A BEFRIENDED BURGLAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 101, 19 June 1911, Page 5

A BEFRIENDED BURGLAR.

A case of burglary probably unique in the annuals of that crimo is reported from Melbourne. Mr James Flood, a motor car manufacturer, was working in his factory one night with an employee, when lie was disturbed by heavy blows on a door at th" back. There wos a spialtering ef wood, and the door was burst open. This must have seemed a queer method of breaking into a place for an unlawful purpose, but the two men were not too much surprised to put out the light and keep quiet. They heard the intruder move about the promises, and eventually start rummaging among a number of tools. M oving in the direction of the sounds they saw, by the light of the intruder’s lantern, a middle-aged man idling a hag with some of the linn’s implements. Suddenly the burglar looked up and caught' sight of the men. He was speechless with fright when they asked him what ■ lie was doing, and it was some time before he could speak. The tale lie told was pitiful, says the “Argus.” He had been tramping about looking for work riu vain, until, driven to desparatiou by the plight, of las family, ho had decided to break into the factory, and steal anything that could lie turned easily into, cash. His wife and five young children, as well as himself, were on the verge of starvation, having had nothing more than a few scraps to cat for many days. He expressed sorrow for his dead, and offered, if permitted to retain his liberty, to mend the door ho had broken. Air Flood was so deeply touched by the man’s story and Ins passionate appeal for mercy that he decided not only not to give him up to the police, hut to help him in 'his extremity. Ho drove the burglar in his car to his house, gave him a good meal, and then drove him homo with a liberal supply of food for his starving family. Next day Mr Flood visited the man’s house to satisfy himself that tho case was one of genuine distress. At the sight, of his benefactor tho man collapsed in a faint. A glance showed that the man had been telling the truth, and Air Flood extended his benevolence by giving the wife a cheque and promising to lind the husband something to do.

CABLE NEWS By Electric Telegraph—Copyright United Press Association.