Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-05-31

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desperate and dangerous outlaws as
were ever at large in New England.
/ To them il was no disgrace but rather
an achievement to be proud OF. They
are pitied for their moral frailty, but
punishment as laid down by the plain
cold law is the only one they will eX-
perience. Conscience viii not be
/ there.
How different from this is the case
of Farrar and MUssey, men of the most
refined instincts, who until they took
that fatal step in vain endeaYor to
right one wrong by the committing OF
another one had enjoyed the respect OF
the people as honest, law-abiding citl-
zens. Their first mistake led them
from one extreme to the other and be-
fore they could realize the magnitude
of their offence they were branded
before the world as criminals. This
in itself was their greatest punishment
beside which a sentence of six or seven
years in prison is matter of little
consequence.
The story is an old one but it has
not been brought home to Nermonters
so forcibly before. Let us hope that
it may be a warning to others that
wealth is not gained in a moment and
that gambling with other peoples
money is a business to be Stunned as
a leper.- Barre Telegram.
The esteemed Telegram speaks in
accordance with the sentiments of
many people, whose tender hearts are
grieved at the sight of two promising
young men going to felons' cells. 1t
is a sad sight, No wreck is half so
deplorable as the wreck of n human
life, and perhaps a soul.
There are other sad sights, however,
than this one. We cannot for a mo-
ment endorse the contrast which the
Telegram seeks to draw between these
two detaulters and the Shaws, or, while
the one, take satisfaction in
the other.
Just recall the facts. Here are two
bank cashiers, sought out from "a null
titude of young men because OF their
integrity and intelligence.
They are men Of excellent families,
reared in good Christian homes, sur
rounded by the best Of influences.
They are drawing nice salaries, too,
and there Is no urgent call for money
that they cannot honestly supply.
They stand well in the community,
wear good clothes, have hosts OF
friends and a career Of promise is be-
fore them. But the sight of money
iazzles them. They are not getting
'ich fast enough. Though they han
lie thousands, but a 1.-THE OF it is their
,wn. In small way at first, probably |
With their own capital, they indulge |
n stock speculation. If they win, they |
Ire tempted to 90 further. Ifthey lose,
heir losses must be met. In either |
vent, it is but a step to the vaults and |
he step is soon taken. Then ensues |
/ period of peculation and speculation,
asting several years, until discovery |
ONES Denial is impossible, so
lean breast is made. Following the
rst outburst. a tide of sympathy pours |
n to the unfortunate Il is fire.
uently said that "others were more
o blame than he" Bouquets and
messages come in endless procession
rom the ladies. "He is such a dear,
-ood boy that it is a shame he must 20
o prison and be compelled to associ-
tie with common criminals" At trial.
e throws himselfon the courts mercy,
lis lawyer makes a tender plea and he
.ets a short sentence, without labor"
Before even this sentence is fulfilled,
lie is pardoned and friends stand
eady to furnish him with respectable
Employment.
Now turn to the case of the Shaws.
hey are used by the Telegram to illus
rate the habitual criminal class.
hey come from poor, hard-working
antilles, that have to struggle for
ally bread. Their home is not
'hristian home, and has nothing but
vii influences. They begin to steal
arly, as an easier way of acquiring
property than earningit. Their habits,
heir associations, are vile. They are
hunned by the good and fall further
nd further into degradation, until,
yhen their arrest for petty thieying
ONES, they have nothing in life worth
wing Tor. Like any prisoner, when
.iered an opportunity, they break Jail.
accustomed to the rifle, they procure