Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-13
59li6tellaneons.
Test of Kindness,

ne IOlo"lllS liiCiue'il 10 sO oe""'''o' "''N
touching, that it should be read in every
household in the country. 1t developes true
active principle OF kindness. How many
an erring mortal making his first step i'll
C rime, might be redeemed by the exercise
of this sublime TRAIT III tue cuu'aote' VI '"0
kind harted Quaker:
William Slavery, an eminent preacher
among the Quakers, was tanner by trade
and was known by all as ""ue who walked
humbly with his God" One night qnan,
,ity of hides we're stolen from his tannery,
and he had reason to believe that the thIel
was n ouarrelsome. drunken neighbor, whom
call John Smith The next week the
following advertisement appeared IN the
country newspaper:s
"Whorver stole quantity OF hides on
IN. fifth of this month, is hereby informed
that the owner has sincere wish to be his
friend. If Poverty tempted him TO this false
step, the owner will keep the whole transac'
,ion secret, and will gladly put him in the way
OF obtaining money by means more likely
to bring him peace at mind.
This osingular advertisement attracted
considerable attention; but the culprlt alone
knew who had made the kind offer When
he read it his heart melted within him, anc
he was filled with sorrow for what he hao
done. 4 few nights afterwards, as the ia
ner's family were about returning to rest
thew heard timid knock, and when th'
door was opened there stood John Smith
with a load Of hides on his shoulders
Without looking up. he said: ;" have hrnugh
these back, MIR. Savery; where shall pu
them :" :,
"Wait till can get lantern, and vii
90 to the barn with lhee,' he replied, thel
HHerhaps thou wilt come in aud tell me hor
this happened We will see what can h'
done for thee" -
As soon as they were gone out, his vii
nrrna,ed some hot coffee, aud placed pie
and meat on the table. When they returne
from the barn, she said =" Neghbor Smith
I.thousht some hot supper would he goo
| for thee. =.
He turned his back towards her and dl
not speak. After leaning against the hire
nlace in silence few moments, he SAID j
!, cbokei voice: "lt is the first time eve
stole AN, thing, and | have felt very ba
about it. am sure | didn't once think tha
| should ever come to what am. But
took to drinking, and then to quarrellIns
Since | began to go down hill every bod
piyes me kick. You are the first man tl';
has ever offered me helping hand. NJ
wife is sickly aud my children starving "
have sent them many meal. God bles
YOU! but vet stole the hides. But tie
YOU the truth when say it is the first tim
| was ever thief" ,.
"Let be the last, my friend replied WI
liam Savery The secret still lies hetwee
ourselves. Thou art still young, and it is
thy power to make up for lost time. FRO"
ise me that thou wilt not drink any int"xir;
ting liquor for a year, and will emhn
| thee 10 morrow OH good wages. ihe i''''
b,y can pick up stones. But eat a bit no.
and drink some hot coffee; perhaps 1t WI
keen thee from craving ANYTHING strong'
tonight. Doubtless thou wilt find 1t har
to abstain at first; but keep up bra'
heart for the sake of thy wife and children
and il will soon become easy. y hen tho
hast need of coffee. tell Maty, and she vi
give it thee"
The moor fellow tried to eat and drinI
h,t the food seemed 10 choke him. Attt
vainly trying to compose his feeling, !
bnwsd His head on the table and wept lb
child After while he ate and dranl
I / Il, tho ,,,xl