The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-04-26
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The Stolen Hides.

William Savery, an eminent preacher
among the Quakers, was a tanner by
trade, aud known by all as one who
walkcth humbly with his Cod" One
night quantity of hides was stolen
from his tanncry, and he had reason to
believe that the chief was a quqrrelseme,
drunken ncghbor, whom ] shall call
John Smith The next week, the fol-
lowing advertisement appeared in the
country newspaper
Whoever stole quantity of hides on
the fifth of the present. month, is hereby
informed that the owner has sincere
wish to be his friend. Ifpoverty tempt.
ed him to this false step, the owner will
keep the whole transaction secret. and
will gladly put him in the way of obtain
ing 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 be was filled with sorrow for
what he had done. \ few nights after
ward, as the tanners family were about
retiring to rest, they heard tmid
knock ; and. when the door was opened,
there stood John Smith. with load Of
hides on his shoulder Without looking
up, he said
Il have brought these back, Mr..
Savcry, where shall [ put them ?"
wait till / can get lantern aud I
will 90 to the barn with thee" he re-
piled; 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 wero gone out, his
wife prepared some hot coffee, and placed
pies and meat on the table When they
roturnd home from the barn, she said
Neighbor Smith. thought some hot
supper would be good for thee
lie turned his face toward her, and lie
did not speak. After leaning against
the fireplace in silence few moments,
be said in a chokod voice;
1t is the first time | ever stole any
thing, and felt very bad about it. l
am sure didn'tronce think that should
ever come to what am. But | took
to drinking, then quarrelling Since |
began to 60 down bill. every body gives
me kick. You are the first man that
has ever offered me helping hand. My
wife is sickly, and my children are starry
ing. You have sent them many meal
God bless you and Yet | stole the
hides. But tell you the truth, when |
say it is first time that | was ever Il
thicfn
Let it be the last, my friend" re-
piled VIM, Sayery. The secret re-.
mains between ourselves. Thou art still
young, and it is thy power to make up
for lost time. Promise me that thou
wilt not drink any Intoxicating liquor
for year, and will employ thee to-
morrow on good wages The little boy
can pick up stones. But cat bit now,
and drink some hot coffee Perhaps it
will 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, and she will always give it
thee"
The poor fellow tried to eat and drink,
but the food seemed to choke him. Af
ter vainly trying to compose his feelings,
he bowed his head on the table, and wept
like child. After while he ate and
drank, and his host parted with him for
the night, with the friendly words:
Try to do well, John, and thou wilt
always find friend in me-"
He entered into his employ tho next
day, and remained with him many years
a 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.