Year: 1868

William Saverv, an eminent minister
among the Quakers, was a tanner by trade.
One night quantity of hides were stolen
from his tannery, and he had reaso on to be-
lievc that the thief was quarrelsome,
drunken neighbor called Joe Smith. Next
week the following advertisement appeared
in the county newspaper:


" whoever stole quantity of hides on the
fifth of this month, is hereby informed that
the owner has a sincere wish to be his friend
If poverty tempted him to this false step.
the owner will keep the whole affair secret,
and will gladly assist lhim to obtain living
by means more likely to bring peace of
mind"


This singular advertisement attracted con-
siderable attention, but the culprit alone
knew who made the offer. When he read it
his heart melted within him, and he was
filed with sorrow at what he had done. A
few nights afterward, MS the tanners family
were about retiring to rest, they heard
timid knock at the door, and when it was
opened there stood Joe Smith, with load of
hides on his shoulders. Without looking up
he said:


81 have brought these back; where shall l
put them?"


''Wait till | get lantern, and l will go
to the barn with thee, and then thou mayest
come in and tell me how this happened We
will see what we can DO for thee"


As soon as they were gone out, his wife
prepared some hot coffee, and placed pies
and meat upon the table. When they return
ed from the barn, she said


''Neighbor Smith, | thought some hot
supper would be good for thee"


He turned his back towards her and did
not speak. After leaning against the fire
place for few moments, he said in choked
voice:


1t is the first time ever stole anything,
and / have felt very badly about it. am
sure that | did not once think that | should
ever come to what l am. But l took to
drinking, and then quarreling. Since be-
gan to 60 down hill everybody gives me a
kick You are the first man that has offered
to lend me helping hand. My wife and
children are sick and starving. You have
sent them many meal. God bless you
But yet stole the hides. But l tell you the
truth when say it is the first time | ever
was thief"


q Let it be the last time" replied William
Savery. ''The secret lies between ourselves.
You are still young, and it is in thy power
to make up for lost time. Promise me that
you will not touch drop of intoxicating
liquor for a year, and | will employ thee
to morrow at good wages. Thy little boy
can 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. When thou hast
need Of coffee, tell Mary and she will give it
to thee"


The poor fellow tried to eat and drink, but
the food seemed to choke him. After vainly
trying to compose himself, he bowed his
head on the table and wept like child.
After while he ate and drank, and his
host parted with him for the night, with the
friendly words, TRY to do well, Joe, and
thou wilt find a friend in me-"
Joe entered his employ the next day, and
remained with him many years sober, hon.
| est and steady man. The secret of the theft
was kept between them until after Joseph's
death. William Sayery sometimes told the
| story to prove that evil might be overcome
with good