Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-11-07
Statesman
THE UNFINISHED PRAYER
THE QUAKER AND THE ROE
BIER.
BY R. e. A. ATREE.

THE QUAKER AND THE ROB
BER.
BY R. e. A. ATREE.
The most honest of all Quakers, Toby
Simpton, lived at London, in pleasant
little dwelling, graced by the presence
|@ Tfsd htTs Nary, SheS wY lot
quite seventeen years Of age was
charmingly fair; had blue eyes, and
possessed as much modesty as beauty s
All the young men of her fathers ae-,
quaintance were her suitors all those
of the neighborhood sopght to gain her
notice. Vain efforts Mary was no
coquette; and instead of enjoying the
effect produced by her charms, she was
vexed on account of the manners of all
her admirers, except one Edward Wers-
ford, a young artist, admitted to the in
timacy of her family.
A very simple event had caused this
friendship. A premature death had
carried ,efsthe Qnakers wife. She was
youhg and beaatiftil, Wand desiring to
perpetuate the magic of her who was so
dear to him, he had caused the artist to
come to the bed of death. 1t was there
that Edward saw the desolate damsel;
it was there, q serious first love took
place, amid the tears Of one and the
pious work of the other. The year
which elapsed after this epoch had but
strengthened the bond formed under
these auspices, and the young man had
showed to the father both his desire and
hope. l.
The excellent Toby had no reason
whatever for opposing the mutual in
clinationsg Of tbeitNo yophg persons.-
Without being rich, Edward earned, by
means of his pencil, what suficed to
support family honorably. His father
Mr.. Weresford, an old merchant of the
city, had retired from business, with a
fortune iticreased more than tenfold
This was rare example of rapid success
in speculation-so rapid, indeed, that
few were able to follow its progress.
Yet Weresford, of so blunt and sterr
disposition, lived alone in suburb O
London, and, without caring what hit
son was doing, left him entirely at liber
ty. He was one of those accommodating
egotists who trouble no one, provided
they ToaBe mot them 44Ipsrsops of iper
feet eonplaisancefi sypa ash snethibg q
them.
Edward, therefore, could, without in
terruption, court his pretty Quakeress
we'll assured that his father would new
er think of opposing his marriage. The
situation of the9loving couple was, to al
appearance, very prosperous; and hon
est Toby did not put off the day Of theil
marriage longer than to collect the ar,
rearages of his rents; he destined the
money for the extraordinary expense:
of the ceremony. For this purpose he
went to his country seat, some miles
from London, in order to regulate his af
fairs EHs bad Passedybrt ene daysawaJ
from Home and as lfeszwas about TO put
up his horse for the night, he perceived
at some distance horseman, who had
barred the road. He stopped, uncertain
whether to 60 on or turn back. Mean
while tbs, h9rseelmang en- advanced towar(
him.
The Quaker could not even think O
escaping. He therefore put on a goot
face, and brought his horse to walk
In approachingthe man who caused hi
uneasiness, he perceived that he wa
masked, a grievous augury, which wa
soon confirmed. The unknown showe
apistelrand direetedsthe.muzzle to 9Th
trav4er, demahdingS his purse. - fh
Quaker did not want courage; but, calm
by character, inoffensive by religion
and even unable without arms to resis
an armed man, he pulled from his pock
ct very coolly purse containing twelv
guineas. The robber took it, counte
the pieces, and left thespeep.dexil whom
he had stopped to- passion, white he pu
spurs to his horse. But the robber, see
ing the slight resistance he had oppos
ed, and allured by the hope of secon
booty, Immediately rejoined honest To
by, placed himself anew in his way
land presenting his pistol, i as - before, erie
ou. .Vomrsf " nf W .ttcb, Ib,di5aa baa sisaia
The Quaker, surprised, was, never
theless unmoved. He coolly took hi
watch from the fob, looked at the hou
and put the costly article into the han
of the robber saying:
"Now, I beseech thee, permit me t
go to my dwelling-my daughter wi
be uneasy, at my absence
/ "a moment more," replied the mask
/ ed cavalier, the more and more harden
! ed by this docility; "swear to me tina
you have no other sum-"
81 never swear. said the Quaker.
I "Very we'll Affirm that you have n
other money, and on the faith of a
honest robber, incapable of taking b
violence from a man who yields wit
so good grace, l will let you continu
on your journey"
The Quaker reflected moment an
shook his head. sss kSzATL
i "What thinkest thou ?" he sal
gravely. "Thou hast discovered ths
| am a Quaker, and will not betray tn
truth, though at the peril of my lif
Thus l declare to thee that l have unde
my saddle cloth sum of two hundre
pounds sterling"
"Two hundred pounds !" cried tn
s9bbsr, ROB s.,d While fise5@ PsfkbIed . thrGus s
"But if thou art as good as thou a
4 kind" replied the Quaker, thou wi
H leave me this money. I wish to estal