The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-09-21
FORCED TO CONFESS.
CONSCIENCE STRICKEN CRIMINALS
WHO COULDN'T KEEP SILENT.

"
Remarkable Instances Of AeknowI.
edgment of Guilt by Persons Who
Were Not Suspected q Danger That
Exists For All wrongdoers.
"He went to the authorities and told
the story Of his crime quite In spite Of
himself. His conscience proved too
strong for him, and, though there was no
risk Of the police tracking him, It COM
PEELED him to give himself up"
So observed a Judge In a sensational
murder trial. The criminal had escaped.
He was not even suspected, and he had
plenty of money. Everything was in
readiness for his departure to q distant
land where he had bought comfortable
business. But on the very eve of his 60.
ing, on the way home from saying good.
by to some friends. his conscience played
him false, and the conviction seized upon
him that he must confess. This danger
exists for all wrongdoers.
A painful impression was produced in
big country town year or two back by
a voluntary confession made by one Of
its most respected inhabitants. From
being small shopkeeper he had risen to
accumulate wealth. and browning honor
seemed to have been bestowed upon him
when he was elected to a high local Office.
Instead it in a way proved his undoing.
He had something on his mind, and now,
feeling himself to be unworthy of the
good fortune that had come to him, he
felt bound to unburden himself.
He accordingly went to the proprietor
OF local newspaper, intending to ar
range for the printing Of a confession.
That gentleman, astounded at the 9th
er's seeming madness in unnecessarily
branding himself, refused to insert the
matter. But the man was not to be
thwarted. He called a meeting together
and there calmly announced that he had
originally started in business with cap
ital that had been stolen. Naturally he
thus did himself immense harm, but he
had the satisfaction of being at peace
with his conscience.
In big London establishment strange
scene was recently enacted. A lady and
gentleman alighted from a carriage and,
entering, inquired for a certain depart
ment. Seated at the counter, the pair
were inspecting some goods when, look
ing round, the lady turned pale.
"Have-have you made any alterations
in your premises since few years ago."
she asked of the assistant.
Eyes, madam" answered he. 'This
used to be the book department"
The lady seemed about to faint Her
husband was greatly alarmed.
Don't stop me. Send for the man
ager," directed the distressed woman.
When that surprised individual ap-
peared, the lady told him how some time
before she had on three separate days
stolen books from the counters there.
She claimed down when permitted to pay
for the volumes and to contribute double
their value to the provident fund Of the
firm.
One Of the most dramatic confessions
ever made occurred in Australia in a
church during a service on New Years
eve. Some years previously an old farm
er known to carry much money on his
person had been murdered on that very
day, and a certain minister, who had
been a lifelong friend of his, always on
the anniversary of the dark deed made
some public allusion to the happening.
On this occasion. to the horror of the
congregation. when the death of the old
man was referred to an individual sit
ting In the midst of the people gave a
sudden cry and, rising to his feet, said
solemnly and distinctly, 81 killed him."
On the matter being investigated this
turned out to be true. The man was one
Of a number who had been employed to
search for the missing farmer. He found
him partially stunned by fall and was
tempted to rob him, knowing that the
deed would be attributed to others. The
old man, however, regained his senses, a
fierce struggle ensued. and the farmer
was slain. The murderer had never
troubled at all about the affair. But the
young woman to whom he was engaged
persuaded him on this night at the end
Of the year to go to church, and it was
there that his conscience got the better Of
him.
People come In here and confess to all
sorts of things" explained a police sta
ton official. MANY of those COMES
sions' are false, more particularly those
made under the influence of drink.
knew Of one woman who whenever she
had INDUCED too freely would come in
shedding copious tears and accuse her
self Of having thrown q neighbours child
into canal.
Zone man confessed first and committed
the deed afterward. Very unsteadily he
walked In and said he gave himself up
for smashing a big plate glass window.
The charge proved a false one. but the
next day he was brought in sober, having
been caught in the act Of breaking
large window Of a Diapers shop. On
her might out young servant girl once
came timidly just inside the door and
asked to be taken up for poisoning a cat"
The Misrepresentation by a certain So
hcitor of the trust money of his clients
was brought to light in a most extraor-
binary manner. The man had very clev-
erly stolen thousands Of pounds. and only
at his death would the fact have become
known. He entertained very extensively
and was usually light hearted host.
One evening, however, he had strange
depression Of spirits. He told his wife
he must 60 to his room or he should be
compelled to say something that would
ruin him. He departed. and his wife was
doing her best to make up for his abb
sence when, pale and shaking. the unfor-
tunate man stalked into the room.
Addressing his wondering guests, he
said: Il can keep it to myself no longer.
This house, my horses and carriages. the
wine you have been drinking, everything
has been bought with money that have
stolen from those who pat their trust in
me-" His conscience had blurted out the
fatal truth, and he was a ruined man.
Casselrs Saturday journal.