Aug. 6 (UPI) — A California book store recently received a package that turned out to contain a book that was stolen 40 years earlier, along with an apology note and $100.

Booklegger in Old Town Eureka said on social media that a package arrived recently and employees opened it to discover a copy of The Unstrung Harp by Edward Gorey.

A note included in the package explained the book had been stolen from the store about 40 years earlier.

“I was a student at HSU with a horrible drug and alcohol problem,” the note’s author wrote. “I was in desperate need of money, but even more desperately needed a spiritual awakening in my life. I was eventually blessed with just such a psychic change.”

The person explained the book had recently been rediscovered in a box in their garage.

“I was so happy to find that the store was still in business so I could return the book and tell you how sorry I am for my utter lack of principles,” the note said.

The author included $100 with the note and asked the store to get into contact if there was “anything further I might do to right this wrong.”

Booklegger owner Jennifer McFadden said she and her employees were touched by the gesture.

“I just thought it was exceptional that after such a long time, this person still had the impulse to try to make up for a mistake he made and regretted,” she told Lost Coast Outpost. “It would be so much easier to just feel bad about it but not act on those feelings.”