Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-08-13
The Quaker's Corn-Crib.

4
corn from his neighbor, who was Quaker
Every night he would 60 softly to the crib, and
and fill his bag with the ears which the good
| old Quakers toll had placed there. Every
morning the old gentleman observed a diminu.
tion of his corn pile. This was very annoying
and must be stopped-but how =? Many an
one would have said, Take gun, conceal your
! self, wait till he comes, and fire." Others
would have said, Catch the villain, and have
him sent to jail"
But the Quaker was not prepared to enter
iuto any such measures. He wanted to pun
| ish the offender and at the same time bring
about his reformation, 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 un-
| holy errasd at the hour of midnight with bag
in hand. Unsuspectingly be thrust his hand
into the crib to seize an ear, when, 10 ! he
| found himself unable to withdraw it In vain
he tugged and pulled, aud sweated, and alter
nately cried and cursed. His hand was fast,
and every effort to release it only made it the
| more secure. After time the tumult in his
breast measurably subsidized He gave over
his useless struggles, and began to look around
him. All was silence and repose. Good men
were sleeping comfortably in their beds, while
he was compelled to keep dreary, disgraceful
watch through the remainder Of that long and
| tedious night, his hand in constant pain from
the pressure 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 slum-
| Der, but no there was no rest, no sleep for
| him, There he must stand and watch the
progress of the night, and at once desire aud
dread the return of morning Morning came
at last, and the Quaker look out of his window
and found that be had Caught man."
What was to be done 2 Some one would
say, Go out and give him good cowhiding
just as he stands, and then release him that IL
cure him." But not so said the Quaker
Such q course would have sent the man away
embittered, aud muttering curses of revenge.
The old man hurried on his clothes, and start
ed at once to the relief and punishment of his
prisoner
Good morning, friend" said he, as he came
in speaking distance. "How does thee do p
The poor culprit made no answer, but burst
into tears
| "ORe !" said the Quaker, as he proceeded
| to release him. Il am sorry that thee has got
thy hand fast Thee put it in the wrong place,
! or it would not have been So"
! The man looked creStfallen, and begging
forgiveness hastily turned to make his retreat.
Stay" said his prosecutor, for he was now be-
coming such to the offender, who could have
received blow with o much better grace than
/ the kind words that were falling from the
! Quaker's lips "Stay friend, thy bag is not
/ filled Thee needs corn or thee would not have
| taken so much pains to get it. Come, let US
! fill it." and the poor fellow was obliged to
+ stand and hold the bag while the old man filled
! it, nterSperSng the exercises with the pleas
ATTEST conversation imaginable, all of which
were like 1aggers in the heart of his chagrined
aud mortified victim The bag was filled and
the string tied, and 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
about to hurry of, having uttered once more
his apologies and thanks Stay. Ruth has
breakfast ere this thee must not think Of go
ing without breakfast Ruth is calling"
| This was almost uncomfortable. This was
''heaping Goals" with vengeance. In vain the
mortified neighbor begged to be excused. In
Tain be pleaded to be released from what would
be to him punishment ten times more severe
/ than stripes and Imprisonment The Quaker
was inexorable. aud he was obliged to yield
/ Breakfast over Now" said the old farmer.
/ as he helped the victim shoulder the bag, 'lf
/ thee needs any more corn, come in the day
! time. aud thee shall have it
! With what shame and rcmorSe did that gull
| ty man turn from the dwelling of the pious
/ Quaker Everybody is ready to say that be
! never again troubled the Quakers corn-crib.
! l have something still better than that to tell
you He at once repented and reformed, and
/ nv informant tells me that he afterwards heard
him relate in an eyperience-meeting, the sub
stance of the story | have related, and lie at
! trbuted his conversion, under Gods blessing,
to the course the Quaker had pursued, TO arrest
/ him in his downward course.