Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-05-05

VIM. Slavery, preacher, among the Quakers,
was tanner by trade, and known by all as some
! who walketh humbly with his Cod One
night quantity of hides was stolen from his
tannery, and he had reason to believe that the
thief was quarrelsome, drunken neighbor,
whom | shall call John Smith. The next
week the following 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 a sincere wish to be his
friend. If poverty tempted him to this
false step, the owner will keep the whole
transaction 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 attracted con-
siderable attention, but the culprit alone
knew who had made the kind offer. When
| he read it his heart melted within him. and
| he was filed with sorrow for what he had
done. Afew nights afterward, as the tanners
family were about retiring to rest, they heard
tlmld knock, and when the door was opened
there stood John Smith, with load of hides
said -
II have brought these back, Mr.. Sayerv-
where shall put them ~
"Wait till can get lantern, and I will
go to the barn with thee he replied, "then.
perhaps, thou wilt come and tell me how
this happened. Wewill see what can be done
for thee''
As soon as they were gone out, his wife
prepared some hot coffee, and placed MES and
meat on the table. When they returned home
from the barn, she said:
/" Neighbor Smith, thought some hot SUM-
per would be good for thee
He turned his back toward her, and he did
not speak. After leaning against the fire.
choked voice: ~
q 1t is the first time ever stole ANYTHING.
and have felt very bad about it. am sure
/ didn't once think that l should ever come
to what am. But I took to drinking. and
then quarreling. Since began to 20 down
hill everybody gives me kick. You are the
first man that has ever offered me a helping
hand. My wife is sickly, and my children
are starving. You have sent them manv a
meal-God bless you-and vet l stole the
hides. But tell you the truth, when saw
it is the first time l was ever a thief q
!" Let it be the last, my friend,D replied
William Slavery. "The secret remains be-
tween ourselves. Thou art still young, and it
1t IN thy power to make up for lost time
Promise me that thou wilt not drink any in
toxicating liquor for year, and l will EMPLOY
~~-SS - oAh SOO0 0dBocs 1uc llLLle
boy can pick up stones. But eat bit now.
and drink some hot coffee. Perhaps it will
keep thee from craving anything stronger to-
night. Doubtless thou wilt find it hard to abb
stain at first, but keep up brave heart. for
the sake of thy wife and children, and il viii
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. After vainly
tryin to compose his feelings, he bowed his
head on the table, and wept like child
After a while he ate and drank, and his host
parted with him for the night, with the friend
ly words: ~
Try to do well, John, and thou wilt al
ways lind friend in me- r w
lie 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. Slavery sometimes told
the story, to prove that evil might be OYER
come with good.-C6ilds Paper.