Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-01-21


treat you deIain me notr'
And anxiously following with his eye the
course of the animal, he saw her rapidly enter
ing the gate of dwelling in the suburb.
"Tis here" thought the Quaker, raising his
eyes towards heaven, in thanks TO Providence.
"What, have yOu been in these parts?" was
the answer, "that you don't know that this is
The dwelling of the rich merchant Weresford p
The Quaker stood petrifed-
weresford," repeated the neighbor, vino be-
Iieved that he had not understood him, "the
man who made so rapid fortune
Excuse me, my friend. excuse me-" replied
Toby.
He could not recover from his stupor.
"weresford, the father of Edward, man of
note, my robber."
He believed that he was dreaming, and desir-
ed to come to himself Meantime many exam
pies occurred to his memory, Of many respecta-
BILE persons who were in league with::banditti.-
Toby resolved TO investigate the mystery.
He entered boldly into the court, and demand
ed to speak with the proprietor, who had just
gone to bed, though il was near midday-a new
Indication of night of fatigeei The Quaker
insisted on being introduced, and soon found
him self in Weresford's bed-chamber. He, moi
used tn being disturbed. rubbed his eyes and de-
manded with some impatience.
"who are you. sir? What do you want with
me?-'
"The sound of his voice was recognized by
Toby. and thoroughly convinced him. He etran-
auillv drew a chair and seated himself at the
bedside, his hat on his head
..Do you remain eovered?' cried the merchant
in surprise.
lam Quaker" answered the other. with
much calmness." and thou knowest that such is
1ur usage"
At these words of the Quaker. Weresford sat
ID in bed and eyed the stranger. He doubtless
recognized him. for he turned deadly pale.
"well," demanded he stammering.
.what is tiff yau please-the-the subject
that YOU come about?"
81 ask thy allowance for appearing so press
ing answered Toby; "but between friends IL
mattereth not much, and come without cere-
nony, to ask for the watch that thou borrowedst
of me yesterday.
"The--watch ~
al value 1t much; it belonged to my poor wife,
and cannot do without IL. NY excellent friend,
the Alderman, would never forgive me were
to fail for one day to return the jewel to his
sister,
The name ofthe Alderman appeared 20 make
some impression hpon iWeresford. Withou'
waiting for an answer. Toby continued:
"Thou wilt do me the pleasure TO return also
twelve guineas which lent thee at the same
time. Nevertheless. if thou art in need of them
consent to let thee have them for some time
on condition that thou givest me receipt"
The scheme of the Quaker SO disconnected the
old merchant that he could not deny the possess
sion of the articles, but. not liking to acknowl-
edge his crime, he hesitated to answer. when
Toby added:
"Iwish the to participate at the approaching
-
the sum of two hundred pounds sterling for the
bridal of the espoused. but an accident happen
ed to me last night on the road 10 London-1 was
completely robbed, so came 10 pray thee to give
thy son a portion, which otherwise would not
have asked of them"
| "My son?'
yes Dost thou not know that he is Mary 8
lover, and that it's he that is TO marry her?'
Edward weresford," mildly replied the Qua
ker, while quietly taking pinch ofsnuf, "come.
| do this thing for him. would not, verify, that
he should know aught of what passed last night.
and If thou dost not furnish him with the sum
that promised it will be well for me to tell him
| how lost it,.
Weresford ran to q bureau, and drew out a
casket with triple lock, ,openedi it, and returned
successively to Toby his purse, his watch, and
/ his bag of money.
4 very well, buc &udhci dS Ac ACcciNCu
them, az see that had reason to count on thee. "
ais this all that you see?" demanded the mer-
chant with one of his blunt airs.
NAY, need something of thy friendship
SSpeak."
/ Thou wilt disinherit him. see not but some
| one may say have speculated on thy fortune -
4 In finishing these words the Quaker left the
chamber.
NO. murmured he, when he found himself
alone the children are not answerable for the
faults of their parents. Mary shall marry the
son of this man, but the stolen money he shall
never touch"
When he reached the court he called out to
Weresford, who had come to the window, .Ho!
my dear friend, 1 brought back thy mare, return
my horse
Some minutes afterward, Toby well mounted'
carrying by the top his bag Of money, furnished
with his watch and purse, reached home at mod
crate trot.
az made visit this morning to thy father"
said he to Edward, whom he perceived entering
j with him; "I believe we shall now agree
Two hours afterward Weresford arrived at the
house of Toby, and taking him apart, said:
i Honest Quaker, Your proceedings have deep
ly affected my very souli You might have dis
honored me--dishonored my son; ruined me in
his estimation and caused the misfortune of re-
fusing him your daughter. You have shown
yourselfa man in hand and heart. 1 shall not
again blush in your presence. Take these papers.
: Farewell! you will never see me again. And
he departed.
; The Quaker left alone, opened the papers,
: They showed obligations OF considerable value
on the first bankers of London, with long list
of names, and opposite each name, in figures,
the sum greater or less in amount. A billet was
dad afr, Da,aI doc f,lIo
"These are the names of persons who were
robbed: the figures are the sums which ought to
be restored; as to the money with the bankers
in my name. let it go to the strangers. but make
the restitution secretly yourself. What remains
, will benny legitimate fortune, and your daughter
will some day possess my estate,''
The next day Weresford left London, and
everybody was certain that he had gone to spend
his fortune in France.
On the day of the marriage, the Quaker
brought together company of merry friends,
among whom were noticed a number of persons
enchanted with the conduct of the robbers OF
London, who, through theinterposition of Toby,
had made restitution Of their lost capital with
interest.
E HOMEs.-Our American homes have
T a great work to accomplish. No people,
, taken as whole, have such an attach
E ment to home; none lay such an en-
f phasis of generous pride and pleasure
upon its advantages; and none indulge
i in such an outlay of thought and money
to obtain the very maximum of its com
e forts and joys. The passion for home is
E the chief strength of our civilization
It Is not growing as wisely as it should !;
( for we are neglectirg that domestic pro-
vision for the nurture of intellect which,