The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-08-28
The quaker and the Robber.

The most honest Of all Quakers, Jonathan
Simpson, inhabited in London, small, pretty
house, with his daughter, a young girl, scarcely
eighteen years Of age. Mary was beautiful
blonde, with large blue eyes, us wise as she was
beautiful. She was constantly surrounded by .
host Of admirers, anxious to win her heart, but
their efforts were in vain. Mary was not CO.
quette, and far from enjoying the effect produc-
ed BY her charms, she was often annoyed by it.
Edward Weresford, young artist, intimate in
the family, was the only one whose society she
really enjoyed.
A very simple occurrence had been the cause
ofthis intimacy A sudden and unexpected
death had carried away the Quaker's wife, still
young and beautiful; and anxious to preserve
the image Of one SO beautiful; and anxious to
preserve the image Of one SO dear to him, he had
called the young artist to his death bed. It was
there that Edward had seen, for the first time,
the young and disconsolate girl, and there their
attachment first sprang into life, amid the tears
Of one, and the heartfelt sympathies Of the 9TH
err A year had scarcely elapsed, when the
young artist made known to the father Of Mary
his desires and hopes.
The good Jonathan saw no reason to oppose
the mutual inclination Of the two lovers. With
out being rich, Edward, with the aid of his pen
Gil, was amply able to support family. HIS
father, Mr. Weresford, was one of the Oldest in
habitants Of the city, had retired from business
with large fortune his was rare instance of
rapid success in speculations, SO rapid, indeed,
that few had been able to follow his progress.
His manners were rough and uncouth, and he
lived alone in the outskirts of London, without
troubling himself about his son; he was one of
those peculiar men, who trouble nobody, in or
der not to be troubled themselves, and was toll
erably good natured if no .favors were required
of him.,
Edward, cure that his father would readily
consent to his marriage with the pretty quaker
ess, was anxiously awaiting the day that should
seal their union. za
Jonathan Simpson, who owned large farms in
the neighborhood of London, started one morn
ing to collect a large sum of money which he
designed for the expenses Of the wedding. He
was absent only through the day, and as he was
returning after dark, on horseback, he perceiv-
ed at a short distances man standing in the
middle of the road, evidently for no good pur-
pose, He stopped, hesitating whether to 60 on
or turn back. In the mean time the man was
advancing towards him, and fight seemed i'm
possible; he therefore determined to make the
best oft and 60 slowly on As he approached
nearer, he perceived the man was masked
The unknown drew pistol and pointing it to-
wards him, demanded his purse. The Quaker
lacked not courage, but naturally calm and in
he drew from his pocket purse containing IL
guineas, and gave it to the thief, who, counting
the money, allowed the traveller to pass and pro-
ceeded on his journey. But the robber, seeing
the little resistance that had been made, and in
hope Of second SPOIL soon overlook the hon
est Jonathan, placed himself across the road and
pointing his pistol at the traveller,
"Your watch' said he.
The Quaker was surprised but not frightened.
He coolly pulled his watch from his pocket,
looked at the time, and handing it to the robber,
s.Now, J" said he 'allow me to 90 home, pray
thee; my daughter will feel anxious at my abb
sence.'
..One minute" replied the thief, more and
more enboldened by this GOODNESS, "swear you
have no other money.
81 never swear" replied the Quaker
swell, affirm that you have no other money,
and upon my word, as am incapable of using
violence towards man who yields with SO much
grace, will let you go on
Jonathan thought moment and shook his
head. -r.e-
Whoever thou art, replied he grayely, "thou
hast guessed that am quaker, and that not
even for my life would forsake the truth. -
Now, must tell thee, that have underneath
my saddle, two hundred pounds sterling
1.-TWO hundred pounds - exclaimed the thief,
whose eyes flashed under his mask
sBut if thou art good, if thou art human
continued the Quaker " thou wilt leave me this
money; my daughter is going to be married,
and will not be able to regain such sum for
a long time. The dear girl loves her betrothed
and it would be cruel to put off their union );
thou hast heart, thou hast loved, perhaps, and
thoucan not commit such cruel action
"What in the ID do care for your daugh-
ter, her lover or their marriageo / want the
money and must have il at ONCE
Jonathan, with sad heart, lifted the saddle,
took heavy bag from underneath it, gave it to
the thief, and started on gallop.
"Stop minute, my friend" cried the robber,
Selling the bride. GAS soon as you arrive home,
you will go straight to denounce me to the mag
istrates; that is all right, and have nothing to
say to it, but it is important, you know, that
should 60 ahead Of YOU My horse is tired and
almost worn out; yours, on the contrary, seems
~ this heavy bag of gold; alght, then, pray
thee, and let me 60 on thy horse; yon may take
mine afterwards if you choose
1t was too late to offer any resistance, Jona-
than quietly dismounted, saying to himself with
resignation, of i had known it before, how ca
sily might have escaped from this rascal; for
with such horse, he could certainly never have
overtaken me.
In the mean time, the masked man, thanking
him ironically Tor ms kindness, started OFT at
full gallep, and soon disappeared.
Z Before reaching London, the unhappy travel
or had time to think Of his misfortune, and of
the poor lovers, SO fond Of each other and whose
happiness must unavoidably be postponed
The money Of which he had been robbed was
forever lost to him, for he had no means of iden-
tifying the robber, should he ever happen to
come across him. A sudden idea struck him,
however, and he stopped.
eyes, he exclaimed, 81 may yet succeed
1.-THE rascal stops in London, may, perhaps
discover him. How could he be so imprudent?"
His spirits thus raised by, know not what
hope OF success, Jonathan reached home, as if
nothing had happened, and whispered not
word Of his adventure. He did not go to the
magistrate, but kissed his daughter, who sus
pected nothing, went to bed and slept soundly
till morning, trusting in Divine Providence for
the rest.
Then morning, however, he thought he
might perhaps help Providence, and began to
make enquiries. He took the horse out of the
stable where he had remained all night and
threw the bride loose upon its neck, in hopes
that it would naturally go straight to its masters
house, He allowed the poor animal, who had
had nothing to eat, to wander through the streets
Df London, and he followed after But soon