The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-08

Toby had NO reason for opposing
the inclinations OF the young people,
Without being rich, Edward earned,
by means of his brush and palette,
enough to honorably maintain o
family. His father, Mr.. Weresford,
an old city merchant, had retired with
an immense fortune, rare example
of repeated success in specula ti0ns,
SO rapid, even, that very few persons
had been able to follow their progress.
Mr.. Weresford, being of a quick, stern
disposition, lived alone in the West
end Of London, without 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 tie
most perfectly complaisant, provided
nothing is asked OF them. Edward,
then, had nothing to hinder his
courtship of the fair Quakeress, well
knowing that her father would not
oppose her marriage. The situation
of the lovers was most prosperous
and honest. Toby waited for nothing
to fix the wedding day, save the back
rents due from his farms, intending
to set apart that income to defray the
expenses of the occasion. With this
view, he left for his country seat, a
few miles from London, in order to
arrange his affairs. He was absent
from home but a single day, and re-
turning at night on horseback, lie
perceived, a little in advance, a horse
man who blocked up the road. He
stopped for u moment, uncertain
whether to proceed or turn back.
While In this predicament, the
stranger advanced toward him. It
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 un-
known drew q pistol, and pointed it
to the traveller, demanded his purse.
The Quaker was not coward, but
calm in character, ~inofensive in
religion, and unable, being unarmed,
to resist an armed man, with the
greatest GOODNESS he drew from his
pocket his purse, containing twelve
guineas. The highwayn,an took il,
counted out tho money, and let the
Quaker pass, who, believing himself
cleared, quickend his pace to trot.
But the highwayman, seeing how
little resistance had been offered, and
hoping for more booty, soon reioin-
ed honest Toby, and again blocked
up the way, and pointing his pistol,
cried out, Your watch!'
The Quaker, although surprised.
did not show it in the least, and
coolly taking out his watch and noting
the time, placed the jewel in the hand
of the thief, saying:
CHOW, I pray you, let me 20 home.
for my daughter will feel uneasy at
my absence"
Zone moment, replied the masked
cavalier, growing more hardened by
his continued docility; ''swear that
you have no other sum-"
II never swear" replied the
Quaker.
''Well, affirm then, that you have
about you no more money, and upon
the word of q highwayman, who will
not resort to violence toward man
who yields with SO much grace, Twill
no further modest you"
Toby reflected a moment, and shook
his head. Whoever thou art" said
he, gravely, ''you have noticed that I
am Quaker, who would not conceal
the truth, although at the risk of nv
life. In my saddle-bags 1 have tho
sun of two hundred pounds sterling"
Two hundred pounds sterlingy'
cried the highwayman, whose eyes
glistened through the mask.
elf you are good, if you are
human, replied the Quaker, you will
not take this money; my daughter is
about being married, and this sum is
necessary for the occasion; it would
be long time before 1 could get
together similar sum; the dear child
loves her intended, and it would be
exceedingly cruel to deny their union.
You have heart, perhaps YOU have
loved; you would not, cannot. do so
wicked an action"
"What has your daughter, her
lover, or their marriage to do with me?
Fewer words and more promptness:
give me the money!"
Toby, signing, raised the saddle
bags, took out heavy sack and hand
Cd 1t slowly to the masked man, then
y n L u