The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-15

had borrowed lay before me, but it would
not liquidate tenth of my liabilities.
gathered it up, and with savage despera.
tion went to the gaming table, hoping to
win enough to clear me of the creditors
that pressed me SO necessarily. Need ]
say was unlucky, and lost every penny
possessed.
''Now I had no alternative but to 60 to
prison. Looking out of my" window,
coachman was dressed in livery, the
horses were sleek and well fed, and
was almost starving, and my vile and
child suffered from the pangs of hunger
also. Then 1t was that demon whis
pered in my ear that many persons were
reveling in riches who ought to spare me
little. That had just right to por-
| ton of their wealth, that the wealthy
ought to contribute to the necessities oi
| the poor, and that as entreaty had failed
to bring me relief, would be justified in
using force. Ahl what pernicious senti-
menus come into ones mind when
gOaded by desperation. knew that
,, something must be done, and Instantly
When l gazed upon my wife and child
the deepest remOrse smote my heart. ]
had a relative who resided in neigh.
boring city. He was wealthy, but very
penurious. In no case could l hope to
get relief from him. He shut his heart
against the cries and supplications Of
distress, and was always a hard-hearted
man. In my misery the one for sup.
pose it must have been him) whispered
in my ear, Rob those who have means,
tits no sin, though it may be contrary to
human law
GAS soon as this idea got possession Of
me, resolved upon a plan to obtain
money. l went to my wife with lie. ]
told her was going to my rich relative,
extremity. Before starting borrowed a
little money with which purchased q
wig. pair of false wh1skers, and some
coarse clothing to disguise my person. l
loaded my pistols and put them in my
pocket. The next morning started on
my way. When l got into the country, !
took off my clothes, and hiding them in
the woods, arrayed myself in my dis
guise. l had not gone far when l en-.
countered farmer walking at a rapid
pace. At once L presented pistol to
his head and demanded his money. To
tell you the truth, was almost as mucn
alarmed as himself. He told me he had
just been borrowing money to save him.
III
to be sold, and he was in dispair. Ii
took his money he would die In prison,
and his family would be compelled to 90
to the poor-house. He begged piteously
that would have mercy upon him. My
heart was touched, but what could ]
do?
/ "'How much have you on your per.
sonY demanded.
"'Two hundred pounds he replied.
"Give me twenty, and consider it a
loan. Some day l Will return it with in
terest.'
"He obeyed instantly, and seemed
overjoyed at my generosity. AS soon as
he was out of sight l ran through the
woods, threw OFT my disguise, and dress
ing my SELF in my old clothes, fed as fast
as possible. The wig and whiskers de-
stroyed, the coarse clothing L left on a
coming along and finding them, put
them on. The same day he was arrested,
for the farmer had given information OF
the highway robbery. The poor fellow
was sent to prison and subsequently
tried. He came very near being sem
renced to transportation tor life.
"The proceeds of the robbery enabled
me to reach America with my wife and
child. Before setting out, however, 1
learned the name and address of my VIC
tim. 1t wasn't o difficult matter, for all
the newspapers had notice OF the af-
fair.
sFortune favored me here. 1 made
money fast, and by strictly, honest
means. The farmer robbed died soon
after my arrival in this country; but I
sent the twenty pounds, with interest,
to his son. A good clergyman con-
Quoted the matter for me, and sent me
the mans receipt. Then, for the first
time, my mind felt happier.
"'Now, my dear sir,' continued Ga
non, 'how much of your esteem have
lost? You never can give me your en-
tire confidence and respect, since you
have heard my story. You wonder why
l tell it to you. Sometimes l am COM
PEELED to rehearse 1t. l can no more
help it than can breathing. The words
shame. Herein is my punishment. You
are not the only friend who has listened
to the tale of crime l have repeated.
Scores of people have heard it, and
many more are yet to listen to it,
HE ceased speaking and gazed into
my eyes, o,
justify your crime; but considering the
circumstances in which you were placed,
1 hardly wonder at the act you commit
ted. Your nervous temperament and
dreamy nature would be almost certain
to lead you into some such brigand-like
acts. Forget, If you can, that possess
your secret, and be sure that you have
my esteem and contidepce as full and
unimpaired as ever you did.
''He smiled in his own way, and press.
ing my hand, bid me good bye. Ralph
Canon still lives, and does much good
among his fellow-men."
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