The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-08-21

tie quietly took out purse containing l"eNe
cuincas, and handed it to the robber, who count
cd the pieces, while the victim, glad to have
escaped SO easily, passed at q qnickencd pace.
But the bandit. seeing no resistance made to
him, and kndlcd by the hope of a second booty,
soon overlook the worthy Friend, seccndtIme
barred the way, and repeating the vancouver
with the pistol, like one we'll used to such pro-
ceedngS, he cried
"Your watch"
The Quaker, though possibly surprised at
this new demand, did not betray the least sign
Of emotion. He very colly drew handsome
gold watch from his pocket, looked at the hour,
ard gave it 10 the ruLber, merely saying:
"Now pray allow mc TO return home; my
daughter will be uneasy at thy absence"
"Au instant" replied tie masked rider, em-
boldeued By his weakness, "swear to me that
YOU have no other sum-
"Friend, never swear said the Quaker
"Ah! Indeed, We'll, then affirm that you
have no other money about you, and on the
honor Of an honest robber incapable OF using
violence to any one who yields with 50 good a
grace, l will permit you to 80 on your way"
Toby considered Il moment, and then shook
his head.
Whoever thou art" said he gravely, " thou
hast OWNED that am Quaker, and may
ro, bctray the truth, though it may cost my
life. Therefore thou must know that have
here, under the flap of my saddle, sum of
two hundred sterling.'
1.-Two hundred pounds" cried the robber,
his eyes sparkling through the mask.
"Bul if thou art good, if thon art humane,
thou wilt leave me this money resumed the
poor Quaker. "My daughter is going to be
married and this sum is wanting for her set
,lrment have not had so much together for
long time The dear child loves her betroth-
ed and it would be very cruel to rctard their
union. Ii thou hast Il heart, perhaps thou hast
loved surely thou wilt not commit this wick
ed action =
"Whal is your daug ghtcrs marriage, or her
love to me? Less words and more speed i'll
your actions, ! mus, have this also, friend"
Tub, handed the heavy little bag to the
masked highwaynran, and. with Il sigh, was
about TO pass on.
"Stay friend Quaker said the robber, lay
ing Ills hand on the bride, "yuur horse is bet.
ter than mine. AIight, my excellent friend and
we will exchange"
1t was rather too late now to begin to resist
though these repeated cxactlons were OF Il
nature to stir the bile in any one but job.
The good Toby descended, aud took, with
an air Of resignation, the wrelchcd hack that
was given lir. wondering that he had not fled
away on lis own superior stecd at the first
approach of ,h,. rohbcr.
The masked horscman, meanwhile, thanking
him ironically for lis complaisance, clapped
spurs to his horse and disappeared. Belure
arriving in I.ord"n, the despoiled traveller had
abundant leisure for meditation on his mShap,
and on the grief of the poor young people,
whose happiness was thus ruthless Y adjourned.
As 10 the money, it Was irrccovcrabiy lost 10
him; he had no neaus of recovering it nor
tracking the aGdaciouS robber. Struck with a
sudden idea, hoa ever, he stopped his regrets.
YES" said he, this means may succeed
if the fellow inlahi,s London. Heaven, no
doubt, has permitted him to he thus imprnden'.
A little c"n>led by know not wha: hope,
Toby went home apparently undisturhcd, and
said nothing OF his adventure. lie did not Z" to
the magistrates. as he at first intended, but
embraced his daughter. and went to sleep trust.
| inu in Providence. But he resolved knowing
that Heaven helps those most who try to aid
themselves, next day TO begin his researches
He had the mare brought out Of the Stable
where she had passed the night, and leading
| her into the street, threw the bride over her
neck, in the hop" that as she had tasted, she
might nstinclivry y find her way TO- her masters
house while he followed on to detect the crimi-
nal But he had relied too far on The poor
animals sagacity. She wandered to and fro
without end or aim, now to the right, now to
the left, sometimes coming to full stop, and
then retracrg her steps, till Toby began to
despair.
"The robber," thought he, has never lived
in London. What folly Of me, instead OF
giving notice to the proper authorities in time
to think Of trusting to the random vagares OF
that sorry beast
He was reused from his revcrc by the cries
of some children, who had been almost tram
pied on by the horse, which, till then so quiet
suddenly started off at full gallop.
The cry Of "stop her, stop her" was raised
in the street.
"No, no, don't stop her, for mercy's sake
or will be ruined !' cried the Quaker, to the
utter establishment Of The bystanders, who fan
ccd he must be mad; and following anxiousl!
the animals track, he saw her turn qucky y
into the suburbs, whittier her wanderings hae
led her.
"It must be here, thank Heaven" mur
INJURED the pious Friend.
He FASTENED on. aud in passing by, he saw
through the gate a groom palting the poor
Ccast's back, as he led her to the stable. II.
asked the first conner who owned that house.
"Why," said he, "you must be stranger
here not to know that this is the residence 81
the rich merchant, WereSford"
The Quaker stood petrificd.