The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-05-07
The Quaker's Corn-Crib.

Ybo Queker'0 Cox0-Cx1b.
A man had been in the habit of steal.
ing corn from his neighbor, who was q
Quaker. Every night he would go soft
ly to the crib and ill his bag with the
ears which the good old Quakcr's toll
had placed there. Every morning the
old gentleman observed diminution Of
his corn pile. This was very annoying
and must be stopped-but how? Many
o one would hive said: "Taks o gun,
conceal yourself, wait till he comes. and
fire." Others would have said: ''Catch
the villsin, and have him sent to Jail. :"
But the Quaker was not prepared to
enter into any such severe measures.
He wanted to punish tho offender. and
ct the same time bring about his refor.
nation, il possible. So he fixed sort
of trap close to one hole through which
the man would thrust his arm in getting
the corn.
The wicked neighbor proceeded on
his unholy errand at the hour of mid.
night with bag in hand. Unsuspecting-
ly, he thrust his hand into the crib to
seize an ear, when 10! he found himself
unable to withdraw it In vain he tug
ged and pulled. and swcated, amt alter
nately cried and cursed. His hand was
fast, and every effort to release it only
made it the more secure. After time
the tumult in his breast measurably
subsidized. He gave over his struggles.
and began to look around him. All
was silence and rcpose. Good men
were sleeping soundly in their comfort
able beds, while lie was compelled to
keep Q drcary, disgraceful watch
through the remainder of that long and
tedious night, his hand in constant pain
from the pressure of tho clamp which
held it. His tired limbs, compelled to
sustain his weary body, would fain have
sunk beneath him, and his heavy eyes
would have closed in slumber, but no!
there was no rest. no sleep for him.
There he must stand and watch the
progress Of the night, and at once desire
and dread the return of morning.
Morning came at last, and tho Quaker
looked out Of his window and found he
had "caught his man."
What was to be donef Some would
say, go ont and give him good cow
hiding Just q he stands, and then re.
lease him; that'll cure him." But not
so said the Quaker. Such o course
would have sent the man away embit-
tered and muttering curses of revenge.
The good old man hurried on his clothes
and started at once to the relief and
punishment of the prisoner.
GOOD morning. friend, said he, as he
came in speaking distance. How does
thee do?"
The poor culprit made no answer,
but burst into tears.
"Oh, fie!" said the Quaker, Is he
proceeded to release him. I'm sorry
thee has got thy hand fast. Thee put
it in the wrong place or it would not
have been so."
The man looked crestfallen, and beg.
ging forgiveness. hastily turned to make
his retreat. Stay" said his persecut-
or, for he was now becoming such to
the offender. who could have received q
blow with much better grace than the
kind words which were falling from the
Quaker's lips. "Stay, friend. thy bag is
not filed. Thee needs corn or thee would
not have taken SO much pains to get it.
Come, let us fill it, and the poor fellow
was obliged to stand and hold the bag
while the old man filled it, interspers-
ing the exercises with the pleasantest
conversation imaginable-dff OF which
were like daggcrs in the heart Of his
chagrined and mortified victim. The
bug was filled, the string tied, and the
sufferer hoped soon to ls out of tho
presence of his tormentor; but again
his purpose was thwarted.
"Stay," said the Quaker, rs tho man
was about to hurry of. having mutter-
ed once more his apologies and thanks.
.Stay, Ruth has breakfast ere this
thee must not think Of going without
breakfast; come, Ruth is calling"
This WAS almost unendurablel This
WAS heaping on Goals with vengeance
In vain the mortified neighbor begged
to be excused. In vain he plead to he
released from what would be to him
Q punishment ten times moro severe
than stripes and imprisonment. The
Quaker was memorable and he wa
obliged to yield.
Breakfast over, ''Now," said the
old farmer, as he helped the victim
to shoulder the bag, ''if thee need any
more corn, come in the daytime and
thee shall have it,"
With what shame and remorse did
that guilty man turn from the dwelling
of the pious Quaker. Everybody is
ready to say that he never again troubled
The Quaker's corn-crib. l have some
thing still better than that to tell you.
He at once relented and reformed, and
my informant tells ME that he after
ward heard him relate, in an expert.