The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-12-04
MisceiIailp.
A QUAKER pEfHcr1va.a a.

anu quaker On tue AiiouAc, oAN 4ASSch vi
one in front. - ~ I "a IL
The two ladies might have been mother and
daughter. aunt and niece, gOverness and
charge, or might have sustained any other re-
lationship which nlade it proper for two ladies
to travel together unattended. y - U.s.
The middle aged gentleman was sprightly
and laxative. He soon struck up an acquain-
lance with the ladies' toward whom, in his
zeal to do, he rather overdid the agreeable,
bowling and chattering over his shoulder in q
way painfully suggestive, at his time of life,
Of "crick" in the neck. He was evidently a
'gay Lothario."
The Quaker wore the uniform of his sect, and
confined his speech, AS many parliamenta-
rian would save his credit by doing 10 simple
''yeas" and 'nays." AS for myself, made it
On inyariaole rule of the road to he merely a
locker on and listener.
Toward evening was aroused from one of
those reveries into which q young man with
out either being poet or lover will some
times fall, by the abrupt query from the talka-
tive gentleman.
"Are you armed, sir2" rt a4F
u am not" answered, astonished, no doubt
visibly, at the question.
81 am sorry to hear it, he replied; for be-
fore reaching our next stopping place it will
be several hours in the night, and we must
pass over portion OF the road on which more
than one robbery is reported to have been
committed.
The ladies turned pale, but the stranger did
his best to reassure them aa@
SHOT that think there is the slightest dan
ger at present." he resumed "only when one
is responsible for the safety of ladies, you know,
a <o1 ~,sk1
add materially to ones confidence"
"Your principles, my friend" addressing the
Quaker, Il presume are as much opposed to
carrying as to using carnal weapons
"Yea," was the response.
"Have the Williams murdered any of their
victims q the elder lady ncrvously inquired.
Cor have they contented themselves with
plundering them !" added the younger, in
timorous voice. ''.Fl
"Decidedly the latter" the amiable gentle
man fastened to give assurance, "and as we
arc none of us prepared to offer resistance In
case Of attack, nothing worse than robbery
can possibly befall u.s."
Then after blaming his thoughtlessness in
having unnecessarily introduced Disagree
able subject, the gentleman quite excclled
himself in efforts to raise the spirits of the
company, and succeeded so well by the time
night set in, that all had quite forgotten. or
only remembered their fears to laugh at them
Our genial companion fairly talked himself
hoarse. Perceiving which he took from his
pocket package of newly invented cough
candy, and after passing it to the ladies, he
helped himself to the balance and tossed the
paper out Of the window.
lie was in the midst of high enconium on
the new nOstrum more than halt the efficacy
ofwhich, he insisted, depended on its being
taken by suction, when a shrill whistle was
heard, and almost immediately the coach stop.
ped, while two faces, hidcOusly blackened.
presented themselves, one at each window.
"Sorry to trouble you," said the man on the
right. acknowledging with bow two lady
like screams from the back seat, ''but bust
ness is business, and ours will be soon over. if
things 60 smoothly"
"Of course, gentlemen, you will spare as far
81 may be consistent with your disagreeable
duty, the feelings of these ladies'" appealed
the polite passenger in his blandest manner.
"Oh certainly; they shall bc first attended
to, and shall not be required to leave their
places, or submit to search unless their con.
duct renders it necessary
Sand now, ladies'" continued the robber.
the barrel of his pistol cleaning in the light
OF the coach lamp, "bc so good Is to pass out
your purses, watches, and such other trckets
as may be accessible without too much
trouble"
The ladies came down handsomely, and
were no further molested.
One by one the rest of US were compelled to
get out, the middle aged gentleman coming
first
lie submitted with winning grace, and
was robbed like a Chesterfield.
NY own affair, like the sum lost, is scarce
~ worth mentioning. A~
Inc Qnakers turn came next. He quietly
handed over his pocket book and watch, and
when asked it he had any other valuables,
said May"
A Quaker's word is good even among the
thieves so, after hasty "good night" the
robber thrust his pistol into his pocket. and
with Ills two companions, one Of whom had
held the reins OF the leaders, was about taking
his departure 30
stop" exclaimed the Quaker, in q tone
more OF command than request
stop what for Z" returned the other in
evident surprise. .ngrf
For Mt least two good reasons" was the
reply emphasized with couple of Dcrrigers
cooked ann presented.
Heip, shouted the rObbCr.
stop" the Quaker exclaimed. "And i'll
one OF thy sinful companions advances step
10 thy rehei, the spirit will surely IN owe me to
blow thy brains out"
Inc robber at the opposite window, and the
one at the leaders head, thought it good
NOW get in friend" said the Quaker, still
covering the man, land take the middle seat
but first deliver up thy pistol"