The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1857-08-14
Mistellaucnus.
THE QUAKER'S CORN CRIB.

A man had been in the habit Of stealing corn
from his neighbor, who was Quaker. Every
night hp would 90 softly to the crib, and fill his
bag with the ears which he good old Quaker's
toll had placed there. Every morning the old
gentleman observed a diminuton of his corn
pile. This was very annoying, and must be
stopped-but how2 Many an one would have
said, 'sTake gun, conceal yourself, wait till
he comes, and fire." Others would have
said, sCatch the villain, and have him sent to
jail.''
But the Quaker was not prepared to enter in-
to any snch measures He wanted to punish
the offender and at the same time bring about
his restoration if possible. So he fixed sort of
trap close to the hole through which the man
would thrust his arm in getting the corn.
The wicked neighbor proceeded on his unho-
Iy errand at the hour OF midnight, with bag in
hand. Unsuspectingly he thrust his hand in
to the crib to seize an ear, when, 10 he found
himself unable to withdraw it In vain be tug
ged, and pulled, and sweaed, and alternately
cried and cursed His hand was fast. and every
effort to release it only made it the more secure.
After long time the tumull in bis breast meas
uraby subsided. He gave over his useless
struggles, aud began to look around him. All
was silence and repoSe' Good men were sleep
ing comfortably 10 their beds, while be was
compelled to keep dreary, disgracelul watch
through the remainder of that long and tedious
night, his hand in constant pain from the pres
sure Of the cramp which held it. His tired
limbs, compelled to sustain his weary body,
would fain have sunk beneath him, and his
heavy eyes would have closed in slumber. but
no! there was no rest, no sleep for him. There
ne must stand and watch the progress of the
night, ard at once desire and dread the return
ofmorniag. Morning cana at last, and the Qua
ker looked out Of his window and found that
he had "caugbt the man."
What was to be done? Some would say, $50
out and give him good cowhiding Just as he
stands, and then release him; that'll cure
him." But not so said the Quaker Such a
course would have sent the man away embit-
tered, and muttering curses Of revenge The
good old man hurried on his clothes, and started
at once to the relief and punishment of his pris-
oner.
Good morning friend,' said he, as he
came within speaking distance. HHow does the
do?''
The poor culprit made no answer, but burst
into tears.
so fe!" said the Quaker, as he proceeded 10
release him. Il am sorry that thee has got thy
hand fast. Thee put it in the wrong place 0.
ii would not have been so.'
The man looked crest-fallen, and begging for
giveness hastily turned to make his retreat
''Stay," said his prosecutor, for he was now be-
coming such 10 the offender, who could have re-
ceived blow with much better grace than
the kind words which were falling from the
Quaker's lips. "Stay, friend, thy bag is not
filed. Thee needs corn, or thee would not have
taken so'much pains to get it. Come let as Eli
it." and the poor fellow was obliged to stand
and bold the bag while the old man filled it, in
terspersing the exercises with the pleasantest
conversation imaginable, all of which were like
daggers in the heart ofhis chagrined and morti-
fed victim. The bag was filled and the string
tied, and the sufferer hoped soon to be out of the
presence of his tormentor, but again his purpose
was thwarted.
"Stay," said the Quaker, as the man was a
bout 10 hurry of, having uttered once more
his apologies and thanks. "Stay, Ruth has
breakfast ere this; thee must not think of