Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-04-06

THE QUAKER AND THE ROBBER.
Translated from the French,
BY R. Z. A. ATLEE.


She was not quite seventeen years Of age; was
charmingly fair; had blue eyes and possessed
as much modesty as beauty. All the young
men Of her fathers acquaintance were her sui
tors; all those Of her neighborhood sought to
gain her notice.-Vain sfFousl Mary was no
coquette; and instead Of ENJOYING the effect pro.
duced by her charms, she was vexed on account
Of the manners Of all her admirers except one,
Edward Weres(ord, young artist admitted 10
the intimacy Of the family.
A very simple event had caused this friend
ship. premature death had carried off the
Quaker's wife. She was young and beautiful;
and desiring to perpeluate the image Of her who
was so dear TO him, he had caused the artist TO
come to the bed Of death. Ii was there that
Edward saw the desolale damseI; it was there a
serious love first took place, amidst the tears OF
the one and the pious work Of the other. The
years which elapsed after this epoch, had streng.
thened 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 inclinatons of the TWO
young persons. Without being rich, Edward
support family honorably. His father, Mr..
WereSford, an old merchant OF the city, had re.
tired from business with fortune increased
more than tenlold. This was a rare example
of rapid success in SpecuIations, so rapid, in.
deed, that few were able to follow It's progress.
Yet WeresGord of so blunt and stern disposition
lived alone in a suburb Of London and without
caring what his son was doing left him entirely y
at liberty. He was one Of those accommoda.
ting egoIists who trouble no one, provided they
trouble not them-persons Of perfect complais-
ance if you ask nothing Of them.
Edward, therefore, could, without hindrance,
court his pretty Quakeress, we'll assured that his
father would never think of opposing his mar.
riage. The situation of the loving couple was,
10 all appearance very prosperous and honest
Toby did not put off the day of their marriage
longer than 10 collect the afrearages Of his
rents; he destined this money for the extraordl.
nary expenses Of the ceremony. For this pur.
pose he went TO his country seat, some miles
from London in order to regulate 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 horseman, who
had barred the road. He stopped, uncertain
whether TO go on or turn back. Meanwhile the
horseman advanced towards him. The Quaker
could mol even think Of escaping; he therefore,
put on good face, and brought his horse 10 a
walk. In approaching the man who caused his
uneasiness, he perceived that he was masked, a
grevious augury, which was soon confirmed.
The unknown showed a pistol, and directed the
muzzl0 10 the traveller, demanding his purse.
The Quaker did not want courage, but calm by
character, inofensive by religion, and even un-
able, without arms TO resist an armed man, he
pulled from his pocket very coolly purse con.
tainingtwelve guineas-The robbert took il coun.
led the pieces, and left the poor devil whom he
mad stopped, to pass on while he put his horse
to the trot. But the robber, seeing the slight re.
sistance. that He had opposed and allured by the
hope Of second booty, Immediately rejoined
honest Toby, placed himself anew in his way,
and presenting his pistol as before, cried Ou. TO
him,
"Your watchl"
The Quaker, surprised, was nevertheless un-
moved. He coolly took his watch from the fob
looked at the hour and put the costly article in.
to the hand of the robber saying,
"Now, beseech thee, permit me TO go to my
dwelling-my daughter will be uneasy at nv
absence"
"A moment" replied the masked cavalier
the more and more hardened by this dociiiy;
"swear TO me that you have no other sum"
81 never swear" said the Quaker.
"Very we'll. Affirm that you have no other
money, and on the faith of an honest robber, in.
capable Of taking by violence from man whc
yields with so good grace, | will let you con
1inue your journey"
Toby reflected moment and shook his head
"What thinkest thou" said he gravely, "thor
hast discovered that am Quaker and that
will not betray the truth, though at the peril o
my life. Thus declare tothee that have un
der my saddle cloth a sum of two hundred
pounds sterling."
"TwO hundred pounds sterling!" cried tht
robber whose eyes sparked through his mask.
"But if thou art good as thou art kind" re-
piled the poor Quaker, "thou wilt leave me thi'
money. wish to establish my daughter anC
this sum is necessary; for long time shal
not have similar sum at my disposal. Tht
dear child loveth her intended, end il will 0e cru
ell TO delay this union. Thou hast heart
thou hast loved peradventure, and thou would 5
not commit this wicked act"
"What care for your daughter and her lbv
er, and their marriagel Less talk and NOR
Prompdtude of execution! must have ,hi
money"
Toby, with sigh, lifted the cloth, took bal
heavy enough, and passed it slowly to the mas
ked man. His intention then was to galIop of
"Stop again, friend Quaker" said the other
laying his hand upon the bride; "as soon as yO
arrive you will denouncc me to the magistrate:
: This is according to order, having nothing /
say; butt must have the advance Of the process
to night at least. My mare is feeble, and il
besides fGtigued; your horse on the contrary az
pears vigorous for the weigh. Of this bag doe
not incommOde him. Align. and give me you
beast; you may take mine if you will"
He was very slow in beginning to comply
because these cross exlgencies were of nasur
to raise the cholsr Of the most patient MAI
e The good Toby, however, descended and rG