The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1869-12-29
familp Readings ano News Items.
A QUAKER DETECTIVE.

and Quaker on the middle, and myself on
the front.
The two ladies might have been mothe,
and daughter, aunt and niece. governess and
charge, or might have sustained any other
relationship, which made it proper for two
ladies to travel together unattended
| The middle aged gentleman was sprightly
and talkative. He soon struck up an &C.
quaintance with the ladies; towards whom, in
his zeal to do, be rather overdone the agree
able-bowing and smiling and chatteripg
over his shoulder in way painfully sugges.
tive at this time OF life, of q crack in the
trick. He was evidently gray lothario.
The Quaker wore the uniform of bis sect,
and confined his speech, as many aparliamen.
tartan would save his credit by doing, to
simple yeas and nays As for myself l
make it an invariable rule of the road to be
merely looker-on and listener.
Towards evening l was aroused from one
ofthose reyeries intowhich young man fall,
by an abrupt query from the talkative gen.
tleman:
Are you armed, sir!'
Il am not.' l answered, astonished, no
doubt visibly. at the question.
4 am sorry to hear it. be replied; for be-
fore reaching our next stopping place it will
be several hours in the night, and We must
pass over portion ofthe 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.
Not that i think there is the slightest
danger at present. be resumed; only when
one is responsible for the safety Of the ladies',
you know, such thing as pistol in reach,
would materially add to ones confidence
Your principles. my friend addressing
the Quaker, 1 presume, are as much opposed
to carrying as to using carnal weapons?
YEA was the response
Have the Williams murdered any Of their
yictims!' the elder lady nervously inquired
Il Or have they contented themselves with
-witb--plunderina them" added the young
er, in timorous voice.
Decidedly the latter the amiable gentle
man hastened to give assurance; and We ere
none of US prepared to offer resistance in
case Of attack. SO nothing worse than rob
berry can possibly befall u.s.
Then. after blaming his thoughtlessness in
having unnecessarily introduced disagrees-
bic subject, the gentleman quite excelled
himself in efforts TO raise the spirits Of the
company, and had succeeded go well, by the
time night set in. that all had quite frgot-
ten, or only remembered their fesrs to laugh
ut them.
-nnr eani.l lcomnanSnn fairly teIEed hfnsself
hvarse. Perceiving which, he udk num ms
pocket box Of newly.iDvented 'cough candy.
and, after passing it first to the ladies. he
helped himself to the balance and tossed
the paper out Of the window.
He was in the midst Of high epeomium
on the new nostrum, more than half the ef.
6cacy of which. he insisted, depended on its
being taken by suction, when shrill whistle
was heard, and almost Immediately the coach
stopped. while two faces, hideously blacked,
presented themselves, one at each window.
Sorry to trouble you,' said the man on
the right, acknowledging with . bow. two
lady-ike screams from the back seat; but
business is business and ours will soon be
over if things 60 smoothly.
OF course, gentlemen, you will spare, as
far as may be consistent with your disagree
able duty. the feelings Of these ladies' ap-
pealed the polite passenger. in his blandest
manner. ...--.
oh. certainly; they shall be first attended
to, and shall not be required to leave their
places, unless their conduct renders in neces-
sary.'
And, now, ladies'. continued the robber.
the barrel Of his pistol" "glittering in The light
Of the coach lamp; be SO good ss to pass your
purses, watches, and such other trinkets q
may be accessible without too much trou'
ble.'
The ladies' came down handsomely. and
we're no further molested. g &
One BY one. the rest got cut. The middle
aged eentIeman's turn coming 6rst. He sub'
mitted with winui G grace, and was robbed
like very Chesterfield.
Ny own affairs. like the sum l lost. ars
scarcely worth mentioning.
The Quakcr's turn came next He quitely
handed over bis pocket-book and watch, and
when asked If he had any other valuables,
said. Nay
A Quaker's word is good. even among
robber thrust bis pistol into his p0Sket, ahd
with his two companions. one Of whom had
held the reins of the leaders, was about de.
parting.
Stop" exclaimed the Quaker. in tone
moro Of command than Of request
Stop! What for?' returned the other in
evident surprise. :
For 1t least two good reasons,' was the
reply, emphasized with couple Of Derrin.
gsr's cooked and presented.
Help shouted the robber. ,o-
Stop. the Quaker again exclaimed. And
if any one of thy sinful companions .dvance
= 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 Z
good time to leave.
Now, get in. friend, said the Quaker, still
covering bus man. and take the middle seal;
but 6rst deliver mp the pistol
The other hesitated.
Thee bad better not delay; feel the
spirit begin to move my right fore.fnger.'
The robber did ~ be Vas directed, and
the Quaker took his place by his s!de.e .egivine
the newcomer the middle Of the seat.
The driver, who vas frightened half out oi
his wits. now set forward at . rapid rate
The lively gentleman soon recovered bis
vivacity. He was especially icetious on the
ouaker's prowess.
You're rum Quaksr. you ere. Why,
.,<., lns.,A arnn ln sno.Ah = nnnA