The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-02-20
A Rare Case of Conscience.

One of those rare cases where con-
science compels the restitution of stolen
property, often noted in story, but seld om
occurring in real life, transpired in our
city on Wednesday. The facts in brief are
as follows:
Mr.. James Moore, hardware dealer, no
ticed a man lettering about in his store
ner and occasional wistful glances plainly
denoted his desire to relieve his mind of
some burden. He remained some time
in the store, but finally took his departure
without stating his business.
In the afternoon he again made his ap-
pearance with companion. They seated
themselves near the stove, and, after a
short time, the companion said his friend
had something to say to Mr.. Moore,
who thereupon invited the man into his
counting room. After little hesita-
ton he announced his errand which, he
| said, was desire to refund to Mr.. Moore
the value of articles stolen from his store.
He said that, for number of years past,
he had, at different times, purloined arti-
cles of hardware from the store, and that
lately the crime had weighed heavily up
on his cOnscience; that he had been unable
to eat or sleep in consequence, and that
he wanted to make all the reparation in
his power.
He then took from his pocket-book S.
bill, which he handed to Mr.. Moore, ask
ing if it was enough. Mr.. Moore replied
that he knew nothing of the matter, or
the amount taken, and asked if it was not
too much. After some little deliberation
the man took another So note from his
pocket and said he thought that was none
too much, and would not more than cover
the value of the things he had stolen.
During the forenoon of the same day
he visited the store of Ward, Humphrey
& Dodge, and, taking Mr.. Humphrey
aside, he said he had stolen from his store,
at previous time, number of chisels,
which he took from his pocket. They
were i'm new, bright condition, evident
ly never having been used, and he said
they had not. He related his story of his
thieving operations to Mr.. Humphrey,
and said that it had been sort of mania
with him; that he had been in the employ
of man in the town where he lived for
fifteen years, and that no suspicion ofhis
propensities was entertained by his
friends. He talked very freely about
himself, asserting that he had suffered Sc
we're pangs of conscience through re-
morse, and was determined in future to
remain strictly honest. He urged Mr..
Humphrey to accept $40, which he ten
dered him but the money was refused.
AlUer leaving ulle SUOre lie went Gown
to d. L. Guernsey's bookstore, and,
calling him to one side, presented an old
copy of the New Hampshire Register,
which, he said, he had stolen from him
some time ago, and wished to pay for.
He burst into tears as he made the confess
sion, and said that he had frequently in
dulged his peculating disposition there,
and desired to make ample restitution.
He also related the story of his compunc-
tons to Mr.. Guernsey, and stated that he
had been converted to religion. He paid
down five or six dollars, which he thought
would cover the value of goods abstract
ed.
The above were all the visitations the
man made in this city; and those with
whom he conversed, and to whom he
made restitution, were satisfied that his
repentance was sincere. His character is
represented by those who have known
him for years to be good; and it must
have been a genuine work of conscience
which made him confess that he secretly
deserved an opposite reputation. We
have the mans name and location, but
deem it improper tc publish them, as it
would be wrong to efigratt a stigma on
the reputation of one who has, as above
described, acted so honOrably and eXhib-
tied proof of true repentance for past mis-
dpe0a N H. PntriOt