South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1885-04-24
The Quaker's Corn Crib.

The Quakers Corn Crib.
A man had teen in the habit Of steal.
ing corn from his neighbor, Who VAS n
Quaker Every nigh, be would 60 soft.
iy to tue crib and Gil his bag with the
cars which the good old Quaker's toll
had placed there. Every morning the
old ger tleman observed diminu,ion OF
his corn pile. This was very annoying
and mus be stopped-but bow? MANY
one would have said: Take q gun,
conceal yourself, wait till he comes, and
ire. Others ~ould have eaid: ,atch
the villain and have him sen, to ia.l.'
hut the Quaker was not prepared TO
eater into Any such severe measures.
ii wanted to punish the offender, and
at the same time bring about HIS refor.
nation, III possible. So he fixed sort
oil trap, close 10 one hole through which
the man would thrust his arm in getting
the corn.
The wicked neighbor proceeded on
his unholy e'rand at the hour of mid
night with bag in hand. disappearing
~ he thrust his hand into the crib TO
seize an ear. when 10: he found Kim
self unable TO withdraw it! In vain
ne tugged aud pulled, and sweatcd,
and alternately cried and cursed. His
hand was fast, and every effort TO re-
lease 1t only made i. the more secure.
After time tho tumult in his breas,
measurably subsidized. He gave over
his struggles and began TO look around
him. Ali was silence and repose.
Oood men were sleeping soundly in
their comfortable beds. while lie was
compelled 10 keep dreary, disgracefuI
watch through the remainder of that
long and tedious night. his hand in con.
stant PAIN f.om the pressure OF he
clamp which held il. His tired limbs.
compelled 10 sustain his weary boty.
you'd fsin have sunk beneath him. and
his heavy eyes would have closed in
s'umbcr, but no there was no rest. no
sleep for biT. There be must stand
and watch the progress Of the night,
and st once desire and dread The return
OF morning. Morning came q, last and
the Quaker looked out of his window
and found he had caught his man
What was TO be done? Some would
say, Go OF and give him q good cow
hiding just M he stands. and then re.
lea-e him; thstll cure him. But not
20 said tue Quaker. Such a course
would have sent tho man away embit.
tered and mutteriog curses of revenge.
ihe good old nsn hurried on his clothes
and started st oGce TO the relief and
punishment of the prisoner.
'dood morning, friend sad be, as he
came IN speaking distance. How does
thee dor
The poor culprit made 90 answer, but
burst into tears.
oh be said the Quaker, as he pro-
ceeded TO release bin. Il sm sorry
thee has got thy hand fast. Thee put
u IN the wrong place or it would not
have been So
The man lot ked cresi-fallen. and
begging forgiveness. hastily turned TO
make his retreat. Stay, said his per-
secutor, for be wss now becoming such
TO the offender, whe could have received
a blow With much better grace than the
kind words which we're falling frJn the
Quaker's lips Stay. friend, thy bag is
not filled Thee nee6s corn or thee
would not have taken 60 much pains 20
get 1t. Come, let US GIL IT, and the
poor fellow vas compelled to stand aod
hold the bag while the old man Gllod
~, interpreting ;be exercises With The
plsassntest conversation Imaginable
all OF which we're like daggeTs in the
heart CT bis chagrinsd and mortified
victim. The bag was filed, the string
tied and the sufferer hoped soon 20 be
out OF the presence OF his tormen.er:
out again his purpose was thvsrted.
stay, said tho Quaker. az the man
was about 70 hurry of. having muttered
once more hi apologies and thanks.
stay, Roth has breakfast ere this
thee must not think Of going withou.
breakfast; come, Ruth is calling.
This was alno Z uncomfortable This
Eas heapiDg on Goals with q vengeance
n vain the mortified neigbbor begged 10
be excused. In vain he begged 10
De released from What would bs to him /
punishment tsb times more severe
than stripes and imprisonment. The 4
Qusksr was memorable AID be va.
obliged to yield.
Breakfast over, Now, said the old
farmer, as he helped the victim 70 shout.
der the bag, 10 thee need any more
corn come in the dsy-iine and thee
shall have it.
With what shame and remorss d'd
that guilty man turn from she dwelling