Democratic banner. (Bowling Green, Pike County, Mo.) 1845-1852, 1850-12-30
From .4rthur's Home Gazette.
The Thief and his BenefactOr.
BY FELIX.
BY FELIX.

"Circumstances made me what am, -
said a condemned criminal to benevolent
man who visited him in prison. "l was driv-
6n by necessity to steal"
"Not so,' replied the keeper, who was
standing by. ''Rather say, that your own
character made the circumstances by which
YOU were surrounded. God never places
upon any creature the necessity OF break
ing his commandments. You stole because,
in heart you were thief"
The benevolent man reproved the keeper
for what he called harsh words. He be.
Iieved that, alone, BY the force of external
circumstances, men were made criminals.
That if society were differently arranged,
there would be little or no crime in the
world. And so he made interest for the
criminal, and, in the end secured his release
from prison. Nor did his benevq|ence stop
here. He took the man into his service
and entrusted to him his goods and money.
81 RiiiTemove from him all temptation
to steal, - said he, "by liberal supply of
his wants.
aHave you q wife2" he asked OF the man,
when he TOOK him from the prison.
'sNo," was replied.
"Nor any one but yourself to support?''
ii arf alone in the world"
"You have received a good education,
and can serve me as a clerk. |, therefore
take you into my employment, at fair sala.
n. Will FIVE hundred dollars be enough?''
sit will be an abund ance," said the man,
With evident surprise at an offer SO unex.
psctsdIy liberal.
3Very well. That will place you above
temptation"
"And will be innocent and happy. You
are my bauefactor. You have saved me. u
81 believe it," said the man Of benevo-
lence.
And 80 he entrusted his goods and his
money to the man he had reformed By pls-
cing him in different circumstances.
But it is in the heart Of man that the evil
lies; and in the hearts impulses spring all
our actions. That must cease to be Bit
ter fountain before it can send forth sweet
water. The thief was thief still. Not q
month had elapsed ere he was devisine
the means to enable him to get from his
kind, but mistaken friend, more than the
liberal sum for which he had agreed te
ssrve him. He coveted his neighbor'i
goods whenever his eyes fell upon them.
and restlessly sought to acquire their pos.
session. In order to make more sure the
attainment of his ends, he. affected senti-
neDts of morality, and even went so far as
. cover his purpose by show Of religion
And tts De was able to deceive his friend
Time went on-and the thief, apparently
tsformed by change ofrelation to society,
ssatinued at his post of responsibility. How
twas, The benefsctor could not make it out:
lst his affairs gradually became less pros
Perous. He made Investigations into his
witness; but was unable to find anything
wrong,
| ,,FArs you aware that your clerk is pur.
sAassr Of property to considerable ex-
sont," asked mercantile friend of him
one day.
any clerk! 1t cannot be. His income i,
esly Eve hundred dollars year."
de bought piece of property for five
eessnd dollars last week"
stImpossibIe!''
al know il to be true. Are you aware
Vat he was once convict in the State
lsison."
soh yes. took him from prison myself,
% gave him chance for his life. / do
y bellows in hunting men down for sim
gs crime, the result of circumstances ra.
asT than bad heart"
"a truly honest man, let me tell you,"
/ Hphed the merchant, sswill be honest in
ead all ciTcumstances. And Q rogue
sM be aSogue place him where you will.
ses evil i radical end II must be cured ra-
e'esily. Your reformed thief hes robbed
5ss witAeus doubt" s
tAays rsaSen TO fear that he hs, been