Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1898 — Round the Corner. [ARTICLE]

Round the Corner.

An amusing incident of Dr. Lyman Beecher’s student days was told In a sketch of the famous clergyman, written by John Ross Dix over forty years ago. One night ho was awakened by a sound at his window, as if some one were drawing cloth through a broken pane of glass. Springing up, he dimly saw his clothes disapearing through the broken window, a thief having taken a fancy to them. Waiting for no ceremonies of toilet, young Beecher dashed out after the burglar, who dropped the clothes at once, and put himself to his best speed. But Lyman was not to be easily outrun, especially when thus stripped to the race. After turning several corners, the caitiff was seized and marched back by the eager student He ushered him Into his room, compelled him to lie down on the floor by the side of his bed, while he, more comfortably ensconced in the bed, lay the night long watching him, the silence being broken only by an occasional “Lie still, sir!” In the morning the culprit was taken before a magistrate, who was evidently a lineal descendant of Justice Shallow. The magistrate, after hearing the particulars, asked Mr. Beecher “whether, In turning the comers, he lost sight of the man at aIL” He replied that the man was out of sight bat a second, for he was close upon him, “Ah, well,” said the magistrate, “If you lost sight of him at all, you cannot swear to his Identity!” So the man was discharged. Mr. Beecher met the fellow several times afterward, bnt was never able to “catch bis eye.”