The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-06-24
The Quaker and the Robber

woods. Fie ~ bataqs ~
THE Quaker and the Robber
The most honest of all Quakers, Toby
Symptom, lived at London, IN pleasant
little dwelling, graced by the presence oil
his daughter Mary. She was not quite
seventeen years of age was charmingly
fair; had blue eyes, and possessed as much
lmodesty as beauty. All the young men
Iof her fathers acquaintance were her
Isuitors all those of the. neIghborhood
sought to gain her notice. Vain effort
Mary was no coquette; and instead OF
enjoying effects produced by her charms,
she was vexed on account of the manners
of all her admirers, except one Edward
IWeresford, young artist, admitted to
the intimacy of the family.
A very simple event had caused his
4 friendship. A premature death carried
off the Ouaker's wife. She was young
and beautiful, and desiring to perpetuate
the image of her who was so dear to him
he had caused an artist to come to the bed
of death. It was here that Edward saw
the desolate damsel; it wasthat a serious
first love took place, amid the tears OF
one and the pious work OF the other.
The year which had 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 his hope.
The excellent Toby had no reasons
Whatever for opposing the mutual inclina-
tions of the two young persons. With
out being rich, Edward earned by means
Iof his pencil what sufficed to support a
family honorably. His father, Mr.. Weres-
ford, an old merchant of the city, had re-
tired from business, with fortune in
creased more than tenfold. This was a
rare example of rapid success in specula
tion-so rapid, indeed, that few were able
to follow its progress. Yet Weresford, of
so blunt and stern disposition, lived
alone in the suburb of London, and with
out caring what his son was doing, left
him entirely at liberty. He was one of
those accommodating cyclists who trouble
no one provided they trouble not them
persons of perfect complaisance if you
ask nothing of them.
Edward, therefore, could without inter
ruption court his pretty Quakeress,
we'll assured that his father would never
think Of opposing his marriage. The sit
uation Of the loving couple was, to all APP
pearances, very prosperous and honest
Toby did not put off the day of the mar
| rage longer than to collect the arrearages
of his rents. He destined the money for
the extraordinary expenses of the cere-
money For this purpose he went to his
lcountry seat, some miles from London, in
order to regulate his affairs. He had pass
ed but one day away from home, and as
he was about to put up his horse tor the
might, heperceiyed at some distance a
horseman, who barred the road He
stopped, uncertain whether to go on, or
turn back. Meanwhile the horseman ad-
yanced toward him. The Quaker could
not even think of escaping; he therefore
put on good face, and brought his horse
to walk. In approaching the man who
caused his uneasiness, he perceived that
he was masked, greivous augury, which
was soon confirmed. The unknown show
ed a pistol, and directed the muzzle
toward the traveller, demanding his purse.
The Quaker did not want courage, but
calm by character, inoffensive by religion
and even unable, without arms, to resist
an armed man, he pulled from his purse
very coolly purse containing twelve
guineas The robber took it, counted the
pieces and left the poor devil whom he
had stopped to go on, while he put his
horse to the trot. But the robber seeing
the slight resistance he had opposed, and
allured by the hopes second booty, i'm
mediately rejoined honest Toby, placed
himself anew in his way, and presenting
his pistol as before, cried out to him.
"Your watch !" s'5
The Quaker, surprised, was nevertheless
unmoved. He coolly took hisswatch from
the fob, looked at the hour, and put the
costly article into the hands of the robber,
saying
Nov, I .beseech thee, permit me to go
to my dwelling my daughter will be IN
easy at my absence" s3s.
"a moment more" replied the masked
cayalier, more and more hardened by
his docility; "swear to me that you have
no other sum"
II never swear" said the Quaker.
Every well. Affirm that you have nc
other money, and on the faith of an hon
!estrobber, incapable of taking by violence
from asman who yields with so good grace
| will let you continue on your journey" u
Yhe Quaker reflected a moment and
shook his head
lnhiWhat thinkest thou?" he said gravely
Ifhou hast discovered that am a Quaker
and will not betray the truth, though al
1.-THE peril of my life Thus declare tc
/ thee thatf have under my saddle clotl
the sum of two hundred pounds ster
ling a. 90 M
1.-TWO hundred pounds sterlingr' ex
claimed to robber, while his eyes spanked
| +1,rouon bio rnaclr -@4 eG .