; and I'm : ashamed of what I ; ain doing," he saitl. " 1 will not take" anything " belonging to you . except this five-pound note. But I am really' in desperate straits, and want money badty." He emptied his jacket pockets of the silver and other articles he had stolen, but with the free consent of the old lady made off with the five pounds. Some time afterwards a five.pound note came to her through the post addressed in a strange hand. She always maintained.. that it was from the burglar, who. had thus made full restitution. Maj. Griffiths thinks it would perhaps be cynical to suggest that the cash in question came from some other more suocessful "job;" but he offers the comment nevertheless.