The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-04-04
REFORMING A THIEF.
4 NaNrl Methed Pat Ia .BNecaIion by
Tennessee fterchant.

A SaNrt Method Pat Ia Execution by "a
Tennessee Merchant.
A certain prominent grocery firm ia
this city had been missing little articles
quite frequently of iate, and suspicion
! fixed upon certain young man, who
+ visited the store often IN passing, occa-
T sionally making small purchases. They
agreed 10 watch him the next time lac
4 came in, one partner outside aud one IN
/ side. They tried in vain for three weeks
+ or more stiil the articles disappeared
I and the Young man made his visits
/ though lac had never been seen taking
ANYTHING. One day last week the part
ner who WAS watching from the outside,
pretended 10 ba reading a newspaper,
aud by looking over il, caught HIM in
I the act The inside partner collared
| him and led him back 20 the rear 10
/ counsel him.
Now" said the merchant, "you
have been stealing from me for several
weeks, and want 10 know how much
YOU think you owe me2 BE honest
about il yon have oeen both clerk and
customer.
I The Young man stated the amount he
considered justly due, and was anxious 10
pay It.
The merchant sand "Well, sir, you
know the law doesn't allow man 10
steal. and YOU must take your choice.
10 pay me all Won owe me and submit
10 whipping, or 60 10 the penitenuary.
Which viii You do? Iou are young and
may be reformed, and / don't want 10
disgrace you publicly. but feel that /
would do "A great wrong to let YOU 60
without a whipping 10 remind you Of u,
The young man said he would receive
the whipping and pay up while be APP
prtciAtei the kind motives of the mcr.
chant he would like very much to have
the whipping omitted. The merchant
invited him 10 walk down in the cellar
ami see what fine stock was stored
there. When they reached the bottom
and the door WAS closed, tho young man
said
Yuu won't whip me, will you ?"
The merchant said me- certainly could
not DO otherwise and satisfy his con
science.
What are you going 10 whip me
with ?"
THAT piece Of board" replied the
merchant, pointing 10 strip some three
inches wide.
Buck yourself across that chicken
coop, and I'll DO my solemn duty. young
man. It's serious matter, and am
truly sorry to have 10 DO il, but my con
science requires II.
The customers heard a noise for about
a minute that they mistook for some one
knocking the bung out Of An empty
barrel. or splitting kindling, After ten
good. hearty strokes the merchant let
him up.
How DO YOU feel now, young man p
~ feel very bad, sir very sorry"
~. too, feel sorry and bad, and
think you had better get down on your
knees, and ask God tu forgive your
sins. g
The young man prayed a feeling
PRAYER, and she'd cUpious tears Of repent
ance
When he arose the merchant said;
How DO you feel nov p
Awful, Z" said the Young man.
"Then, in order 90 impress this oc-
casion on your mind, and that you may
never forget the cause of II, just bend
over that chicken-coOp again IA minute.
He bent over. and the sound Of split
ting stOye-wood was heard AgaiR-ten
more.
Then when he got up he wanted 10
cry, but the merchant insisted that It
was too serious matter for that, and
suggested that he lead in prayer again.
The young man complied, aud he had
50 much improved in that style OF com
position that the merchant released him.
Now, said he. lyon are young
man, you are respectable, and move in
respectable circles; you have kind and
honorable parents; this would disgrace
you and them if made public; you have
submitted to the chRstisement and re-
peuted; pay me what you owe and 60
your way as usual, leaving off dishonesty,
and I'll not molest you. He went, but
be hasn't paid the money yet. This
style Of reformation for young men beats
the penitentiary. He did not live in
Jackson. jackson (ficnn) sun.