The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-05-10
Reforming a Thief.

A certain prominent grocery firm in
Ashton had been missing little articles
quite frequently, and suspicion fixed upon
certain young man who visited the store
occasionally. They agreed to watch him
the next time he came 10, one partner out
side and one inside. They tried in vain
for three weeks or more; still the articles
disappeared and the young man made his
visits; though he had not been seen tax
ing anything. One day the partner who
was watching from the outside, pretended
to be reading a newspaper, aud by looking
over it, caught him in the act. The inside
partner collared him aud 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 me2 Be honest about IT, you
have been both clerk and customer"
The young man stated the amount he
considered justly due, and was anxious to
pay it.
The merchant said, "Well, sir, you
know the law doesn't allow a man to steal,
aud you must take your choice, to pay me
all you owe me and submit TO a whipping,
or go to the penitcntiary. Which will
you do? You are young and may be re-
formed, and | don't want to disgrace you
publicly, but feel that would do great
wrong to let you go without whipping to
remind you of it. The young man said
he would receive 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 eel
lar aud sec what fine stock was stored
there. When they reached the bottom
and the door was closed, the young maj
said
"You won't whip me, will you"
The merchant said he certainly eoulC
not do otherwise and satisfy his conscience
"What are you going to whip me with ?
THAT piece Of board, replied the mer
chant, pointing to a strip some three in
ches wide.
"Buck yourself across the chickencoot
and I'll try to do my solemn duty, youn
man. It's a serious matter, and ar
truly sorry to have to do it, but my con
science requires me to do il.
The customers heard noise for abou
minute that they mistook for some on
knocking the bung out of an empty barre
or splitting kindling. After ten goo
hearty strokes the merchant let him W
GLOW do you feel now, young man p
II fele bad sir; very sorry
81, too, feel sorry and bad, and | thin
you had better get down on your knee
and ask God to forgive your sins"
The youngman prayed feeling praye
and shed copious tears Of repentance.
When he arose the merchant said "Ho
do you feel now?
awful, said the young man.
"Then, in order 10 impress this occasic
, on your mind, and that you may nev,
forget the cause of it, just bend over Il
, chicken-coop once again a minute"
He bent over, and the sound of spli
ting stoye-wood was heard again-tC
more.
Then when he got up he wanted to or
but the merchant insisted that it was t,
serious case for that, and suggested tn
9 he lead in prayer again. The young mi
! complied, and he had so much improv,
in that style of composition that the mt
chant released him.
"Now," said he "you are a young ma
you are respectable, and move in Yespet
able circles; you have kind and houoraL
parents; this would disgrace you and the
If made public, you have submitted to d
, chastisement and repented; pay me VIII
you owe and go your way as usual, lea
ing off dishonesty, and I'll not molcst you
He went. This style of reformation
young men beats the Penitentiary.