Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-07-20
The Kind-hearted Tanner.

The following incident is so beautiful and touching, that it should be read to every household in the country. It develops the true active principles of kindness How many an erring mortal, making the first step in crime, might be redeemed by the exercise of this sublime trait in the character of the kird-hearted Quaker.
 William Savery, an emiaet minister among the Qaakers, was tanner by trade One night quantity of hides was stolen from his tannery, and he had reasons to believe thatrLe thief was a quarrelsone drunken neighbor, called John Smith. Next week the following advertisement appeared in the country newspaper
 Whosocver stole quantity of hides on the 5th of this month, is hereby in- formed that the owner has a sincere wish to be his friend. If poverty tempted him to this false step, the owner will keep the whole transaction secret, and will gladly put him in the way of obtaining money by means more likely to bring him peace of mind"
 This singular advertisement attracted considerable attention but the culprit alone knew who had made the kind offer. When he read it his heart melted within
  him, and he was filed with sorrow for what he had done. A few nights afrelward, as the tanners family were about retiring to rest, they heard a tiinidAnock, andwhen the door was opened, there stood John Smith, with load of hides on his shoul- der. Without looking up he said: !" l have brought these back, Mir. Slavery, where shall l put themy'
 "Wait till can get lantern, and 1 will go to the barn with thee," he replied, !" then, perhaps, thou wilt come in and tell me 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 on the table. When they returned from the barn, she said: Neighbor Smith, I thought some good hot supper would be good for thee."
 He turned his back to her and did not speak. After leaning against theiirepiece in silence few moments, he said in chok- ed voice:
 "It is the first time 1 ever stole any thing, and I have felt very bad about it. am sure that I did not 'ever think l should come'to what l am. But l took to drinking and then quarreling. Since I began to go down hill everybody gives me kick. You are the first man who has ever offered me helping hand. My wife is sickly and my children starving You have sent them many meal, God bless you! but yet I stole the hides. But tell you the truth when say it is the first time the I was,ever thief. |"
 "Let it be the last, asy friend, "replied William Savery. ..The secret lies between ourselves Thou art still young, and it is thy power to make up lost time. Promise me that thou wilt not drink any intoxica- ting liquor for year. and will employ thee tomorrow on good wages. The little boy can pick up stones. But eat bite now, and drink some strong coffee per haps it will prevent you from craving any thing stronger to night Doubtless you wilt find it hard to abstain at first, but keep up brave heart for the sake of thy wife and children, and it will soon become easy When thou hast need of cofeo tell Mary and she will give it thee. "
 The poor fellow tried to cat aud drink, but the food seemed to choke him. After vainly trying to compose his feelings, he bowed his head on the table and wcpt like a child. After awhile he ate and drank, and lis host parted with him for the night with Che friendly words, l" Try todo well, John, and thou wilt always find a friend in me-" John entered into his employ the the next day, and remained with him many years, sober, honest .aed steady man, The secret was kept between them; but after Johns death William Savery some times told the story to prove that evil might be overcome with good.