Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-03-04
The Ki,sd-Hearted Tanner.


The following incident is so beautiful
and touching. that it should be read in
every household in the country. 1t de-
velops 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 this sublime
trait in the character of the kind-hearted
Quaker.
William Savory, an eminent minister
among the Quakers, was tanner by
trade. One night quantity of hides
were stolen from his tannely. and he had
reason to believe that the thief was n
quarrclsome. drunken neighbor. called
John Smith. Next week the following
advertisement appeared in the county
newspaper
whoever stole a quantity Of hides
on the fifth Of this month is hereby in
formed tha, the owner has sincere de-
sire to be his friend. II poverty tempt
ed him to this false step. the owner will
keep the whole transaction secret, and
will gladly pu. him in the way Of obtain.
ing means more likely to bring him peace
OF mind"
This singular advertis sement 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 nj
wha, he had done. A few nights after
ward. 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 on his shoulders. Without looking
up. he said
Il have brought these back. Mr.. Saw
cry; where shall put them'"
"Wait until can get n lantern. and |
will 90 to the barn with thee" he replied !;
"then perhaps thou wilt come in and
tell me how this thing happened. We
will see what can be done for thee"
AS soon as they were gone out, his
wife prepared some ho. coffee. and placed
pies and meat on the table. When they
returned from the barn. she said
"Neighbor Smith, I thought some hot
supper would be good for thee"
He turned his back toward 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 ever stole any
thing, and l have felt very bad abont it.
am sure didn't once think that should
ever come TO what am. But took to
drinking. and then to quarrelling. S.nce
began to go down hill everybody gives
me a kick. You are the first man that
has ever given me helping hand. Ny
wife is sickly and my children starving.
You have sent them many meal. God
bless you! but yet l stole the hides.
But l tell you the truth when say II is
the first time was ever n thief"
LET it be the last, my friend" replied
William Savery. The secret lies be-
tween ourselves. Thou art still young,
and it Is in thy power to make up for lost
time. Promise me thou wilt not drink
any intoxicating liquor for a year. and |
will employ thee tomorrow on good
wages. Thy little boy can pick up stones.
But eat q bit now and drink some coffee; ;
perhaps it will keep thee from craving
any thing 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 wept
like child After q while 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 employ 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.