A reformed shoplifter closed the book on a decades-old crime this week — returning a rare first-edition copy he stole from a Northern California bookstore 40 years ago, along with a heartfelt apology and a crisp $100 bill.
The unexpected package arrived at Booklegger in Eureka’s Old Town district on Monday, where owner Jennifer McFadden discovered it as she was heading out for the day.
One of the bookstore’s employees convinced her that she had to open up the mail delivery before leaving, according to the Lost Coast Outpost.
“We received a small package in the mail today, and couldn’t read the handwritten return address, so we had no idea if it was promotional material about a book or who knows what. In fact it contained something so unexpected and touching the three of us who were working ended up with tears in our eyes,” owner Jennifer McFadden posted on Facebook.
The long-overdue return left the bookstore staff stunned.
“Making up for a past wrong, no matter how belatedly, takes courage. Yes, people make mistakes, but the ways the people show us the good of humanity are far more numerous,” she continued.
The apology letter explained how the man was formerly a student at “HSU with a horrible drug and alcohol problem” and that he desperately needed money. After much change, he proceeded to live a better life and came across this book while cleaning out the garage.
The book was a first-edition 1953 copy of “The Unstrung Harp” by Edward Gorey, who is an American author and a Tony Award-winning costume designer.
Booklegger’s staff priced “The Unstrung Harp” at $125, but the owner said that the gesture was worth far more. She also plans on texting the man to thank him and to tell him to feel unburdened.
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