Smyrna times., 1860-12-27

hand. Unsuspectingly he 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, and sweated, and alterna-
teiy cried out and cursed. His hand was fast
and every effort to release it only made il the
more secure. Afer awhile the tumult in his
breast measureably subsided. He gave over
his useless struggles, and began TO look aroun |.
Al was silence and repose. GooG men were
asleep comfortably in their beds, while he was
compelled to keep dreary, disgracetul watch
through the remainder OF that long and tedious
night, his hand IN constant pain from the pres
sure Of the clamp which held it. His tired
limbs, compelled TO sustain his weary body,
would fain have sunk beneath him, and his
weary eyes would have closed in slumber, but
no! There he must stand and watch the pro
gress OF the night, and at once desired and
dreaded the return Of morning. Morning CAME
at last and the Quaker looked out Of his win
dow and found that he had "caught his rnan."
What was to be done! Some would say,
"Gl out and give him good cowhldIng lust
as he stands; and then reeGse him thdt'll
cure him" But o. so, said the Quaker.-
Such course would have nj the man away
embItterred, and mutterng curses of revenge
The old man hurried on his clothes, and started
At once TO the relief and punishment of his
prisoner.
"Good morning, friend" so id ne, as he came
in speaking distance, " how does thee do -
The poor cuip prIt made no answer, but burst
into tears.
40 fe!" said the Quaker, as he proceeded
to releass him. " ! am sorry that thee has got
thy hand fast. Thee put it IN the wrong
place, or it would not have been So
kC lrO L..,lo 10, j.
givencss, hssthy turning TO make his retreat
Stay" said his prosecutor, for he was now
becoming such to the offender, who could have
received . blow with much better grace thau
the kind words which were falling from the
Quaker's lips; stay, friend, thy bag is moi
filled. Thee deeds corn, or thee would not
have taken so much pains to get it. Come, let
US I'LL IT. (And the poor fellow was obliged
to stand and hold the bag while the old ma
filled 1t, interpreting the exercise with the
Pieasentest conversation imaglnable-all OF
which were like daggers in the heart of bic
chagrlned and mortified victim The bag
was filled, the string tied, and the sufferer
hoped soon to be out of the presence Of hls
tormentor, but again his purpose was thwart-
ed
"Stay," said the Quaker, as the man was
about to hurry off, having muttered once more
his apologies ami thanks. Stay, Ruth has
breakfast ere this; thee must not think of 60
ing without breakfast. Csme, Ruth is calling"
uncomfortable. This was {" "heaping Goals" with
a vengeance. In vain the mortified neighbor
begged to be excused; in vain he eaded to
be excused; in vain he pleaded to be released
from what would be to him punish nent ten
times more severe than stripes and imprlson-
ment. The Quaker was inexorable, and he
was obliged to yield.
Breakfast over, " Now, said the cid farmer,
as he helPed the victim to shoulder The bag
eff thee needs any more corn, come i'll the day
time and thee shall have it,"
With what shame and remorse did that
guilty nan turn from the dwelling of the plous
! Quaker! Everybody is ready to say that be
never again troubled the QLaker's corn crib
| have something better than that to tell you
He at once repented, reformed. and lived ant
died an honest man.