Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-09-17

longing to return to
the exciting experiences Of my profess
sion. During this time l had grown
somewhat stouter, and my counte-
nance had begun to assume kindly,
benevolent, well fed appearance. Nee
essarily l had grown trifie lazier.
Several times had almost decided to
return to my old methods of life, but
a certain inertia, undoubtedly bred and
nourished by my new existence of ease,
always prevented. I would keep de-
ferring the time until more conven-
lent period.
A genuine fear that would lose my
skill through lack Of practice OCCASION
ally tormented me, but each time
put 1t aside with the thought that my
profession was no longer an absolute
necessity. 1t did not mean bread and
butter to me us it did ut one time I
was full fedged butler, and could
secure good recommendation from
my master any time chose to leave.
Warned by my own experiences,
never let an opportunity pass to help
young man just starting on the
downward road to get back to the
main highway. never entertained
any serious thoughts of getting back
there myself. but hate to see others
straying from it.
Nevertheless I now found myself
slowly drifting back to an honest life.
This had been accomplished through
no choosing Of my own. Circumstances
again were responsible for this change.
did not make any resolves to remain
thus for any length of time-in fact, /
rather expected that the time would be
brief.
AS l just remarked, never liked to
see another, especially young man,
taking the downward road, and it was
this strange feeling that gave me
little worry and anxiety in my idle life
as butler for Mr.. Goddard. realized
that my master was leading double
life; that he was pursuing his burglary
tendencies Systematically and that he
was committing crime even while he
was making love to Miss Stetson. This
circumstance at first puzzled me; then
it worried and irritated and finally dis
gusted me. could not fathom its.
meaning. saw my own crime Illus
trated in him, in its true light, and 1t
positively made me ashamed of my
record. longed to speak of the mat
ter to him, but our peculiar relation
ship prevented it.
While sympathized with him for
the incurable disease which had al
ways cast blight over his young life,
soon learned to condemn him for his
rash folly. No man Of his position, in
telligence and opportunities in the
world had any business to stoop to
crime. In some cases necessity may
drive n man to the commission of a
theft and habit may later deaden his
conscience. but no such excuse could
be held out for my master.
He was either bad at heart, II Grim
inal by instinct, or he had n weak will
that had been perverted by others
when young and uniformed. In every
thing else he seemed model of
strength, self command and intelli-
gence. Why should he be so helpless
in this respect?
Since that first memorable meeting
at the dead of night in the Stetson
mansion no word or sign had ever
| passed between us which indicated
that we knew anything Of the others
criminal tendencies. Out of sense of
honor kept my part Of the agreement,
and for some reason he remained I'M
communicative about the subject. New
ertheless l longed to break the ice be-
tween us. If could once more meet
him when robbing house, would
have the liberty to speak, and / would
not again bind myself to silence
Admiration for his skill, love for
him as man when not engaged In his
professional work and certain dis
gust at his deceptive, double existence
produced strangely conflicting emo.
lions in me. At times felt that his
crime should be atoned for and that if
he should ever attempt to marry Miss
Stetson would reveal all knew to
her. Gradually his moral disease
seemed more terrible to me than his
physical. AS leper he was suffering
for the sins Of another, but as crimi
nal he was pursuing dangers and
pleasures of his own free will which
in time would entail suffering upon
others.
A wave Of moral reform swept ovel
me for time and possessed me sc
completely that decided to make
amends for my past deeds by trying
to convert my master from his evi
ways. If could accomplish this
should feel that my life had not beer
spent In vain.
Meanwhile lived In the fear that h,
would be discovered. knew from tn,
reports that somebody was conducting
systematic series Of burglarles in tn,
neighborhood, and did not hesitate
to attach the blame to my master. De
tectives We're constantly prowlin,
1