The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-05-22
TIE QUAKER's CORN-CRlR.

A man had been in the habit of stealing corn
from his neigtbor, who was Quaker. Every
night he would 60 softly to the crib aud ill HIS
| bag with the ears which the good old Quaker's
toll had placed there. Every morning the old
gentleman observed q diminution in has corn
piles. This was very annoying and must be
stopped-but how? Many a one would have
said, Take a gun, conceal yoarseh, wait till he
comes, and hre. Others would have said,
"Catch the villain and have him sent To jail"
But the Quaker was no. prepared 10 enter in
to any such severe measures He wanted TO
punish the offender, and at the same time bring
about his reformation, if possible. So he fixed
a sort OF a trap close TO the hole through which
the man would thrust his arm in getting the
corn.
The wicked neiShbor proceeded on his un-
holy erraud al the hour of midnight, bag in hand
Cususpectingly he thi ms: his hand into the crib
10 selze All ear, when 10 he found himself una.
bic to withdraw il, In vain he tugged aud
pulled aud sweated, and alternately cried out
and cursed His hand WAS fast and every .ffort
10 release il only made il the more secure. Al.
ter while the tumult in his breast measurably
subsidized. he gave over hIs useless struggle and
began to lock around. All WAS silence and re.
pose. Good men were asleep comfortably in
their beds. while he was compelled 10 keep q
dsgraceiul watch through the remainder Of that
long and tedious night, his hand in constant
pain from the pressure of the clamp which held
it. His tired limbs, compelled TO sustain his
weary body, would have tain sunk beneath him,
and his weary ewes would have closed in slumber,
bat no, there he must stand and watch the pro-
gress OF the night, and at once desired and
dreaded the return OF the morning.
Morning came At last ana the Quaker looked
cut OF his window and found that he had caught
the man" What was TO be done. Some would
say, go out and give him good COW whiding,
just as he stands, and then release him." But
..ot 50 said the Quaker. Such = course would
have sent the man away embttered and muttcr-
ing 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" said he. as he came
within speaking distance, "how does thee
do?"
The poor culprit made no answer, but burst
| into tears.
Oh fe !" said the Quaker, as he proceeded to
release him II sm sorry that thee has got thy
hand fast thee put it in the wrong place or it
wsuld not have been So"
The man looked crest fallen, and begging
| o'giveness, hastily turned to make his retreat.
Stay" cried his persecutOr, Tor he wss nov
| becoming such to the offender, who would have
| received blow with much better grace than
the kind words which was falling from the Qua
ker'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 rs I'LL it," And
| the poor fellow was obliged to stand and hold
the bag while the old man filled it, nterspersing
the exercise with the plessantest conversation
Imaginable, all Of which were like dsggers 70
the heart OF the chagrined and mortified victim.
The bag was filled, the string tied, and the SUI
ferer hoped to be out OF the presence Of his tor
mentor, but again his purpose was thwarted.
Stay" said the Quaker, as the man WAS
about to hurry of, having once more uttered
his apologies and thanks. Stay, Ruth has
breakfast ready ere this; thee must not think
of going without breakfast. Come, Ruth is cal
ling"
This was almost uncomfortable. This was heap.
ing Goals with q vengeance. la vain the mOrti-
fed ueighbor begged to be excused; in vain ho
pleaded to be released from what would TO him
be a punishment ten times more severe than
stripes and imprisonment. The Quaker was in
eXorabIe, and he was Obliged to yield.
Breakfast over, "Now," said the old Quaker,
as he helped the victim to shoulder the bag, I'll
thee needs any more corn, come in the day time
and thee shall have it,"
With what shame and remorse did that guilty
men turn from the dwelling OF the pious Quaker.
Everybody is ready to say that he never again
troubled the Quaker's c0rn-crib. l have some
thing better to tell you he at once repented
aud reformed, and lived and died An honest man