The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-08-15
THE KIMD-HEARTEp TANNER,

The following incident is so beautiful
and touching that it should be read to
every household in the country. 1t devel-
opes the true, active principle of kindness
How many erring mortals, making their
first steps in crime, might be redeemed by
the exercise of this sublime trait in the
character Of the kind-hearted Quaker:
William Savery, an eminent minister
among the Quakers, was tanner by trade
One night quantity of hides were stolen
from his tannery, and he had reason to
believe that the thief was quarrelsome,
drunken neighbor, called John Smith
The next week the following advertise
ment appeared in the country newspaper:
"Whoever stole quantity of hides on
the fifth of this month, is hereby informed
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 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 after,
when the tanners family were about re-
firing to rest, they heard timid knock,
and when the door was opened there stood
John Smith, with a load of hides on his
shoulder. Without looking up he said /:
81 have brought these back, Mr.. Slavery,
where shall put them 90
swat till / get lantern and [ viii 60
to the barn with thee" he replied, ''then,
perhaps, thou would come in and tell me
how this happened. We will see what
can be done for thee"
AS soon as they were gone out Mrs.
Savery prepared come hot coffee, and
placed pies and meat on the table. When
they returned from the barn she said -
F'Neighbor Smith, L thought some good
hot supper would be good for thee
He turned his back towards her, and
did not speak, After leaning against the
fireplace in silence few moments, he said
in a choked voice:
''It is the first time | have ever stole
anything, and felt very bad about it. I
am sure l didn't once think that should
ever come to what / am. But / took to
drinking and then TO quarreling. Since ]
began to 60 down hill everybody gives me
q kick. You are the first man that has
ever offered me a helping hand. My wife
is sickly and my children starving. You
have sent them many a meal. God bless
you but | stole the hides, But I tell
you the truth when say it is the first
time | was ever thief"
'.Let il be the last, my FRIEND" replied
Mr.. Savery. ''The secret lies between
ourselves. Thou art still young, and it is
in thy power to make up for lost time
Promise me that thou wilt not drink any
Intoxicating liquor for one year and 1 will
employ thee tomorrow at good wages
Thy little boy can pick up stones. But
eat bit now, and drink some hot coffee
perhaps it will prevent thee from craving
anything stronger tonight Doubtless
thou wilt find it hard to abstain at first;
but keep up brave heart for the sake of
thy wife and children, and it will become
easy. When thou hast need Of coffee tell
Mary, and she will give It thee
The poor fellow tried TO eat and drink,
but the food seened to choke him. After
vainly trying to compose his feelings, the
poor fellow bowed his head on the table
and wept like child. After while he
ate and drank, and his host parted with
him for the night with the friendly words,
"Try and do well, John, and thou wilt
always find friend in me.'' John en-
tered into his employ the next day, and
remained with him many years, q sober,
honest and steady man. The secret of the
theft was kept between them; but after
Johns death William Savery sometimes
told the story to show that evil might be
overcome with good.