The Yazoo Democrat., 1858-09-25
THE QUAKER'S CoRN-CRIB.

A man had been in the habit of stealing
corn from his neighbor, who was a Quaker.
Every night he would 60 softly to the crib
and fill his bag with the ears which the good
old Quaker's toll had placed there. Every
morning the old gentleman observed a dimi-
mutton of his corn piles. This was verv
annoying and must be stopped but how
Many one would have said, Take qua,
conceal yourself, 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
into any such severe measures. He wanted
to punish the offender, and at the same time
bring about his reformation, if possible. So
he fixed n 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
unhoIy errand at the hour of midnight, with
bag in hand. Unsuspeciingy he thrust his
hand into the crib 10 seize an ear. when 10 .
be found himself unable to withdraw it In
vain he tugged, aud pulled, and sweated, and
alternately cried and cursed. His hand was
fast, and every effort to release it only mad.
1t the more secure After awhile the tumull
IN bis breast measurably subsided. Lie gave
over his useless struggles, and began to look
around. Good men were sleeping comfor-
tably III their beds, while he was comp ,Ilel
to keep dleary, disgraceful watch through
the remainder of that long, tedious night, his
hand IN constant pain from the pressure ot
the clamp which held it. His tired limbs,
compelled 10 sustain bis weary body, would
taln have sunk beneath him, but 10 there
was no rest, no sleep for him. There he
must stand and watch the progress of the
night, and at once desired aud dreaded the
return of morning Morning came at last,
and the Quaker looked out of his window
and found he had "caught his man"
What was to be done? Some would say,
" Go out and give him a good cowhiling
just as he stands, and then release him
'ha'Il cure him." But not so, said the
Quaker. Such course would have sent
The man away embttered, aud mutterng
curses OF revenge. The good old man hur-
RED on his clothes, and started at once to
the reliet and punishment of his prisoner.
Good morning, friend" said he as he
came in speaking distance. "How does
thee do p
The poor culprt made no answer, bul
burst into tears.
"Oh tie )" said the Quaker, as lie pro-
ceeJed TO release him. "Pm 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 cresfaIlen, and begging
forgiveness, hastily turned to make his
retreat. "Stay," said his prosecutor, for his
course was now becoming such to the often,
der, who could have re- eived blow with
much better grace than the kind words that
were falling from The Quaker's lips "slay
friend, thy bag is not filled. Thee needs
corn, or thee would not have taken so much
pains TO gett. Come, let us fill it," (And'
the poor fellow was obliged to stand and
hold the bag while the old man filed it,
intelspelsng the exercises with The pleasant
est conversation imaginabe--alI of which
We're like daggers in the heart of his cha-
grlned and mortified victm.) The bag was
filled, the string tied, and the sufferer hoped
soon to be out of the presence OF his tormeu
tor, but again his purpose was thwarted.
Stay" said the Quaker, as the mau was
about to hurry of, having muttercd once
more his apologies and thanks. "Stay, Ruth
has breakfast ere this thee must not think
II going without breakfast. Come Ruth is
calling"
This was almost unendurabe This was
" heapng Goals" with vengeance. L. vain
the morufied neighbor begged to be excused
IN vain he pleaded to bs released from what
would be to him punishment ten times
more severe than stripes aDd Imprisonment.
The Quaker was iuexorabe, aud he was
obliged to yield.
Breakfast over, "Now," said the old
farmer, As he helped the victim to shoulder
the bag, " If thee needs any more corn, come
IN the day time, aud thee shall have it,"
With what shame and remorse did that
guilty man turn fro the dwelling of the
plous Quaker! Everybody is ready to say
that he never again troubled the Quaker'S
corn-crib. l have something still better
than that to tell you. lie at once repented
and reformed, and lived and died au honest
man.