Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-04-05
THE STOLEN HIDES

william Savery, an enClnent preacher
among the Quakers, was a tanner by
trade, and known by all as "one who
walketh humbly with his God" One
night quantity of hides was stolen from
his tannery, and he had reason to be-
lieve that the thief was quarrelsome,
drunken neighbor, whom | shall call
John Smith. The next week, the fol-
lowing advertisement appeared in the
county newspaper:
Whoever stole quantity of hides on
the fifth Of the present month, is hereby
informed that the owner has q sincere
wish to be his friend. If poverty tempt
ed him to this false step, the owner will
keep the whole transaction secret and
will gladly put him in the way Of OBJ
tanning money by means more likely to
bring him peace of mind"
This singular advertisement attracted
considerable attention: but the culprit
alone knew who had made the kind offer.
When he read it his heart melted within
him, and he was filled with sorrow for
what he had done. A few nights after.
ward, as the tanners family were about
retiring to rest, they heard timid knock:
and, when the door was opened, there
stood John Smith, with a load of hides
on his shoulder. Without looking up he
said
81 have brought these back, Mr.. Sa-
very. Where shall put them 2"
wait till can get a lantern, and
will 60 to the barn with thee, he replied
'then, perhaps, thou wilt come in and
tell me how this happened, We will see
what can be done for thee"
As soon as they were gone out, his
wife prepared some hot coffee, and placed
some hot coffee, and placed pies and meat
on the table. When they returned from
the barn. she said
"Neighbor Smith, thought some hot
supper would be good for thee"
lie turned his back toward her. and he
did not speak. After leaning against the
the fireplace in silence few moments, be
said, in choked voice
1t is the first time ever stole ANY,
thing, and / have felt very bad about it.
| am sure | din't once think should ever
come to what | am. But | took to
drinking, and then quarrelling. Since
began to go down hill, everybody gives
me kick. You are the first man that
has ever offered me helping hand NV
wife is sickly, and my children are starv-
ing. You have sent them many a meal
-God bless you; and yet stole the hides.
But | tell you the truth, when say it is
the first time was ever thief"
"Let it be the last, my friend, replied
William Savery. The secret remains
between ourselves. Thou art still young,
and it is IN my power to make up for
lost time. Promise me that thou wilt
not drink any intoxicating liquor for a
year, and will employ thee tomorrow
on good wages. The little boy can pick
up stones. But eat bit now, and
drink some hot coffee. Perhaps. il viii
keep thee from craving anything stronger
tonight. Doubtless, thou wilt find it
hard to abstain at first, but keep up
brave heart for the sake Of thy wife and
children, and it will soon become easy.
When thou hast need Of coffee, tell Mary,
aud she will always give thee"
The poor fellow tried to eat and drink,
but the food seemed to choke him. After
Nainly attempting W CoinpoSS nlS leel-
iDgs, he bowed his head on his hand on
the table, and wept like q child. After
a while, he ate and drank, and his host
parted with him for the night, with the
friendlywords-
TRY to do well, John, and thou wilt
always find friend in me-"
He entered into his employ the next
day, and remained with him many years
sober, honest and faithful man. The
secret Of the theft was kept between
them, but after Johns death, William
Savery sometimes told the story to prove
that evil might be overcome with good.
ChtlGs Paper.