Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-11-12
THE QUAKER AND THE ROB
BER.
Translated from the French by R. E. A. Atree.

| The most honest of all Quakers
Toby Simpton lived at London in /:
pleasant little dwelling graced by tht
tpresence o: his daughter Mary
She was not quite seventeen years o.
age; was charmingly fair; had blue
eyes, and possessed as much modes
ty as beauty. All the young men oi
her fathers acquaintance were her
suitors; all those of the neighbor-
hood sought 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 oil
sill her admirers, except one Edward
Weresferd, young artist, admitted
to the intimacy of her family.
Avery simple event had caused
this friendship, A premature death
had carried off the Quaker's wife.
She was young ano beautiful, and
desiring to perpetuate the image 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
serious first love took place, amid
the tears of the 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 de-
sire and hope.
The excellent Toby had no reason
whatever for opposing the mutuali in
clinations of the two young persons
Without being rich. Edward earned
by means of his pencil what sufficed
to support a family honorably. His
father, Mr.. Weresford, an old mer-
chant of the city, had retired from
business, with a fortune increased
more than tenfold. This was rare
example of rapid success in speeula-
tion--so rapid indeed that few were
able to follow its progress.
Yet Weresford, of so blunt and
stern disposition, lived alone in a
suburb OF London, and without car
ing what his son was doing, left him
entirely at liberty. He was one of
those accommodating egotists who
trouble no one, provided they trouble
not them-persons of perfect com
plaisanee if you ask nothing of
them.
Edward, therefore, could without
interruption, court his pretty Qua
keress, well assured that his father
would never think of opposing his
marriage. The situation of the low
ing couple was, to al! appearance,
very prosperous; and honest Toby
did not put off the day of their mar
riage longer than to collect the ar
rearages ofhi rents; he destined the
money for the extraordinary expen-
ses of the ceremony. For this pur-
pose he went to his country seat,
some miles from London, in order to
regulate his affairs. He had passed
but one day away from home; and
as he was 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 go on or turn back.
Meanwhile the horseman advanced
toward him.
The Quaker could not even think
of escaping. He therefore put on
good face, and brought his horse to
a walk. In approaching the man
who caused his uneasiness, he per-
ceived that he was masked, griev-
Gus augury, which was soon confirm
ed. The unknown showed 8 pistol
and directed the muzzle to the trav-
eler, demanding his purse. The
Quaker did not want courage, but
calm by character, inoffensive by re-
ligien, and even unable without arms
to resist an armed man, he pulled
from his pocket very coolly purse
containing twelve guineas. The rob-
Der took it, counted the pieces, and
left the poor devil whom he had
stopped to pass on, while he put his
horse to the trot. But the robber,
seeing the slight resistance he had
opposed, and allured by the hope of
a second booty, Immediately rejoined
honest Tody, placing himself anew in
his way, and presenting his pistol as
before, cried cut to him:
"Your watch"
The Quaker, surprised, was never
theless unmoved. He coolly took
his watch from the fob, looked at the
hour, and put the costly article into
the hand of the robber, saying:
''Now l beseech thee, permit me
to 60 to ny dwelling--my daughter
will be uneasy at my absence"
ga moment more" replied the
masked cavalier, the more and more
hardened by this d0cility; "swear to
me that you have no other sum"
II never swear" said the Quaker.
"Very well. Affirm that you have
no other money, and on the faith of
an honest robber, incapable of tax
ing by violence from man what he
yields with 60 good a grace, 1 will
letyou continue on your journey"
The Quaker reflected a moment
and shook his head.
"What thinkest thou," he said
gravely, "thou hast discovered thatI
an Quaker, and will not betray the
tr,th, though at the peril of my life.
Thus I declare to thee that l have
urder my saddle cloth sum Of two
hundred pounds sterling"
1.-Two hundred pounds sterling!"
cred the robber, while his eyes
sparkle through his mask.
''But if thou art as good as thou
AT kind" replied the Quaker, "thou
wit leave me this money. / wish to
eaablish my daughter, and this sum
is necessary; for a long time l shall
MT have a similar sum-at my dispo-
sd. The dear child loveth her ia
t,nded, and 1t will be cruel to delay
t,;s urion Thou hast loved. perad-