Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-06-20
A Swift
Repentance

termlned TO avail myself OF my oppOr-
tunities to rifle the safe and skip out.
Between the 4th and 11th of Septem-
Der arranged the details for my flight
and concluded to work them out on the
night Of the 18th. On that evening
at half past . the night watchman no.
titled me that his wife had died. ex-
cused him from watching that night.
At o'clock l went to the bank,
pulled down the shades, lighted the
gas and in the course of twenty min
utes had packed every dollar in the
vaults into satchel provided for the
purpose. This satchel l placed on
chair outside the railing and had sat
down for a smoke when there was
rap at the door knew it was one of
our force, but hardly expected to see
the president himself
II expected 1t was you," he said as
he entered; always the last to go.
You are working too hard aud must
take a rest. AT a meeting of the board
today it was decided to give you a
months leave and gift Of $500 cash."
l don't remember what l said in re-
ply, but do remember that something
like horror seized upon me at the Idea
of my own baseness. Right here with
in reach Of his hand was the money l
intended to fee with, and yet he was
lavish in his praise Of my integrity.
He remained only a brief time, and
soon after his departure l went outside
to walk about and plan a little. I
hadn't given up the idea of robbery
and flight, but still, small voice was
whispering to me when hand was
laid on my arm, and l turned to con-
front the leading merchant of the town.
Look here" he said as we walked
along arm in arm, 1--WE always done
business with Gleason because l found
everything all right, but I'm going to
begin with you tomorrow. Gleason is
as good as gold himself, but l don't
fancy his new cashier. He's high
roller hear, and some day he may
turn up missing with all the Doodle he
can carry. No fear of that in your
case"
And had $107, 900 all packed up and
uo ouiJ Ndlllh5 lol llulh llhlC " pC-
come a robber.
Everybody Is speaking in your
praise" he continued, "and you de-
serve all that is said. Just keep level
head and you'll find the road to honor
and wealth."
When he left me, had to lean
against dead wall for support. The
sound Of his footsteps was still in my
ears when suddenly felt that 1 was
saved. There had been terrible strug-
gle Of conscience, but right had tri-
umphed at last. I was pulling myself
together to return to the bank when
woman accosted me by name and said:
How lucky 1 happened to see you.
I was on my way down to Blacks to
see II he wouldn't take charge Of this
package till tomorrow. It's money I
got only two hours ago-$2,0OO."
Come In here, and I'll give you a
receipt"
Never mind that. We all know you
and trust you"
Her parting words gave me shiver.
How little they knew me. l had one
more trial to undergo. Almost at the
door of the bank 1 met two business
men Of high standing who were hold
ing an animated conversation.
Heard the news" queried one as
came up.
What is it?'
you remember the clerk in my
brothers office in Philadelphia who
skipped out two years ago with $780,
600? Well, he's been overhauled. He
went to Peru, no doubt expecting to
have grand times. 1t seems that every
body soon knew he was thief, and he
was an object Of contempt. He wan
dered about, always a marked man,
and at last was so overcome with
shame and degradation that he asked
to be arrested and sent back. He was
despised, insulted and plundered, and
he did not have one hours solid COM
fort out Of his funds. He will 60 to
prison for ten or fifteen years, and he
might as we'll die then. Say, isn't it a
curious thing that men will so destroy
themselvesY'
Take your own caSe," added the 9th
er as he placed hand on my shoulder.
you are young, but respected, trusted
and honored and on the sure road to
wealth. You might crib 100000 from
the bank and get away, but would that
compensate you for the sacrifice? No.
Even a million wouldn't. tell you, the
man who has got to outlaw himself to
enjoy his plunder must see days when
he would almost give his life to be set
back in the position he once held"
I passed on into the bank and care
fully locked the door behind me. My
knees were so weak that had to rest
for a good twenty minutes. Even my
hair was sopping wet with perspira-
ton.
When felt strong enough, carried
the satchel to the vault, opened the
doors and replaced the money, and it
was not until the iron doors were
locked again that felt sure had won.
There would be no watchman that
night. 1 had planned 1t so. l took OF
my coat kicked off my shoes and made
myself comfortable in an armchair. l
did not feel sleepy, but when the day
porter came at in the morning to re-
lieve the watchman was sound asleep.
1t had got to the ears of the officers
that had sacrificed my night because
of the death of the watchman's wife,
and the president feelingly said:
"Bless the dear bowl He's q man out