The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-03-09

which | have grated with very choice
apples, If you like, l will procure
you some cuttings from the same
stock"
They went into the orchard together,
and friendly chat soon put Reuben at
his ease When he returned home, he
made no remarks about his visit for
he could not, as yet, summon sufficient
greatness of soul to tell his wife that he
had confessed himself in the wrong.
A gun stood behind the kitchen door in
readiness to shoot Mr.. Green's dog for
having barksd at his horse. He now
fired the contents into the air, and put
the gun away into the barn. From
that day hcnceforth, he never sought
for any pretext to quarrel with the dog
or his master. A short time after, Joe
Smith, to his utter astonishment, saw
him pat Tower on the head, and heard
him say" Good fellow J"
Simeon Green was too magnanimous
to repeat to any one that his quarrel
some neighbor had confessed himself to
blame. He merely smiled as he said
TO his wife, 81 thought we should kill
him after a WHILE"
Joe Smith did not believe in such
doctrines. When he first came here, he
talked very big about killing folks, if
they did not mind their P's and Q's.
But he does not appear to have as
much spirit as worm for a worm will
turn when it is trod upon"
Poor Joe had grown more intem-
perate and more quarrelsome, till at
last nobody would employ him. About
year after the memorable incident of
the watermelon, some one stole several
valuable hides from Mr.. Green. He
did not mention the circumstance to
any one but his wife and they both had
reason for suspecting that Joe was the
thief. The next week, the following
anonymous advertisement appeared in
the newspaper of the county.
Whoever stole lot of hides on
Friday night, the 9th of the present
month, is hereby informed that the own
er has sincere wish to be his friend.
Ifpoverty tempted him TO the false step,
the owner will keep the whole transac-
ton secret, and will gladly put him in
the way of obtaining money by means
more likely to bring him peace Of
mind"
This singular advertisement, Of course
excited good deal of remark. There
was much debate whether or not the
thief would avail himself of the friendly
offer. Some said he would be q green
horn if he did for it was manifestly a
trap to catch him. But he who had
committed the dishonest deed alone
knew whence that benevolent offer came
and he knew that Simeon Green was
not man to set traps for his fellow
creatures.
Afew nights afterwards, timid knock
was heard at Simeon's door, just as the
family were retiring to rest. When the
door was opened, Joe Smith was seen
on the step, with load of hides on his
shoulders. Without raising his eyes,
he said in low humble tone, q have
brought them back, Mr.. Green. Where
shall l put them :"
Wait moment till I can light a
lantern, and l will 90 to the barn with
you," he replied. " Then you will come
in, and tell me how it happened. We
will see what can be done for you"
Mrs. Green knew that Joe often
went hungry, and become accustomed
to the stimulus of gin. She therefore
fastened to make hot coffee, and brought
from the closet some cold meat-pie.
When they returned from the barn
she said, " 1 thought you might feel
better for little warm supper, neigh
Dor Smith" Joe turned his head to-
wards her, and did not speak. He lean
cd his head against the chimney, and
after a moments silence, he said in a
choked voice, " 1t was the first time
ever stole anything, and l have felt
very bad about it. | do not know how
it is. l did not think, once, should
ever come to be what / am. But /
took to quarrelling, and then to drink,
ing. Since began to 60 down hill, ev.
cry body gives me kick. You are tho
first man that has offered me helping
hand. My wife is feeble, and my chill
dren starving. You have sent then
many meal, God bless you ard ye
/ stole the hides from you meaning tc
sell them the first chance could get
But | tell you, Mr.. Green,it is the frs
time ever deserved the name of thief
Let it be the last, my FRIEND" sale
Simeon, pressing his hand kindly
The secret shall remain between our.