The sun., 1891-02-16
Robinson to His Former Friends.


:nilitia in full operation.
Robinson to His Former Friends.
Brockton, in Massachusetts,. had verlta-
bio sensation last week, and the Inhabitants
have since been 30 greatly stirred In conse-
quence as to recall the episode OF the spook
who, surcharged with Medford rum, scam
dalized tho quiet old town In 1871. Tho Bos-
ton Herald, journal inclined to be placid,
thus speaks OF the matter:
"Ths ereatest excitement aginaols prevails in the
city concerning EosSsoS's statement, and Rronps Of
men with whom he has had bnsiness connections can
be seen oongroeatod in public places discussing the
matter In fact more interest is manifested In tho
received from ROBINSON to day than when he dis
appeared thrcs months azo torasr and embsxxsr to
the extent OF s2oooOo."
Mr.. RoB1NsoNs statement Is indeed a
singular document. 1t Is essentially and
Enthusiastically a Massachusetts produc-
tiou. and 1t is not Mt all remarkable that 1t
should have caused 1.-The greatest excite
mcnt imaginable" in Brockton. It might
reasonably be supposed that RoB1NsoN's
stntcment would contain, In detail. an ac-
count Of his present Indebtedness and some
proffer Of composition, sent in the form OF
communication to somo resident Of Brock
ton, from wherever he might be at tho timo
OF writing. Business. however, Is not trans
acted on this basis, or upon such plan, In
Plymouth county. True to the record
and traditions of the locality. RoB1SsoN's
statement is devoid Of commercial value. but
replete with philosophical reflections. He ad-
dresses 1t ITO My Former Friends in Brock
tom" and carefully reirains from tho use of
tho figures OF arithmetic, substituting In
their stead the figures Of speech. There is
neither date nor an address to his letter,
nor was it sent to any ono In particular.
My dishonesty aud my downfall" writes
Mr.. ROBINSON, "are with some truth at
tributable to speculation. Tho conclusion
naturally following is that entered upon
such course for the purpose OF beneflting
myself"
Worldly and eordid considerations OF that
sort have been known to affect the actions
of individuals. and evidence Of their exist
ence In New England is not altogether want
ing. Hence the logical conclusion which
ROBINSON mentions. namely, that he became
a defaulter to the extent OF 500, 900 with the
primary design OF benefiting himself. is
not altogether irrational. With great skill
and adroitness, however, ROBINSON, who is
apprchensive lest this view OF his actions
might prevail among New Englanders. COM
bats 1t vigorously. ut is," he says, "cited
in proof Of my utter depravity. that, after
discovery and condonement. I continued.
That la true, and with 1t was guilty Of the
most atrocious lying. To those who exclaim
upon such course and are inclined to call
mo fool as we'll as knave, l will say this:
Ny plans were we'll laid. The unexpected
happened"
There Is considerable ingenuity in the
moralizing OF ROBINSON. but it Is much to
be feared that it will be entirely thrown
away upon his Brockton creditors. whose
lively memory o! tho $200, 900 lost will not
he assuaged by this encouraging bulletin:
fmy life and health is spared shall at least con.
vince those who have lost By that am sincere In
my Intentions"
Much OF RoDINsoN's statement ls devoted
to rhetorical coniectures. "No doubt" he
says, my dishonest words and acts
have led many to think me rascal from
choice" This erroneous view ROBINSON
cumbats sternly, and he consoles the Brock
ton creditors with clear proc: Of the fact
that, viewed logically their losses are to be
attributed rather to spasmodic weakness on
his part than to any congcnital dcpravity.
Ho adds that Notwithstanding the first
impression given ont, l think none of my
customers can claim to have lost by the
disaster by me. say this noting the course
OF events sincc."
The idea OF RoBINsoN's Brockton GUS
toners claiming to have lost by his depart
uro when. rs ho explains to thcm, they nre
really better sn than had hc remained In
Brockton, is essentially humorous, and It's
enjoyment By tho creditors is to be further
enhanced by this dcit tribute to New Eng
lunG sentiments md traditions. II was
anxious" remarks ROBINSON, "to avert
disclosure to save friends and comrades, to
prevent tho moral shock 10 tho community"
With marked disintcrestedness, 1t ap-
pears. ho weighed tho two alternatives:
shock tn tho moral sense Of Brockton and
financial loss to his customers. Hc selected
tho latter as tho lesser owl. but he did SO
only under compulsion and exceptional! cir
cumstanccs, for he says:
MY rtiepds reed not fear ria, { shall attempt 10
atone for past wrongs by further ones: the oas IN
Mu Tine Is lost. not TO 10 renewed"
Tho value OF this declaration Is much
diminished by RoDINsON's failure to state
lis whereabouts. That his heart is still In
New England is evident from Ills indirect
allusion to his public services. either as con-
stable or Select,nun. for hc Snys: II have no
wish to ova,lc tto law which have. In q
small way. had something to do with onforc-
ing" This touching ulusion to his past SER
vices might well. in the total absence OF
either fuels or ilgurcs in his philosophical
statement. close 1t appropriately. but he pro-
crcis to climax less personal and far more
general In its application:
up from broksn ways and deeds are sometimes
bull, results beneaccnt usyond any calculation Of ours"
Possibly 1t Is due to tho failure Of tho i'll
hnbitants and consplcuously tho ROBINSON