Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Alex Cabrero ReportingFor some people living with guilt isn't really living at all. One Logan man had to do something about it before he could move on. Guilt is a powerful emotion, enough to make Shawn Seamons open his checkbook and do the right thing.
It's kind of like a Wal-Mart, before there was a Wal-Mart. Food for your car, food for your baby and food for you. The Island Market in Logan even has an aisle full of sweets, which Shawn Seamons remembers well.
Shawn Seamons: "This was the candy aisle. This was the medicine aisle."
It's not that he was ever employed there, but he sure worked pretty hard. You see, back when Seamons was in grade school, he stole more candy than he and his friends could ever eat in a week.
Shawn Seamons, Logan Resident: "I think we would just stash our backpacks full of candy, and just have an afternoon of sugar high and absolute fun."
Fun for them, not so for the store's owner.
Joanne Hansen, Owner, The Island Market: "It hurts us, it does. We struggle to compete with the bigger stores."
Thing is, Joanne Hansen never knew who was taking all her candy.
Joanne Hansen: "Thank you, have a nice day!"
Then yesterday Seamons came in, gave her a check for $200, and said he was sorry.
Shawn Seamons: "It's been weighing on my mind for five or six years now."
Imagine Hansen's surprise.
Joanne Hansen: "I just kind of thought it was a little strange."
It was strange, unusual, Seamons didn't have to do this and nobody would've ever known.
Shawn Seamons: "They would've never known. I know."
And that makes all the difference.
Joanne Hansen: "Integrity. That's one thing I value above everything else is integrity."
Who knows, after this story gets out, maybe The Island Market will get a few more checks.
Joanne Hansen: "I don't think in today's world that's gonna happen, but I would accept it gratefully. Ha ha ha!"
Seamons says he just couldn't live with the guilt.
