The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-12-05
OVERCOMING EVIL WITH
GOOD.

agencies was the preaching of VIM.
Slavery. He was tanner by trade,
but remarked by all who knew him
as man who ''walked humbly with
his God" One night quantity Of
hides were stolen from his tannery ;
and ne had reason to believe that the
thlet was q quarrelsome, drunken
neIghbor, whom I will call John
Smith. The next week the following
advertisement appeared in the county
newspaper ''Whosver stole lot
OF hides on the 9Th of the present
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 obtain
ing money by means more likely to
bring him peace of mind" This
singular advertisement attracted con-
siderable attention; but the culprit
alone knew whence the benevolent
offer came When he read it his
heart melted within him, and he was
filled with contrition for what he had
done. A few nights afterwards, as
the tanners family was about retiring
to rest, they heard a timid knock !;
and when the door was opened there
stood John Smith, with q load of
hides On his shoulder. Without
looking up, he said, "I'vc brought
these back, Nr. Slavery. Where
shall | put them?" "Wait till [ can
light Lantern, and 1 will 60 TO the
barn with thee" he replied s'then
perhaps thou wilt come in and ,ell
me how this happened We will see
what can be done for thee.'' AS soon
az they were gone out his wife pre-
pared some hot coffee, and placed
pies and meat on the table. When
they returned from the barn she said,
''Neighbor Smith. | thought some
hot supper would be rood for thee"
BE turned his back towards her and
would not speak. After leaning
against the Fireplace in silence tor a
moment, he said, in choked voice,
''lt's the first time ever stole any
thing, and | have felt very bad about
it. [ don't know how it is. l am
sure | didn't think once that should
ever come to what | am but | took
to drinking, ami then to quarrelling
Since | began to go down hill every
body gives me kick; you are the
first man who has ever offered me a
helping hand. My wife is sickly, and
my children are starving. You have
sent them meal, God bless Won
and yet stole the hides from you,
meaning to sell them the first chance
could get. But | tell you the truth
when | say it is the first time was
ever thief" "Let it be the last.
my friend" replied William Slavery:
''the secret shall remain betwesn
ourselves. Thou art still 20 ing, and
1t Is IN thy power to make up for lost
time. Promise me that thou wilt not
drink any Intoxicating liquor for
year, and will employ thea to-mor-
row at good wages. Perhaps we may
find some empl yment for thy family
also. The little boy can at least pick
up stones. But eat bit now, 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 of coffee, tell Mary, and
she will always give it thee The
poor fellow tried to eat and drink, but
the food seemed to choke him. After
an Intellectual effort to compose his
excited feelings, he bowed his head on
the table and wept like child AT
ter while he ate and drank with
good appetite; and his host parted
with him for the night with this kind
ly EXPLORATION, TRY to do well, John;
and thou wilt always find friend in
me-" He entered his employ the
next day, and remained with him
many years, sober, honest, and
faithful man. The secret of the