The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-08-01
The Kind-Hearted Tanner.


and touching, that it should be read to
every household in the country. 1t de,
velopes the true, active principle of kind
ness. How many an erring mortal, max
ing his first step in crime, might be re-
| deemed by the exercise of the sublime
trait IN the character of the kind hearted
Quaker:
William Savery, an eminent minister
among the Quakers, was a tanner by
trade. One night quantity of hides
were stolen from his tannery, and he had
reason to believe that the thief was a
quarrelsome, drunken neighbor, called
John Smith. Next week that following
advertisement appeared in the county
newspaper:
"Whoever stole quantity of hides on
the fifth of this month, is hereby inform
ed that the owner has sincere wish to
be his friend. IF proverty tempted him to
this false step, the owner will keep tn e
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 this kind offer
When he read it his heart melted within
him, and he was filled with sorrow for
what he done. A few nights afterwards,
.,as the tanners family were about retiring
to rest, they heard timid knock and
when the door was opened, there stood
John Smith, with load of hides upon
his shoulder. Without looking up, he
said:
81 have brought these back, Mr. Save
ry, where shall put them ?"
"Wait till can get lantern, and I
will 60 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
and meat on the table When they re-
turned from the barn, she said:
"Neighbor Smith, thought some good
hot supper would be good for thee"
He turned his back towards her, aud
did not speak. After leaning against the
fire place in silence a few moments, he
said in a choked voice
'"It is the first time l ever stole any
thing, and | have felt very bad about it.
[ am sure l didn't once think that |
should ever came to what am. But |
took to drinking, and then to quarreling
Since began to 90 down hill every body
Five me kick You are the first man
that has ever offered me helping hand
My wife is sickly and my children starv-
ing. You have sent them many a meal.
God bless you but yet | stole the hides.
But | tell you the truth when | say it is
the first time | was ever thief"
"Let it be the last, my friend" repli-
ed William Savery. "The secret lies be.
tween ourselves Thou art still young,
and it's in thy power to make up for lost
time. Promise me that thou wilt not
drink any intoxicating liquor for year,
and will employ thee to morrow, on good
wages. The 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 ii
will soon 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 seemed to choke him. Af-
ter vainly trying to compose his feelings
he bowed his head on the table and wept
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 friend in me-"
John entered into his employment the
next day, and remained with him many
years, a 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 prove
that evil might be overcome with good.