Year: 1867




William Savery, an eminent minister
among the Quakers, was tanner by trade.
One night a quantity of hides was stolen
from his tannery, and he had reason to be-


leve that the thief was quarrelsome,
drunken ,nelghbor, called John Smith.
| Next week the following advertisement ap-
peared IN the county newspaper:


w hoover stole quantity of hides on
the fifth of this month, is hereby informed
that the owner has sincere desire 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 on
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 offer. When
he read it, his heart melted within him, and
he was filled with sorrow for what he had
done. A few nights afterwards, as the tan
ner's family were about retiring to rest,
they heard timid knock, and when the
door opened there stood John Smith with
load Of hides on his shoulders Without
looking up, he said &c / have brought these
back, Mr.. Slavery where shall put them 2"


Wait till | can get lantern, and will
go to the barn with thee," he replied !;
:" then perhaps thou wilt come in and tell
me how this happened We will see what
can be done for the. :"


As soon as they were gone out, his wife
prepared some hot coffee, and placed pies
and meat on the table. When they return
ed from the barn, she said g Neighbor
Smith, L thought some hot supper would
be good for thee" He turned his back to-
ward her, and did not speak. After leaning
against the fire place in silence few mo-
nlcnts, he said III choked voice: 1t is
the first time | ever stole anything, and |
have felt very bad about it. | am sure [
didn't once think | should ever come to
what [ am. But | took to drinking and
then to quarreling. Since [ began to go
down bill, everybody gives me a kick You
are the first man that has ever offered me
helping hand. My wife is sickly, and my
children starving. You have sent them
many a meal. God bless you but yet |
stole the hides. But | tell you the truth
when [ say it is the first time [ was ever
thies." Let it be the last, my frie nd, +"
replied William Savery The secret lies
between ourselves. Thou art still young,
and 1t is in thy power to make up for lost
time. Promise me that thou wilt hot drink
any intoxicating liquor for year, and to-
morrow | will employ thee on good wages.
Thy little boy can pick up stones. But eat
a bit now, and drink some hot coffee; per-
haps it will keep thee from craving any
thing stronger tonight. Doubtless thou
wilt find it hard at first but keep up a brave
heart for the sake Of thy wife and children,
and it will become easy. When thou hast
need Of coffee, tell Mary, and she will give
it thee


The poor fellow tried to eat and drink, but
the food seemed to choke him. After vain
y trying to compose his feelings, he bowed
his head on the table, and wept like child
After awhile he ate and drank, and his host
parted with him for the night with the
friendly words, try to do well, John, and
thou wilt always find friend in me" John
entered into his employment the next day,
and remained with him many years, sober
honest, and steady man. The secret of the |
theft was kept between them; but after |
Johns death, William Savery told the sto-
~, to prove that evil might be overcome
with good.