Huntsville gazette., 1881-11-19
The First Step.

- - tilo HTSI Step tnat costs, aS CaSn-
Ter Baldwin, who made away with two
millions of money with which he was
entrusted, now realizes. lie was no less
thief when, twelve years ago, he COM
mltted his first offense than now that he
mas carried ruin to his best friends and
dlSgrace to his wife and children. There
Is nothing much new in his crime. He
fell as many others have fallen before
him. The story is an old one, but it
| needs to be told over and over again. A
life commenced in honor ends in eternal
disgrace. There is no repairing the
ruin wrought. So complete and shame
full is it that one feels like averting his
eyes from the sad sight. And yet it is
well to study it, for the same reasons
that physicians dissect repulsive cadav-
ers. Perhaps some other life may be
saved by searching autopsy.
The frantic utterances of this man
when discovery came and confession
was unavoidable show that his moral
nature, however weakened, was not
dead. Conscience had been constantly
making protests from his first outrage
upon it. 1t doubtless grew weaker and
weaker, but the still, small voice was
heard even up to the hour when the
crash came. Then it changed to roar
of remorse. Then the scorpion stings
of shame added their pitiless punish
ment. Then the moral nature of the
man, SO long tortured, arose at last
in indignant fury. Alas, poor wretch!
What to him are millions nowp As
he writhes in his agony, and begs for
the severest punishment, it is evident
that he Graves it as some surcease from
bitter anguish and pain sharper than
the law can infiict. What life has this
man led for twelve years. No hunted
hare, by hounds and horn pursued, has
felt keener terror. Sleeping or waking,
there was no rest for him, ever dread
ing to hear the awful word ssthief !"
shouted in his ear. Though he walked
upright he was ever skulking. Over his
shoulder was ever peering the stern eye
of justice. 1t followed him to his pew
in church and glared at him. 1t OBJ
truded into his home and thrust itself
into his family circle. 1t poisoned every
pleasure, marred every joy, darkened
every day, embittered every night.
Twist and turn as he might, he could
not escape it. Disguise was unavailing.
There was no mask to hide him from
himself. At last his sin has found him
out. No doubt this is..a yelifff TO biRQ1o i1R1Qo
agony of suspense is over. The torture
Of apprehension has ended. There are
no more thongs to be attached to the
whip of conscience. The wretched man
throws down at last load under which
he has staggered for twelve years, and
which hourly grew heavier. That which
remains is lighter, though he must bear
it to his grave.
The history of Baldwin's crime is that
of most other great embezzlements and
defalcations. To hide and repair the
first peculation another is ventured on,
and another. The deluded victim fol-
lows a will-o'- '-the-wisp until he sinks
hopeless and helpless in the mire. The
first step costs, because it seems to make
necessary the second and the last. The
weakness which induces the first COM
pels all others. Few men have courage
to turn short about in their tracks. Bit
terly now does this man, begging for
the Penitentiary to hide him from his
friends, his family and the world, regret
that he did not resolutely retrace that
first step at whatever cost. Many of the
great defalcations of public officers oc-
cur just as has this at Newark. The
custodian of trust funds who touches a
donar is in danger. There is no safety
after that. Great defalcations are pre-
ceded by small peculations, as safe
blowing is by till-tapping. The stock
and grain markets, as at present man.
aged, are responsible often for the sec
ond step and final fall, in that they hold
out hope Of sudden and great gains by
gambling on margins. This doubtless
lured Baldwin on to his ruin. kilograms
say "he was man of unimpeachable
character and high reputation" As he
stands detected and abject amid the
wreck and ruin he has made. he is a
warning to many who have yet to learn
that sit is the first step that costs. -
indianapolis Journal.