GOOD EFFECT OF CREDULITY.
{"newspaper_name": "American watchman and Delaware advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": "A TRUE STORY."}
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There lived some years ago in the town Of, In
Connecticut, man who was much addicted to the
practice of converting his neighbors property to his
own use benefit without If or and The clergyman
Of The town suspecting him of making too free with
his hay. had one night concealed himself in his barn
with his dark lantern. The thief soon appeared,
and tying up large bundle, had just left the pres
misses, when the Rev owner, instead Of bawling ou,s
/" you scoundrel you what do you mean by stealing
nv hay!" dsengaged the candle from the lantern
and dexerousy applied il TO the combusiible load.
The bundle was soon in bright blaze and the un-
lucky fellow, suspecting that he was pursued by
some person with light, laid his feet TO the ground
with uncommon agility. But It was in vain to es-
cape the pursuing fire. The blaze increasing IN
brightness he ran, seemed TO his terrified imagi.
naon to come nearer till yenturing to look round


to discover the extent OF his danger he perceived to
his asonishment that the stolen hay was on fire.
conscious guilt assisted his natural creduliiy, he set
tied down upon the conclusion, that the fire was
sent from heaven to admonish him OF his ransgres.
sions. Full OF this alar ming notion he gave himself
40 rest until he had gone to the pnrson and made
confession OF his crime and related the supposed
extraordinary and terrible warning from heaven.--


The Rev. gentleman humoured his credulity, IN,
der the idea that it might reform his lfe-He was


not mistaken for the blazing hay bad made SO
deep an impression on the poor fellows mind that
from thenceforth he forsook his evil courses be.


came valuable member of society, and was united


to the fiock OF the iudicious clergyman, who hao


sisted so materially in his reformation. He finally


died an honest man, in the firm belief of the inter-


position oil Poyider6e in setting fire to the stolen
] hay The parson kept the secret till the poor man


wa. laid in the DUST but then even the clerical


tongue could no longer resist the desire of commu


nicating SO curious an incident.