Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-10-29

A Quaker's word is good, even among
thieves; so, after hasty "good night, 4"
the robber thrust his pistol in his pocket,
and with bis two companions, one of
whom had held the reins of the leaders,
was about taking his departure.
Stopr exclaimed the Quaker, in a
tone more of command than request.
"Stopl what for?" returned the other
in evident surprise.
Oh! certainly, they shall be attended
to, and shall not be required to leave
their places, or submit to a search, unless
their conduct renders it necessary. And
now, ladies'" continued the robber, the
barrel Of his pistol cleaning in the light
of the coach lamp" be SO good as to
pass out your purses, watches, and such
other trinkets as may he accessible with
out too much trouble"
The ladies came down handsomely,
and were not further molested.
One by one the rest of us were com.
PEELED to get out, the middIe-aged gentle
mans turn coming first. He submitted
with a winning grace, and was robbed
like Chest ertield.
"For at least two good reasons" was
the reply, emphasized with couple of
Derringers cooked and presented.
" Heipw shouted the robber.
Stop" the Quaker again exclaimed
"And if one of thu sinful companions
advances step to thy relief the spirit
will surely move me to blow thy brains
out"
The robber at the opposite window,
and the one at the leaders heads thought
it good time to leave.
"Now get in FRIEND" said the Quaker.
still covering his man, aud take the
middle seat but first deliver up thy pis-
tol."
The other hesitated.
"Thee had not better not delay; feel
the spirit beginning to move my middle
forefnger "
The robber did as he was directed,
and the Quaker took his place by his
side, giving the new conner the middle of
the seat.
Ths driver, who was frightened half
out of his wits, now set forward at a
rapid rate. The lively gentleman soon
recovered his vivacity. He was es.
pecially facetious on the Quaker's PROV
esS.
You're a rum Quaker, you are {.
Why, you don't quake worth cent"
Il am not Shaking Quaker if that's
what thee means"
"Of the Hickory or rather of the
odd Hickory stripe, l should say" re-
torted the lively man; but the Quaker.
relapsing into his usual mouosy Tables, the
conversation tagged.
Time sped, aud sooner than we expect
ed the Goa b stopped where we were to
have supper and change of horses. We
had deferred redistribution of our eff
fects till we should reach this place, as
the dim light of the coach lamp would
have rendered tie process somewhat diff
ficult before.
1t was now necessary, however, that it
should be attended 10 at once, as our 10
vial companion had previously announced
bis intention of leaving US at this point.
He proposed postponement till after
supper, which he offered to GO and or
der.
may" urged the Quaker, with an APP
proach TO abruptness. and laying his hand
on the others arm, "'business before
pleasure and for business there is no
time like the present"
"Will thee be good enough to search
the prisoner?" he said to me, still keep
ing his hand, in a friendly way, on the
passengers arm.
l did so, but not one of the articles
could be found.
He must have got rid of them in
the COACH" the gay gentleman suggest
ed, and immediately offered to go to
search.
Stop!" Numbered the Quaker, tight
ening his grasp.
The man turned pale, and struggled
tn release his arm. "a an instant one
of the Derringers was leveled at his
heart.
Stir hand or foot, and you are a
dead mani"
The Quaker must have been awfully
excited SO completely to forget both the
language and the principles of his per-
suasion,
Placing the other pistol in my hand,
with directions to fire on the first of the
two men that male a suspicious move
ment, he went to work on Lothario, from
whose pockets, in less time than | can take
to tell it. he produced every item of the
missing property to the utter amazement
of the two ladies, who had begun. in no
measured terms 10 remonstrate against
the shameful treatment the gentleman was
receiving.
The Quaker, | need scarcely add, was
no Quaker mt all, but shrewd detective,
who had been set on the track Of band
of e>peradoes. of whom our middle
aged fFiend-who didn't look near so
middle aged when bis wig was off-was
the chief. The robbery had been adroit-
ly planned. The leader of The gang bad
taken passage in the coach, and, after
learning. as he supposed, our defenseless
condition, had given the signal to bis
companions by throwing out scrap OF
paper already mentioned. After the un-
expected capture of the first robber, it