Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-06-30
MISCELLANY.
the Quaker and the Highvayman.

the Quaker and the IIighVayman.
Toby Simpson, a pattern to Quakers,
inhabited a neat little house IN London,
beautifed by the presence of his daugh-
ter Mary. She was scarcely seventeen,
a beautiful blonde with blue eyes, and
possessing as much wisdom as beauty,
was sought after by all the young men
among her fathers acquaintance. -
Those of the neighbOrhOod tried in vain
to win smile. Mary was not a CO.
quette, and so far from turning to ac-
count the effect produced by her
charms, she felt SO much annoyed by 1t
that she could hardly treat with civil
ty her many admirers, one only except
ed-Edward WeresfOrd-a yOung artist
who was intimate with the family.
a simple occurrence was the cause of
this intimacy. Premature death had
taken away the wife of the Quaker, still
III her youth and beauty, and ne, wish
ing to peTpetnate the memory of one so
dear to him, had called a painter to her
deathbed. 1t was there that Edward
first met the afflicted daughter-theTe,
between the tears of one and the sacred
employment of the other, grew up a
serious attachment. The year passed
since that event had only served to
strengthen the bond formed under such
circumstances, and the young man had
already ventured to declare his hopes
and desires.
Toby had no reason for opposing the
iBclinatiOns of theyOung people. With
out being rich, Edward earned, by
means of his brush and palette, enough
to hOnoTably maintain a family. His
father, Mr. WeresfOrd, an old city mer-
chant, had retired with an immense
fortune; rare eXampleOf repeated sue
eesses in speculatiOns, so rapid, even,
that very few persons had been able to
fellow their progress. Mr.. WeresfOrd,
being of a quick, stern disposition, lived
alone IN the west end of London, with
out troubling himself about his son, and
leaving him to shift for himself He
WAS one of those Obliging egOtists, who
troubled no one, in order not TO be
themselves trOubled-One of the most
perfectly cOmplaisant, provided moth
ing Is asked of them. Edward, then,
had nothing to hinder hrs courtship of
the fair Qnakeress. well knowing that
her father would not oppose her mar
rage.
The situation of the lovers was most
prosperous, and old Toby waited for
nothing TO fix the wedding day, save
the back rents due from his farms, in
tending to set apart that income to de-
fray the expenses of the OCCASION
With this view he left for his country
seat, few miles from London, In order
to arrange his affairs. He was absent
from home but single day. and re-
turning at night on horseback, he per-
ceived, little in advance, a hoTseman
who blocked up the road. He stopped
for n moment, uncertain whether to
proceed or turn back. While In this
predicament the stranger advanced to-
ward him. 1t was too late to think OF
escaping, and putting the best possible
face upon the affair, he started his
horse again. As he approached the
troublesome stranger, he perceived that
he was masked, an unpleasant augury
of what was soon confirmed. The IN
known drew pistol, and pointed It to
the traveller, demanding his purse. The
Quaker was not u coward, but calm IN
character, inOffensive IN religion, and
unable, being unarmed, to resist an
armed man, with the greatest GOODNESS
lac drew from his pocket his purse con
tanning twelve guIneas.
The highwayman took it counted out
the money, and let the Quaker pass
who, believing himself cleared, quick,
ened his pace TO trOt. Bnt the high
waylnan, seeing how little Resistance had
been offered, and hoping for more
booty. sOOn reiOined honest Toby, and
again blocked mp the way, and pointing
his pistol, cried out, ''YOur watchr
The Quaker although surprised, did
not show it In the least, aud coolly tax
ing ont his watch, aud noticing the
time, placed the jewel in the hand Oi
the thief. saying:
Nov pray you let me go home, fol
my daughter will feel uneasy at my alb
sence.
Zone moment, replied The masked
cavalier, growing more hardened by his
continued dOcility. ''swear that you
have no other sum"
81 never swear" replied the Quaker
"WeIl, affirm then, that you have No
more money about You, and upon the
word OF a highwayman, who viii moi
resort to violence toward a man who
Yields with so much grace, / will NJ
further modest YOU" f.t--. 5-EF.
Toby reflected a moment, and shool
his head. "WhOever thou art, saiC
he gravely, lyon have noticed that
am Quaker, who would not concea
the truth, although at the risk of nv
life. In my saddle-bags / have The
sum of two hundred pounds sterling.
Two hundred pounds sterlingp
cried the highwayman, whose eyes glis
tened through bis mask.
eff you are good, if you are human,
replied the Quaker, '.yOu viii not TAX,
this money. My daughter is about be
ing married and this sum is necessar,
for the occasion; it would be lon,
time before j could get together a simi
lar sum; the dear child loves her In
tended. and It would be exceedingly
cruel to deny their union. You have
heart, perhaps You have loved; yO
would not can not do SO wicked an &C
ton"
"What has your daughter, her love
or their marriage got to do with me