The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-17
From the Mammoth Saturday Gazette.]
THE QUAKER AND THE ROBBER.

1ransaIeu IIOsn tne FRENCH BY H. T. A. ATLEE
The most honest of all Quakers, Toby Symptom,
lived at London, in a pleasant u title dwelling,
graced by the presence of his daUg sler Mary She
was not quite seventeen years of age was charm
ingly fair; had blue eyes, and possessed as much
modesty as beauty. All the young men OF her
fathers acquaintance were her suitors; all those OF
the neghborhood sought to gain her notice VAN
efforts! Mary was no coquette; and, instead OF
enjoying the effect produced by her charms, she was
vexed on account of the manners OF all her admI-
rers except one, Edward Weresford, young artist
admitted to the intimacy OF the iamiiy:
A very simple event had caused this friendship.
A premature death had carried OH the Quaker's
to perpetua9 the image Of her who wae so dear to
him, he had caused the artist to come to the bed of
death. 1t was there that Edward saw the desol
damsel it was there serious love first took place,
amidst the tears of the one and the pous work of
the other. The year which elapsed after this epoch,
had but strengthened the bond formed under these
auspices, and the young man had avowed to the
father both his desire and hope.
The excellent Toby had no reason whatever for
opposing the mutual inclinations of the two young
persons. Without being rich, Edward earned by
means of his pencil, what suf1iced to support fam
lily honorabIy. His father, Mr.. Weresford, an old
merchant of the city, had retired from business with
a fortune increased more than tentold. This was
a rare-exampe of rapid success in speculations, 50
rapid, indeed, that few were able to follow its pro-
greSS. Yet efeS10f0, OF SO Dlunt anu stern
sition, lived alone in suburb of London, and with
out caring what his son was doing, left him entirely
at liberty. He was one of those accommodating
cyclists who trouble no one, provided they trouble
not them-persons of perfect complasance if you
ask nothing of them.
Edward, therefore, could, without hindrance,
court his pretty Quakeress, well assured that his
father would never think of opposing his marriage
The situation of the loving couple was, to all APP
pearance, very prosperous; and honest Toby did
- put off the day of their marriage longer than to
toect the arrearages of his rents he destined this
money for the extraordinary expenses of the cere-
mony. For this purpose he went to Lis country
seat, some ten miles from London, in order to regu
late his affairs. He had passed but one day away
from home, and as he was about TO put up his horse
for the night, he perceived at some distance horse
man, who had barred the road. He stopped un
certain whether to go on or turn back. Meanwhile
the horseman advanced towards him. The Quaker
could not even think of escaping he, therefore,
put good face, and brought his horse to
walk. In approaching the man who caused his un
easiness, he perceived that he was masked grew
GUS augury, which was soon confirmed. The I'M
known showed pistol, and directed the muZZle to
the traveller, demanding his purse. The Quaker
did not want courage, but calm by character, inof
fensive by religion and even unable, without arms,
to resist an armed man, he pulled from his pocket
very coOlly a purse containing twelve guineas.
The robber took it, counted the pieces, and left the
poor devil whom he had stopped, to pass on, while
he put his horse to the trot But the robber seeing
the slight resistance that he had opposed, and al
lured BY the hope Of second booty, Immediately
rejoined honest Toby, placed himself anew in his
way, and presenting his pistol as before, cried out
to him,
"Your watchn'
The Quaker, surprised, was nevertheless un-
moved. He cuolly took his watch from the fob,
looked at the hour, and put the costly article into
the hand of the robber, saying,
Now heseach thee hermit m tn 90 IN nv
dwelling-my daughter will be uneasy at my abb
sence."
ga moment" replied the masked cavalier, the
more and pore hardened by this docility; 81 swear
TO me thaS tou have no other sum"
81 never swear" said the Quaker.
every well. Affirm that you have no other
money, and on the faith of an honest robber, inca
pable of taking by violence from man who yields
with SO good grace, will let you continue your
Journey"
Toby reflected a moment and shook his head
"What thnkest thou,'' said he gravely, thou
hast discovered that l am Quaker, and that |
will not betray the truth, though at the peril OF
my life. Thus l declare to thee that have under
my saddle-cloth sum of two hundred pounds
sterling"
"Two hundred pounds sterling % cried the rob-
Der, while his eyes sparkled through his mask
60 But if thou art good as thou art kind, replied
the poor Quaker, ' thou wilt leave me this money
wish to establish my daughter, and this sum is
necessary for long time shall not have SINH
lar sum at my disposal The dear child lOveth her
Intended, and it will be cruel to delay this union
| Thou hast heart-thou hast loved, peradventure.
| andf1npu would'st not commit this wicked act"
''>What care l for your daughter and her lover
and their marriage! Less talk, and more prompti-
tude of execution! must have this money"
Toby, with a sigh, lifted the cloth, took bag
heavy enough, and passed it slowly to the masked
| man. His intention then was to gallop off.
"Stop again, friend Quaker" said the other
laying his hand upon the brido 6 as soon as you
arrive, you will denounce meW the magistrates
but must have the advance of the process. to NIGH
at least. My mare is feeble, and is, besides, IA
| tigued your horse, on the contrary, appears Wig
orous, for the weight of this bag does not incom
mode him. Aght and give me your beast; you
may take mine, if you will"
| He was very slow in beginning to comply, be
| cause these cross exigencies were of a nature tt
raise the choler of the most patient man. The
good Toby, however, descended, and resignedly
took the sorry jade which was left him in exchange
=" If had KNOWN" he contented himself in think
ing, would have fled at the first rencontre witt
this rogue, and certainly it is not with this course
| that he would have gained in the race"
During this time the masked man, ironically
! thanking him for his complaisance, applied botl
| spurs and disappeared.
| Before he reached London, Toby had time to re
fleet on his misfortune, on the chagrin of the tw,
| young pcrSODS WHO lONeu, anu WHOSE ndpplIleS
would be put of. The sum taken from him wa
irrecoveraby lost Not the least of it could be rs
| gained, nor could the audacious robber be recos
nized. Meanwhile, as sudden idea struck him
he stopped
eyes," said he, "this mean may succeed.
4 this man liveth in London, l may peradventur,
meet him again. Heaven, no doubt, hath willed
| that he should have been so very imprudent ,"
Somewhat consoled by know not what hope
| Toby went home without showing any trouble, o
saying aught of his adventure. He did not go tt
the magistrate, but embraced his daughter, wht
suspected nothing, lay down and slept. His faitl
was in God.
Next day he secretly thought of cooperating witt
| Providence in making research. He let the mar,
out of the stable where she had passed the night
and threw the bride over her neck, in hope tina
the ANIMAL led by habit, would naturally go TO thu
house of her master. He therefore sent off the
poor beast, which had been fasting, to wander a
large through the streets of London, and followed
her. But he supposed her to have more instinc
than she had !; for long time she went right ant
left, making a thousand turns and returns, withou
aim, without direction, sometimes at a stand. ther
| fal-,. NJ,