The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-07-30
THE ROBBER OF HAIsTEAD wOOD.

\ Our scene opens upon highway nearly
| three leagues from London. The shades OF
evening were fast setting when horseman
! bestridlng q noble steed, who seemed quite
exhausted by his day S journey, entered the
avenue leading through Halstead Wood and
! the young man-fOr he seemed scarcely twen-
| ty-two years Of age--as he entered the forest
now made gloomy by the darkness Of the fall |
ing night, drew from his head his richly en- |
brOidered cap of velvet, and as he wiped from |
his brow the perspiration, he murmured
"But a short distance, now my good steed |
aud our journey is ended. 'Tis a long time
since | left the city of my birth and my pa
rents and sweet sster-God forbid that aught
should have befallen them during my absence
will scarcely know me. But | will give
them surprise-ah that will be delightful;
and as he spoke, he again placed his cap upon
his head, and started on at brisker pace.
But scarcely had he proceeded ten rods,
when, from the thicket on the right, man,
whose face was covered with mask, rushed
from his conCealment, and ere the traveller
was aware OF his presence, sieZed the horse by |
his bride, and with a powerful jerk, nearly |
threw him upon his launches; then leveling
directly at the strangers breast heavy pistol,
he exclaimed:
Instantly deliver up the money in your
possession, or your life will pay the forfeit "
The young mans eyes flashed with passion
for moment, then spurring his horse, which |
| gave a spring forward, he leaped with bound
/ from his saddle and ere the robber, whose
attention had been for an instant directed to
! the horse, could prevent it, or before his arm
| could be raised, one hand Of the traveller was
fairly gripped upon his throat, and the other
pinioning the arm which held the pistol.
Fiercely did the robber struggle in his en-
deavors to free himself from the young mans
hold but twas all in vain he might as well
have attempted to move a rock. Soon his face
turned to a purple hue, and as he vainly en-
deavored to utter a sentence, he opened his
hand, the pistol fell upon the ground, and he
turned his eyes with an imploring look upon
his captor Nor was it uuheeded, for the
young man unloOsed his hold from the rob-
! ber's throat, and drawing from his pocket :
handkerchief, he firmly bound the hands o.
, his captive; and then taking the loaded pistO
from he ground, he placed it within his owT
I bosom.
The robber, as his captor stepped from him
sank upon the turf, and to the astonishment Of
the young man, buried his face in his bound
hands, and burst into a flood of tears.
"Alas poor Marian he sobbed, you will
now starve, and l, oh heavens will not be
"Starve - Marian " repeated the young
man. whose astonishment was great "by all
that good have a sister by that name, and
she of whom you speak shall not starve. Tell
me, my good man, why did you attempt to rob
me? You seem not like a common villain"
Neither am |, - said the robber, lifting his
head at the words of the young man.
"Then why, again ask, did you attempt
my robbery
'I will tell you, as you desire it, and God
knows it is all truth. Two years ago was
clerk in the employ of wealthy, Influential
firm in London. At the mansion of the junior
partner, one evening made the acquaintance
Of beautiful young lady, daughter of rich
merchant. Our intimacy Tipened into love,
and we became pledged to one another. Thus
our affairs stood, when the father Of my Ma
rian became acquainted with the fact, and for
bid me his house was but an humble clerk,
he said, and not a match for her whose affec-
tions had gained. But the sternness Of the
father altered not the feelings of the daughter,
for in few weeks we effected an elopement,
and then Marian became my wife.
" Her father from that moment would never
see her face; and he declared that not pound
, Of his wealth should ever be bestowed upon his
! ungrateful girl. BY his Vaccinations, also,
, lost my situation, and, six mouths hence, lef
! the employ of my hitherto kind ,benefactOr.-
1 Oh, God the agony Of mind have since en-
dured would have maddened my brain, hat
v not my gentle Marian been uppermost in m
thoughts. For many weeks have sought EN-
8 ployment, but could not gain it, Since yes
! terday, myself aud wife have tasted no food
Y and to-day-Heaven forgive me the actl--
+ started from the city determined to rob. 70
! can see how | have succeeded; and yet than
God you overpOwered me. Had it not bee
le for my wife, l would never have attempte
ls this; but | could not sec her starve-I coul
l. not p and as he concluded, he again sobbe
at like child.
N " Nor shall shel'' cried the young man. &C
a. know not but you are playing me false, but
~ can scarcely believe it. Forgive me, howeve
i, if | take proper precaution against treaci
A. cry"
As he spoke he again mounted his hors
" and bidding his prisoner to go on before, the
'I started on their way to London.
lg Lead me to your own dwelling" he cor
A. continued, as they departed from the spo
IS, and if | find you have told me the truti
It. you shall not suffer.
h. "Thank you! thank you!" was all the over
10 powered man could reply, and they prOeeede
TX on in silence.
The bells Of the city were striking the hou
er Of ten when two men arrived at the Outsklrt
to of London DismOunting from his wearled
or horse, which he left in the hands Of the host
b, Ter of an humble inn, the young man followed
La the footsteps of the robber, keeping coutlou'
:. eve upou him, lest he should attempt to escape
by darting down one Of the many filthy lanes
IA IN the vicinity. But such a thought never en-
n tered the breast of the prisoner for he led his
= captor on through several streets till stopping
4 before miserable tenement, whose ancient
= walls seemed as if about to fall to the ground
II he turned and said:
\ ''This is the place where for three weeks
n myself and wife have been obliged to remain
! deprived Of every comfort, and even the neces.
= saFies Of life. But do not let me 60 into thl
I presence Of Marian with my hands thus bound
4 for heaven e sakel kindsir, unbind them, fo
! should she see them thus, she would know tina
s was erimiualp' u
q A tear stood in the young mans ewes as h
3 proceeded to do as requested for he felt tia
such words could never come from guilty anl
depraved being; Pushing aside the riekett,
4 door as soon Is bis haHds were free, the poo
' man entered the wrstehed abode, followed b
he stranger. Passing through sort Of hal