Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-07-11
The Ezfnd-Hearfed Tanner.

The following incident is so beautiful and
touching, that it should be read to every
household in the country. 1t develops the
true, active principle of kindness. How
many an erring mortal, making his first
step in crime, might be redeemed by the
exercise of this sublime traiJin the charac-
ter Of the kind hearted Quaker: ..-e
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 be- I
lieye that the thief was a quarrelsome
drunken neighbor, called John Smith,.
Next week the following advertisement
appeared in the country newspaper: --.
Whoever stole quantity of hides on
the fifth OF this month. is hereby Informed
that the owner has 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 filled with sorrow for what
he had done. A few nights afterwards, as
the tanners family We're about retiring 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: ~ have
brought these back, Mr.. Savery, where
shall 1 put them?" -..-... =
"Wait till I can get lantern, and will
| go to the barn with thee" he replied; Sthen,
| perhaps, thou wilt come in, and tell me how
this happened. Wewill 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 Smith,
[ thought some good hot supper would be
good for thee" r4.
He turned his back towards her, and did
not speak. After leaning against the fire
! piece in silence few moments, he said in
choked voice: -.
''It is the first time l ever stole anythin
ard 1 have felt very bad about it. am
sure didn't once think that 1 should ever
come to what am. But took to drink
ing, and then to quarreling. Since began
to go down hill everybody gives me kick.
You are the first man that 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
stole the hides. But l tell you the truth
when l say it is the first time l was ever a
thief" ... L
"Let it be the last, my friend" replied
William 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 year, and L will
employ thee tomorrow on good wages.
The little boy can pick up stones. But eat
bit now and drink some hot coffee; per-
haps 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 soon be-
come 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 seemed to choke him. After
vainly trying TO compose his feelings, he
bowed his head on the table and wepty like
a child. After awhile he ate and drank,
and his host parted with him for the night
with the friendly words, "Try to do well,
John, and thou wilt always find a friend
in me-" John entered into his employ the
next day, and remained with him many
years, sober, honest and steady man. The
secret of the theft was kept between them;
but after Johns death William Sayery
f sometimes told the story to prove that evil
might be overcome with good. .-