Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-03-27
A Case Of Conscience.

One of those rare cases WneTe con
science compels the restitution OF stolen
property. often noted in story, but sell
dom occurring in real life, TRANSFERRED IN
our city on Wednesday. The facts IN
brief are as follows:
Mr.. James Moore, hardware dealer, no
ticed man lettering about IN his STORE
Yesterday morning, whose peculiar man
ner and occasional wistful glances PLAIN
ly denoted his desire to relieve his NINA
of some burden. He remained some
time in the store, but finally took his de-
parture without stating his business.
In the afternoon he again made his ap-
pearance with companion. They seat
ed themselves near the stove, and, after q
short time, the companion said his friend
had something to say to Mr.. Moore, VINO
thereupon invited the man into his count
ing-room. After little hesitation he
announced his errand, which, he said,
was a 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, pur-
Joined articles of hardware from the
store, and that lately the crimes had
weighed heavily upon 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 five
dollar bill, which he handed to Mr. Moore,
asking if it was enough. Mr.. Moore re-
piled that he knew nothing of the matter,
of the amount taken. and asked If it was
not too much. After some little delibera-
ton the man took another five dollar note
from his pocket, and said he thought that
was aone too much, and would not more
than cover the value of the things he had
stolen.
During the forenoon of the same cay
he visited the store of Warde, 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
and gave him. They were in a new,
bright condition, evidently never having
been used, and he said they had not. He
related his story of his thieving opera
tions to Mr. Humphrey, and said that it
had been sort of mania with him; that
he had been in the employ of q man in
the town where he lived for fifteen years,
and that no suspicion Of his propensities
was entertained by his friends. He talked
very freely about himself, asserting that
he had suffered severe pangs of con-
SCituCc IulOuSu ISuoIoc, anu was uStef-
mined in future to remain strictly honest.
He urged Mr.. Humphrey to accept ten
dollars, which he rendered him, but the
money was refused
After leaving the store he went down
to ID. L. Guernsey's bookstore, and, call
ing 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 confession, and
said that he had frequently INDUCED his
peculating disposition there, and desired
to make ample restitution. He also re-
lated the story of his computations to
Mr.. Guernsey, and stated that he had
been converted to religion. He paid
, down So or $6, which he thought would
cover the value of the goods distracted.
The above were all the visitations the
man made in this city; and those with
whom ne conversed, and to whom he
made restitution, were satisfied that his
repentance was sincere. His character is
represented, by those who have known
aim for years, to be good and it must
have been genuine work of conscience
which made him confess that he secretly
deserved an opposite reputation. We
have the mans name and location, but
deem 1t improper to publish them, as it
would be wrong to engraft stigma on
the reputation of one who has, as above
described, acted SO honorably and exhib-
ited!proof of true repentance for past mis-
deeds. Concord ~. H. Patriot.