St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-03-21
The National Conscience Fund.

Few persons are aware of the fact that
| Uncle Sam conducts at his capital pub
| lie non-sectarian confessional for those
who have robbed him at various times,
but who have later grown penitent.
This interesting institution is branch
of the treasury department. Thousands
of dollars are being received through it
each year. The largest item he has yet
received came lately from London. Our
consul-geperal in that city transmitted a
draft for $14, 225.15, paid to him in Eng
lish money by Rev. Prebendary Barff,
vicar of St. Giles church, Cripplegate,
London. The sum was intrusted to the
latter by person declining to disclose
his identity, but who intimated that he
had come into its possession by defraud-
ing our government. 1t was somewhat
coincidental that shortly after this de-
post another penitent sinnersent to the
treasury one cent, the smallest sum ever
received.
Some amusing letters accompany recent
deposits of this class. A Chicago man
writes: Some years ago.I took a small
apple tree from the government orchard
at Fort Sheridan, and, wishing to make
compensation for the same, l enclose 81
in stamps" From Springfield, Mass,
was received shortly afterward single
two.cent stamp wrapped in a scrap of
paper, inscribed, "For the conscience
fund" A small sheet with mourning
border reads: Account of unpaid
duties. Acknowledge receipt upon in
closed postal card" Two hundred dol
lars was inclosed. Another letter saws:
Enclosed please find Is cents to be ap-
piled on conscience fund" Secretary
Gage was recently handed an envelope
marked private" Tearing it open, he
found smaller envelope bearing the
two words Conscience money" and
containing 5000. An anonymous writer
from New Waterford, O., makes this re-
markable confession: while in the
army, in 1868, at one time, when there
was bread being distributed, l managed
to get two loaves when suppose it was
intended for each person to have only
one; therefore, in order to satisfy a re-
proving conscience, remit 81. which
suppose will cover the amount with COM
pound interest, which please drop in the
treasury"
AuICS tuOuSduu uOlldTS was accom-
panied by the following note, lately post
marked New York city: "The inclosed
belongs to the United States treasury.
Conscience demands its return. God
knows the name and the SIM" From
Norris City, ILL.,, parent sends So duty
upon his child's watch, bought in Canada
for SIS. II have no way OF knowing
what the duty is" he adds, 'but l hope
the above amount will be sufficient to
cover the matter"
A poetical government employee in Alex
andria, Ind, contributed this
Too much pay
This month of May.
He signs his name and incloses $40.
President Mckinley a few weeks ago
received So in a letter signed Unhappy
Penitent." This writer gives assurance
that he will send more to give peace to
his tortured conscience" 1.-The act," he
adds, with reference to a defalcation,
was committed in childhood. Remorse
has taken hold upon me and l cannot
rest" A Clover (Va.) citizen sends four
cents to cover value of stamps which he
had long ago taken off letters not
marked. Please forgive" he concludes.
Springfield Republican.