The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-01-24
From Mclean G0urgey.
ISLAND STATION, Jan. IL I

He has not returned vet, owing 10
the decline in the market, and it is
feared he viii be loser.
DIR. w. p. Bennett has been quite
sick, but is recovering. lie Was able
TO fill his appointment at Union, last
sabbath.
Circuit court is in session at Gal
boon. And it is atty ing time to some
of the young men who have departed
from the paths Of rcctituie, The
Shelton boys who committed the ex.
press robbery at Rilcy's station were
sentenced TO the pcnitentiary for the
term of two years. Tol0ert Tichcnor,
who rumor SAYS, broke into :. W.
AnderSon's store at Ceralvo, some time
ago, was also sent to the same place.
for stealing clothes. But here Is the
sadicSt case yet. Mr.. T. :. Comm.
ton, a young man of great promise
and a teacher of some ability, but led
of by the love Of money % !, ,vu-
fenced to serve in the same house one
year. As many OF your readers have
heard something of this affair, they
would doubtless be interested in 4
brief history Of the care, which is as
follows:
Last tall, Mr.. Compton came to
this part Of the county in search of Il
school, bringing good recommends
tions and presenting quite Il favorable
appearance, soon made 4 contract
with Mr.. KarneS, trustee of West
Station district lie Immediately
took up board at Hon. II. T.. Hum
phreys' where he, by his gentlcmanly
conduct gained the enlire confidence
of all and was treated and trusted
as a member of the family
Nor was he less esteemed by his pa
irons and aCquaintances generally.
He wished to borrow money. Mr..
Humphrey and others were ready To
loan to him, which they did. Thus
did things continue until about a week
before Christmas. Instead Of retiring
ut the usual hour at night, MIR.
Compton sat up late, saying that he
had been sleeping too much. lie was
also up during the night, saying he
WAS not well. Once on returning to
his room, he came whisiling, which
was very uncommon for him at any
time. However, bat little was
thought of his actions at the time.
But next morning, Mr.. Humphreys
trunk, which contained about seventy
dollars in money and many other val
liable papers was missing. He, in ie.t,
calls to Mr.. Compton to know what he
had done with it. To which he in anger.
asks, You don't accuse me of tax
ing your trunk, do you ?" ooh no I.
no y replied Mr.. Humphrey, "hut it
is gone" And altough, - says he, 81
would then have fought for him. his
looks and actions betrayed him, and led
me to believe that he was guilty. &"
Besides making contradictory state
ments, he came to breakfast without
washing or combing. Saws Mrs.
Humphrey, "his very countenance
showed guilt. But he went to school,
and Mr.. Humphrey went to track the
robber, whose tracks, plain after the
shower that fell in the early part OF
the night, led past the Station, and
were then tracable no further. He
returned with a measure of the track
which corresponded with his own
boots, which showed from the mud
that they had been worn during the
night. He next found his trunk at
the edge of the farm directly opposite
from where the tracks were made.
Rut Notwithstanding the strange sus.
piciOn, nothing more was done at the
time, than to cause Mr.. Compton to
hunt new boarding house, which he
found at Mr.. Karnes, continuing his
school with few scholars until the
grand jury, which found an indict-
ment against HIM. when falling to give
bail, was confined in jail to await his
trial which came off Friday and Sat
urday last. In the meantime, letters
were obtained from parties in Illinois
where Compton was raised, stating
that he was of an excellent family, but
had fled from justice about year
since, previous to which, his character
was blamelcss. 4 letter from his
heart-broken mother, was read in court
pleading for mercy, yet asking that
Justice be done to all. Oh! how great
the contrast! He once had home,
and friends! Once had honor and rep
ltation! Once hope and happiness
cheered his breast! But now all are
gone. Without a home, without
friends, he becomes an Outcast. With
ont hope or happiness, his life becomes
and future life Il dread.
In conclusion dear young reader,
should you ever be tempted TO de-
part from rectitude, think how this UNI
fortunate youth bartered his welfare
md happiness for a trihe. An impor-
amt lesson may be learned from his
'ad experience. MEMO.