The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-05-09
S U N D Az r EADING.
The Stolen Hides.

NJ LILLIAN SANERY, an eminent
w preacher among the Quakers, was
tanner by trade, and known by all as
"one who walked humbly with his God"
One night quantity of hides were stolen
from his tannery and he had reason to
believe that the thief was quarrelsome
drunken neighbor, whom | shall call
John Smith. The next week the follow
ing advertisement appeared in the county
newspaper:
Whoever stole quantity of hides
on the 9th of the present month, is here
by 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 affair a secret, and will gladly
put him in the way of obtaining money
by means more likely to bring him peace
of mind"
This singular advertisement attracted
considerable attention; but the culprit
alone knew who had made the kind of
fer. When he read it, his heart melted
within him. and he was filled with sor-
row for what he had done A few nights
afterward, as the tanners family were
about retiring to rest, they heard a timid
knock and when the door was opened,
there stood John Smith, with load of
hides on his shoulder. Without looking
up, he said, " have brought these back,
Mr.. Savery where shall put them?"
"Wait till | can get lantern, and |
will go to the barn with thee," he re-
piled :" 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
returned from the barn, she said,
"Neighbor Smith, 1 thought some hot
supper would be good for thee" He
turned his back toward her, and did not
speak. After leaning against the fire.
place in silence few moments, he said
in choked voice, 1t is the first time l
ever stole anything, and L have felt very
bad about it. am sure L didn't once
think that should ever come to what I
am. But took to drinking, and then
to quarrcling. Since began to go down
hill, everybody gives me a kick. You
are the first man that has ever offered me
a helping hand My wife is sickly, and
my children are starving, You have sent
them many a meal God bless you; and
yet stole the hides. But tell you the
truth, when say it is the first time 1
was ever thief"
"Let it be the last my friend" re-
piled William Savery. The secret still
remains 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. Thy little boy
can pick up stones. But eat a bit and
drink some hot coffee. Perhaps it will
keep 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 become easy.
When thou hast need fcoffee, tell Mary,
and she will always 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 little child. After awhile he
ate and drank, and his host parted with
him for the night, with the friendly
words, I" Try to do we'll, John, and thou
wilt always find friend in me-" He
entered into his employment the next day,
and remained with him many years,
sober, honest, and faithful man. The
secret of the theft was kept between
them; but after Johns death, William
Savery sometimes told the story to show
the power of that love for God and man
which the gospel of Christ inspires
Would to God that all men were as wise, as
patient, as eager to do good, as much like
Christ ns he wns