The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-11-08
The Kind Hearted Tanner.

The following incident is so beauti-
full and touching that it should be
read in every household in the coun-
try. 1t develops the true active prin-
ciplc Of kindness. How many an err
ring mortal taking his first step in
crime might be redeemed by the exer-
else Of this sublime trait in the char
acter of the kind hearted Quaker.
William Savery, an eminent minis
ter 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
theft was quarrelsome, drunken
neighbor, called John Smith. Next
week the following advertisement APP
peared in the country newspaper:
Whoever stole quantity of hides
on the 9Th Of this month is hereby in
formed that the owner has sincere
wish to be his friend. If poverty
tempted him to this false step the
over will keep the whole transaction a
secret and will gladly put him in a
way of obtaining money by means
more likely to bring him peace of
mind"
This singular advertisement attract
ed considerable attentions 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 afterwards, as the tanner
family were about retiring to rest, they
heard 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.. Slavery
where shall / put them p
"Wait till get lantern and l will
go to the barn with thee" he replied ;
"then 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 Smith, l thought
some hot supper would be good for
you
He turned his back toward her and
did not speak After leaning against
the fire placein silence a few moments,
/ he said in choked voice: at is the
first time / ever stole anything, and !
have felt very bad about it. | am sure
didn't once think that | should come
to what | am. But took to drink
ing and then to quarrelling. Since
began to go down hill everybody gives
me q kick. You are the first mar
that has ever offered me helping
hand. My wife is sickly and my chill
dren starving, You have sent then
many meal. God bless you but
stole the hides But tel the trutl
when | say it is the first time / eve
was thief.
LET it be the last my friend" re
piled William Savery. THE secre
lies between ourselves. Thou art still
young. and it is in thy power to max
up for lost time. Promise me tina
you will not drink any intoxicatin,
liquor for a year, and L will emplo
thee tomorrow on good wages, Th
{ little boy can pick up stones. Blu
eat bit now and drink some hot col
, fee; perhaps it will keep thee fror
, craving anything stronger tonight
; Doubtless you will find it hard to alb
: stain at first; but keep up bray
heart for the sake of thy children, an
r it will soon become easy. When tho
hast need OF coffee, tell Mary, an
{ she will give it to thee"
' The poor fellow tried to eat an
/ drink, but the food seemed to chok
him. After vainly trying to compos
' his feelings, he bowed his head on til
y table, and wept like child. After
little while he ate and drank, and b
= host parted with him for the nigl
s with the friendly words, TRY to 4
/ well, John, and thou wilt always fin
q friend in me-" John entered h
employ the next day, and remains