Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-02-22
A Novel Way to Reform Thief.
Jackson tTenn. } Sun.

Il certain PROMINENT grocery nrm IN
this city has been missing little articles
quite frequently of late and suspicion
fixed upon certain young man, who s
visited the store often in passing, occa-
sionally making small purchases. They
agreed to watch him the next time he
came in, one partner outside and one in
side. They tried in vain for three
weeks or more; still the articles disap-
peared, and the young man made his
visits; though he had never been seen
taking anything One day last week
the partner who was watching from the
outside pretended to be reading a news
paper and by looking over it caught
him in the act The inside partner col
Jared him and led him back to the rear
to counsel him.
Now said the merchant, you have
been stealing from me for several weeks
and ! want to know how much you
think you owe me? Be honest about
it; you have been both clerk and Gus
toner.
The young man stated the amount he
considered justly due, and was anxious
to pay it.
The merchant said, We'll, sir, you
know the law doesn't allow a man to
steal, and you must take your choice, to
pay me all you owe me and submit to Il
whipping. or 90 to the Penitentiary
Which will you do? You are young
and may be reformed, and [ don't want
to disgrace you publicly, but feel that
| would do a great wrong to. let you 60
without whipping to remind you of
it.
The young man said that he would re-
ceive the whipping and pay up; while he
appreciated the kind motives of the
merchant, he would like very much to
have the whipping omitted: The mer-
chant invited him to walk down in the
cellar and see what fine stock was
stored there When they reached the
bottom and the door was closed, the
young man said: m
You won't whip me, will you?'
The merchant said he certainly could
not do otherwise and satisfy his con-
science.
What are you going to whip me
WITH"
''That piece of board replied the
merchant, pointing to strip some
three inches wide.
Buck yourself across that chicken
coop and I'll do my solemn duty, young
man. It's a serious matter, and am
truly sorry to have to do it, but my con-
science requires it.
about minute that they mistook for
some one knocking the bung out of an
empty barrel, or splitting kindling. Af
ter ten good, hearty strokes, the mer-
chant let him up
How do you feel, young man.
Il feel very bad, sir; very sorry
Il, too, feel very sorry and bad, and l
think you had better get down on your
knees and ask God to forgive your sins.
The young man prayed feeling pray
er, and shed copious tears of repent
ance.
When he arose the merchant said,
How do you feel now?'
Awful" said the young man.
''Then. in order to impress this occa
sion on your mind, and that you may
never forget the cause of it, just bend
over that chicken coop again minute.
He bent over. and the sound of split
ting stoye-wood was heard again-ten
more.
Then when he got up he wanted to
cry, but the merchant insisted that it
was too serious case for that, and sug-
gested that he lead in prayer again.
The young man complied, and he had so
much improved in that style of compo-
sition that the merchant released him.
Now said he, you are a young
man. YOU are respectable. and move in
respectable circles; you have kind and
respectable parents; this would disgrace
you and them if made public; you have
submitted to the chastisement and re-
pented; pay me what you owe and go
your way as usual, leaving off dishones-
ty, and I'll not molest you" He went,
but he hasn't paid the money yet. This
style of reformation for young men
beats the Penitentiary. He did not
live in Jackson.