Lydia Maria Child, Isaac T. Hopper: a true life

[39] ‘walked humbly with his God.’ One night, a quantity of hides were stolen from his tannery, and he had reason to believe that the thief was a quarrelsome, drunken neighbor, whom I will call John Smith. The next week, the following advertisement appeared in the County newspaper: ‘Whoever stole a lot of hides on the fifth of the present 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 transaction secret, and will gladly put him in 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 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 afterward, as the tanner's family were about retiring to rest, they heard a timid knock, and when the door was opened, there stood John Smith with a load of hides on his shoulder. Without looking up, he said, ‘I have brought these back, Mr. Savery. Where shall I put them?’ ‘Wait till I can light a lantern, and I 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 thee.’ As soon as they were gone out, his wife prepared some hot coffee, and placed pies and meat on