Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-12-21
THE HERALD.
A Fathers Crime-It Plunges His
Family Into Ruin.
NEW York Correspondence Philadelphia Press.

One OF the best engravers in the
country, if not in the world, was
arrested at bis office, where every
thing went to prove and where he
unreservedly confessed his guilt-too
completely broken, amazed and con
fused to attempt denial. He was
fine, gentlemanly-looking man,
though of late somewhat dissipated,
owing, propably, to the wretched
business in which he was employed
lie had worked for Tiffany & Co..
and for the American Bank Note
Company, as a skillful, honest en-
graver; and SO, up 10 within two
weeks ago. thought his family
Notwithstanding his dissipation, and
the great crime OF which he is surely
guilty, he has been q kind father and
husband, and never carried his sin
into his home neither is he what
may be termed a bad man, if we can
reconcile these incongruities with
the fact that he was arrested for the
worst crime that an individual can
practice against the Government.
Bad men tempted him with large
profits, for his genius was invaluable
to the regular countcrfeiters; profits,
however, that he never realized, for
once in their employ and power he
must remain SO, and take his chances
for immense gains along with possible
discovery. conviction. and the State
Prison.
After his arrest, in company with
the the chief of the secret service
and two subcrdinates, he was escort
ed to his home ruined, disgraced,
gnilty wretch, and the scene that
ensued was indeed heartrending-
Accustomed as were the officers to
painful family griets brought about
by their summary arrests, the usual
sequence of home innocence and
tears was nothing new or unlocked
for; but this family's despair touched
eve them, and they did not care to
meet the gaze of the affrighted We
man who met them at the door.
A beautiful daughter of 16 lifted
white, Mortified face beyond her
mothers another of 10 shranlx
against the wall bright intelligent
boy of stood transfixed in wonder,
and smiling infant of 2 confronted
the miserable father and husband
The officers needed not to search
tho house for traces of his evil deeds.
Wife and children were innocent, and
the long-practiced officers knew it at
glance.
The unhappy wife sank into a
chair. Clasping her shaking hands
one over the other, and sway
ing to and fro, she moaned the pitiful
cry TO heaven, 80 God p 80 God II
"Why can't / die now ?" Her wet
face was livid beneath its tears, and
shrunk and shapen visibly like d face
that is dying. Tear after tear fell
from her staring eyes, and rolled
down her paid checks to her lap
Never once putting up her hands to
wipe them away, they lay helpless
on her knee, and the look she turned
on them was utterly broken hearted.
The young daughter sobbed frantic
ally, go father father what have
you done ?" Then turning to the
chief, 20 don't believe it, sir; my
father could not do it." The little
girl chung to the officers knee in
childish entreaty. "Don't take my
| father to prison please, please
DON'T" The boy hid under the bed,
and the baby awIed at the mothers
feet, whimpering in its fright un-
| needed.
The father looked upon the ruin
he had wrought, the grief he had
brought upon his loved ones, and
sob after sob broke from his bosom.
Dashing down his graver, he cried j:
God cursed me in my genius, and
I'll never lift it again." He covered
his face, and in his tears those who
loved him hushed their pitiful cries
The poor wife found her strength
and voice at the pIteous sight, and
came and put her hand gently on his
shoulder. My poor, poor husband
How could you; how could you bring
US such sorrow, and yourself such
dreadful misery? 1t is saturday
night, and there is neither food nor
fire; they will take you Toto
away from us, and oh what shall l
do tor the children? Who will pity
or help us after this 2" 81, / expected
some money tonight" said the Grim
inal, taking from his pocket a torn
half dollar; "this all | have take
it and get a little bread for them to-
night" He put it in her hand, but
the trembling fingers dropped it un-
noticed. "My husband in jail, my
children starving o God what
have | done that | must suffer so 2"
Here the chief stepped forward.
You shall not suffer; I'll see, mad
am, that you and your children are
mace comfortable" She lifted her
strea ming streaming eyes, Il am go
full of trouble | don't know how to
thank you; he is guilty, guilty, but
my husband"
eyes," burst out the prisoner, Il
am guilty; you have the presses,
plates everything, and know it, but
before Almighty God they are inno-
cent they knew nothing of it," II
am perfectly well aware of it," said
the chief, and as it was painful to all,
they departed with the prison er,
leaving tho desolate home to its tears
and anguish.
If ever mortal grief was written
on woman's face it was stamped
on the CHASTITY features of this coun-
terfeiter's wife, when she looked
around on her weeping children-no
reproach; only "How could you,
how could you ?" l have seen the
law forced into many loving homes
where its head by its recent crimes
brought sudden woe, but never did
witness SO narrowing scene as at
this miserable engraver's dwelling.
She kept twisting her fngers togeth-
/ anA anhhino, opd