Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-16

Our readers Will, no doubt remember a sad
case mentioned some TIME ago in our columns,
OF lady being robbed in London of a small
amount by a very penitent thief, who wrote
pathetic letter. craving forgiveness and offering
to give himself up if communicated with In
consequence of this her husband befrended the
man. 1t then appeared that he had lived as
jewelers. assistant with one Mr.. erich, at Lean
ington, Warwickshire, who, finding that he had
acted dishoporahly, discharged him. 1t is a
singular coincidence that the lady he robbed in
London was this very Mr.. Crich's sister. 1t
would seem from this and similar cases such as
that admirable play the "ficketof-leaYe Man"
so orcibly illustrated that if the desenSus AUerni
has commenced there is rarely a chance of re-
tracing, If helping hand is held out, for first
offence is very often no sort of proof of deter
mined deprayity.
A very remarkable and gratifying instance of
a mans being morally set on his legs again, oc.
CURED some years ago in London. A gentleman
advertised for a servant. He received a reply.
1t appeared very satisfactory, but he, being very
particular, said that he must have a personal in
terview with the mans last employer. He was
then requested to call on given day at a large,
fashionable hotel at the west end of London.
He did so, and was received by person who
seemed emnently respectable, and gave the can
dldate for the place capital character. There
upon he took him, and found the man an admir-.
able servant. After he had been with him for
some time, the man ushered in one morning a
person who said that he wished to see Mr. -
on business.
This individual having entered. waited till
the door was carefully closed and then said in a
low tone, 81 am detective, sir, and | have
called to give you what is, fear, an unpleasant
piece of information. That servant of yours,
who showed me in here, is Il tcket-ol-leave
man." "ObP replied Mr., there must be
some mistake; know all about the man." The
visitor smiled incredulously. Mr. went to
nc nb,
this is policeman, who says that you're a con.
wet. | tell him that it can't be, for heard
your history from your last place." The man
held down his head. dts too true, SIR" he
said. Mr. - was aghast with aStonishment
"But how in the world can it be, then. that the
gentleman whom saw at the hotel should have
accounted for your life from his own personal
knowledge| 81 will explain all that present.
ly, sir, he said, as he looked Significantly at
the officer, whom Mr. then thanked and
dismissed. "The truth is, he continued, when
the latter had left the room, 81 was the
exclaimed Mr.. in establishment.
Yes, sir. | was utterly desperate.
knew that unless | could get place | should
have to go to stealing, and resolved to make a
last effort. disguised myself with false hair,
and took the rooms for couple of nights where
You saw me. Of course it was very wrong OF
me to deceive you, and the circumstances | was
in are the only excuse can plead. AT best, sir,
| see only this in extenuaton-that | have
served you honestly and faithfully" Mr.. -,
a kind-hearted man, felt heartily sorry for the
man. He mentioned bis case to friend who
was equally sympathetic, and the end OF it was
that he was successfully established, by their
aid, in small business, and he has been dong
remarkably well. The London prisoners aid
society has been doing great work in the same
direction, and though it has no doubt not un
frequently committed the offence of sending
some penitent thieves to recommence life on
these shores when there was no chance for them
in their own country, we can almost forgive this,
looking to the noble aim of plucking a soul
from the jaws Of perdition, and giving hope
where there was none ~ Y E3,e0j1l0 Pact