National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-11-15

Tho following incident is SO beau
tiful and touching that it should be
read in every household in the
country. 1t developes the active
principles of kindness. How many
an erring mortal taking his first step
in crime might be redeemed by the
exercise of this sublime trait in the
character of the kind hearted Qua
ker.
William Savery, an eminent min.
sitter among the Quakers, was tan.
ner by trade. One night quantity
of hides were stolen from his tan
merry, and he had reason to believe
that the thief was Il quarrelsome,
drunken neighbor, called John
Smith. Next week the following
advertisement appeared in the count.
try newspaper:
"Whoever stole a quantity OF
hides on the 9TH OF this month is
hereby informed that the owner has
a sincere wish to be his friend. II
poverty tempted him to this false
step the owner will keep the whole
transaction a secret and will gladly
put him in way of obtaining mon
ey by means more likely to bring
him peace Ofmind p
This singular advertisement at
tracted considerable attention but
the culprit alone knew who made
him the kind offer. When he read
it his heart melted within him, and
he was filled with sorrow for VIII at
he had done. A few nights after
wards, as the tanners family were
about retiring to rest, they heard a
timid knock, and when the door
opened there stood John Smith with
load of hides ON his shoulders
Without looking up he said-"I
have brought these back, Mr.. Say
cry f; where shall put them ?"
''Wait till get a lantern and
will 60 to the barn with thee" he
replied; ''thep thou will come in
and tell how this happened. We
will see what can be done for thee.
AS soon as they were gone out his
wife prepared some hot coffee, and
placed pies and meat on the table,
When they returned from the
barn she said-"neighbor Smit h, ]
thought some hot supper would be
good for you"
He turned his back toward hel
and did not speak After leaning
against the fire place in silence a few
moments, he said in choked voice
1T is the first time that l ever stole
anything, and have felt very ba,
about it. | am sure l didn't onc
think that | should come to what
am. But | took to drinking an,
then to quarrelling. Since l begal
to go down hill everybody gives m,
kick. You are the first man thai
ever offered me helping hand. NJ,
wife is sickly and my children starv
ing. IOu have sent them many
meal. God bless You! but stol
the hides. Bat l tell the truth whel
| say it is the first time | ever WAS
thies"
, "Iet it be the last my friend,' r,
4 piled William Savery. The secrt
c lies between ourselves. Thou al
< still young, and it is in thy power
$ make up for lost time. Promise II
t THAT you will not drink any intox
S eating liquor for year and l W
e employ thee tomorrow on good vi
S ges. The little boy can pick Y
S stones. But eat bit now al
h drink some hot sofee: perhaps
d will keep thee from craving an
J. thing to night. Doubtless you W
!. find it hard to abstain at first; b
l. keep up a brave heart for the sab
h of thy children, and it will soon b
r. come easy. When thou hast nee
/. of coffee, tell Mary and she will 81,
r. it to thee
lr The poor fellow tried to eat ar
II drink, but the food seemed to chol
rs him. After vainly trying to COZ
Ie pose his feelings, he bowed his he;
d on the talAe, and wefa like chi
h After q little while he ate and dra
and his host parted with him
the night with the friendly wor,
- TRY to do well, John, and thou "
~ ~, always find friend in me- 10
. entered his employ the enext day.
:" remained with him many years
- sober, houest and stead man. 7
as m secret of the theft was kept hetw'
;s Is; them ; but after Johns death, v
10 liam Savery sometimes told
,a ' story to prove that evl might
overcome with good.