Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-07
JOHN II. TELLER's REPENTANCE.
The Confession of a Factory Time Keeper
Whose Conscience SntOte Him.
New York Star.

whose COH0CtcHC6 0UsOt6 htUes
New York Star.
The furniture factory firm of POTTER d
Stymus of Forty-second street and Licking
ton avenue, hired John +. Teller as time
keeper. The position at one time was worth
something, but it had become merely nomi-
nal one and the salary attached was under
80 week. The ingenious Teller, how
ever, hit upon plan to overcome the diff
Guilty of small pay. He made out list of
those employed in the factory and added a
number of supposititious workmen, whose
salaries he faithfully drew every Saturday.
By this means he embezzled $1,000. The
firm, it seems, never detected the deceit that
was being practiced upon them. One day
Teller's conscience smote him. His mind
was filled with his approaching marriage,
and he sought to purge himself of the crime
that was sure to be detected some day.
He told two foremen in the factory who were
in collision with him, and who had received
the largest share of his stealings, of his in
tention to cease his speculations. They said
they would put the whole thing upon him if
he stopped, and he was frightened into con-
thinning the robberies short time longer.
Finally he gave way to his feelings and
told the firm all. They were astounded that
such a system of fraud should be 80 sue
cessfully carried on. Teller confessed that
he was not alone In the scheme, but when
urged to give the name of his accomplices,
he refused to act the part of informer. The
firm promised him immunity from arrest or
imprisonment if he would tell all. An ar
rangement was entered into whereby Teller
would meet the firm and talk the matter
over, but instead of discussion q detective
was in waiting and Teller was arrested.
Yesterday morning he was taken before
Justice Duffy at the Yorkville court, where
Mr.. Potter made one special charge against
him of obtaining $21. rs paid to one "Sodin,' -
fictitious workman who was in the time
keepers book as one of the employees. He
was held in ST. 900 for embezzlement.
In conversation with the prisoner the re-
| porter learned that he was employed in one
| of the departments of Ridley's store about
two and half years ago, and shortly after
| went to POTTER & Stymus. That firm then
cut wages down very low. "My salary"
| said Teller, "was placed at 81. Two of the
+ foremen then proposed the plan to re-im-
burse themselves and they got the largest
5uaro VI us LnOuey. Az LlueS ueou6u Iu6
money very much, at other times I did not.
On these latter occasions I have paid my
| salary out to other men who were "docked''
SO much that very little salary was lett them.
A few weeks ago I needed money very
badly. My mother died and took this
money to defray the funeral expenses.
The firm are to blame for having reduced
| the salaries 30 low that it was impos-
| sible to live. When I thought of my sweet
heart resolved to stop stealing. 1 loved her
and hoped to make her my wife, but could
not think of such thing until I was clear
of wrongdoing. 1 told my accomplices and
they threatened to expose me and put all the
blame on me. For the past six months
have suffered the greatest agony. scarcely
slept night from brooding over the wrong
had done and how could get clear of it.
Finally confessed to the firm, and found
great relief in doing so, and when they
promised to do something for me, l hoped
again to lead an honest life. But now all
my hopes are blasted, and she, too, will now
turn against me. But it is better that it
should come now than when she was my
vifa 40