Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-06-30

slowly to the highwayman, and then
attempted to gallOp away.
s'Hold on, my Quaker friend" said
the highwayman, serving the bride:
1.-The moment of your arrival you VIII
denOunee me 10 the magistrate, that is
usual, and / have nothing to say; but L
must, at least, be beyond pursuit to-
night. NV mare is feeble enough, and
what is more, she Is fatigued; your
horse. on the contrary, appears vigOr-
Gus, for the weight of the sack did not
cucumber him. Now dismount, and
give me your horse; you may take mine,
If you wish"
1t was too late to think of resisting,
and although the increasing demands
were of a nature TO heat the bile of the
mos. patient man, good Toby dismodnt-
ed, and with resignation accepted the
sorry Jade that was left In exchange,
Had Iknown this, he contented himself
with thinking, i should have ran away
when first met the rascal, and certain
Nv he would never have overtaken me
with this courser.
Meanwhile, the masked man, thank
ing him ironically Tor his complaisance,
burying his rOwels, disappeared.
Before arriving in London, the plum
dered traveller had time to reflect upon
his situation, and upon the disappoint-
ment of the poor young folks who
loved each other so much, and whose
happiness would be postponed. The
sum taken from him was irrevOcably
lost; there was neither means to find or
recognize the audacious thief; never
theless, as though struck by a sudden
idea, he stopped short.
''YesP' cried he, 81 may succeed by
this means. If this man resides in
London, perhaps i shall be able to find
him. Heaven has, doubtless, deter
mined that he shonld be imprudent"
A little cOnsoled by some hope, Toby
went home without appearing the least
troubled, and without speaking of his
adventure. He did not GO to magis-
trate, but embraced his daughter who
doubted nothing, and as usual retired
and slept with pleasant dreams. Next
morning he commenced his researches.
Bringing out the mare from the stable
where she had passed the night, he
placed the bride upon her neck, hoping
that the animal, guided by habit, would
naturally 90 to her masters house.
He let the unchecked beast go free in
the streets of London, and followed her.
But he overrated her instinct; for long
time she walked about, making thou
sand turns or curves, without object or
direction; sometimes stopping, then
starting in n contrary course. Toby de-
SPARED; the thief, thought he, never re
sided in London; how slily 1 was not to
notify a magistrate before it was too
late, instead of depending on this ami
NAL to find the yagabOnd.
He was interrupted In his reflections
by the cries of the children who had
been nearly trod upon by the mare-a
moment since so quiet, now she started
| to run.
stop her stop her ~ cried every
one.
Let her go" cried the Quaker, Gin
the name of Heaven do not stop her.
And following with anxiety the course
of the animal, he saw her enter the half
open gateway of splendid residence at
tue West End.
IT'S here, thought the Quaker, thank
fully raising his eyes to heaven. Then,
IN passing before the house, he saw q
servant In the yard patting the beast,
and conducting her to the stable; he
then asked of the first person he met
the name OF the proprietor of the house.
"What, are yOu a stranger in this
part of the town, that yOu do not know
the residence of the rich merchant,
WeresfOrd 2"
The Quaker stood petrifed.
"WeresfOrCl, " repeated the man. be-
lieving himself misunderstood; ''you
wei know the man who has made so
great fortune" ... -..
Thanks, my friend, thanks" re-
piled Toby.
He WAS unable to recover himself
Weresford, Edwards father-a respect
able mamie my thief!
He believed himself the butt OF a
dream. and wished to return home.
| Nevertheless, he called to mind several
instances of respectable men who had
been connected with bands of malefac-
tors. Then his immense fortune, the
source of which was so uncertain; then
| his mare, which seemed to be going to
her master. Toby was determined to
solve the mystery. He went boldly in
to the yard, and demanded speech with
the master, who although it was nearly
noon, was still in bed-another indica-
ton of night of fatigue. The Quaker
insisted upon being introduced imme-
diately, and soon found himself in
Weresford's bed-chamber. He had Just
walked, and. rubbing his eyes, asked, a
little out of bumor:
Who are you sir, and what do you
want %
The sound of his voice awakened
TOby's recollection and completed his
conviction. Quietly taking a chair, he
posted himself near the bed, without
removing his hat. -...
''You remain covered ?" cried the
surprised merchant
81 am a Quaker. replied the other
with much calmness, land you know
that such as our usage ?" ss..rss-sf
At the first words of the Quaker,
Weresford sprung up, and closely ex-
amined his visitor. Without doubt he
recognized him, for he turned pale.
"Well, said he stammering, 'what
is, if yOu please, the-the-subject
which brings you hither ?"
81 ask pardon for having shown so
much haste" replied Toby, but among
friends IL Is not usual to stand upon
ceremony. and am come without
form, to ask for my watch which you
borrowed yesterday"
''The-watch T.
II value it much-it was my poor
wife's-and L cannot do without it
My brother-in-law the alderman, never
would pardon me for letting jewel
1 m 4