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

Chpife AHisffllang.
Translated from the Freneh.l
The Quaker and the RObber.
The most honest Of all Quakers, Toby simpton
lived at London, in a pleasant little dwelling
eraced by the presence Of his daughter Mary
She was not quite seventeen years of age; wa
charmingly fair; had blue eyes, and possessei
as much modesty Is beauty. All the young
men OF her fathers acquaintance were hei
suffers: all those Of the neighborhood sought u
gain her notice. Vain efforts' Mary was no
coouette: and instead of enjoying the effect
prod,ced by her charms, she was vexed on ac-
count of the manners of all her admirers, except
one Edward Weresford. a young artist, admitted
to the intimacy of her family.
very simple event had caused this friend
shin. A premature death had carried off th,
ouaker's wife She was young and beautiful
and desiring TO perpetuate the image of her who
vas SO dear to him, he had caused the artist to
come TO the bed of death. II was there that Ed
ward saw the desolate damsel; 1t was there a
serious first love took place, amid the tears OF
one and the pious work of the other. The year
which elapsed after this epoch had butstrength-
ened the bond formed under these auspices, and
the youue man had showed to the father both
his desire and hope.
The excellent Toby had no reason whatever
for opposing the mutual inclinations of the two
Young persons without being rich, Edward
earned by means of his pencil what sufficed t.
support a family honorably. His father, Mr.
Weresford, an old merchant ofthe city, had re-
tired from business with a fortune increased
more than tenfold. This was rare example OF
rspid success in speculation-so rapid indeed
that few were able tofollow its progress. o..
Yet Weresford, of so blunt and stern DISPOSE
tion. lived alone in a suburb of London, and
without caring what his son was doing, left him
entirely at liberty. He was one Of those accom-
odatine eeotists who trouble no one provided
they trouble not them-persons of perfect COM
plaisance II you ask nothing of them.
Edward, therefore, could without interruption,
court his pretty Quskeress, well assured that his
father would never think Of opposing his mar
riape The situation ofthe loving couple was.
10 all appearance. very prosperous; and homes
Toby did not put off the day of their marriage
longer than to ilect the arrearages of his rents
he destined the money for the extraordinary
expenses of the ceremony. For this purpose he
went to his country seat, some miles from Lon
don. In order to regulate his affairs. He had
was about to put up his horse for the night, he
perceived at some distance horseman, who
had barred the road. He stopped. uncertain
whether to go on or turp back. Meanwhile the
horseman advanced toward him.
The Quaker could not even think of escaping
He therefore put on a good face, and brought his
horse to a walk. In approaching the man who
caused his uneasness, he perceived that he war
masked, a grievous augury, which was soon con-
firmed The unknown showed pistol and di
rected the muzzle TO the traveller, demanding hi'
purse. The Quaker did not want courage, bu
calm by character, inoffensive by religion. ant
even unable without arms to resist an armed
man. he pulled from his pocket very coolly 4
purse containing twelve guineas. The robbel
took it. counted the pieces, and left the poordevi
whom he had stopped to pass on while he put hii
horse to the trot. But the rObber seeing the
siight resistance he had opposed, and ailursd By
the hope ofa second booty, Immediately rejoinec
honest Toby, placed himself anew in his way
and presenting his pistol as before, cried out Il
him:
"Your watch!'
The Quaker, surpr'Sed, was nevertheless un
moved He coolly took = $ watch from the fob
locked at the hour and put the coatly articlei
the hands of the robber saying:
"Now, beseech thee, permit me to go TO my
dwelIing-my daughter will be uneasy at my
absence"
"A moment more" replied the masked cava
lier, the more and more hardened by ihs
doctlity; "swear to me that you have no othel
sum-
-Inever swear" said the Quaker.
"very well affirm that you have no othel
money, and on the faith of an honest robber, in
q
Yields with SO good a grace, will let you con
tinue on your Journey"
The Quaker reflected for moment and shool
his head.
What thinkest thou" he said graveiy, thol
hss discovered that am Quaker, and will no
betray the truth, though at the peril Of my life
Thus declare to thee that have under my sad
dlecloth a sum of two hundred pounds sterling
Two hundred pound slerling?" cried the rob
Der, while his eyes sparkled through his mask
"But if thou art as good as thou art kind" re
piled the Quaker, "thou wilt leave me thi
money wish to establish my daughter, AM
this sum is net essary; for a long time shall no
have similar sum at my disposal. The dea
child loveth her intended, and it will be cruel Il
delay this union. Thou hast loved, peradven
ture, and thou wouldst not commit this wicke'
actn
What care for your daughter, and her lover
and their marriage? Less talk, and more promp
titude of execution! must have this money.
Toby with a sigh, lifted the cloth, took bal
heavy enough, and passedit slowly TO the mask
ed man. His intention then was to gallop.
"stop again, friend Quaker" said the Other
laying his hand upon the bride; las soon a
you arrive, you will denounce me to the magis
trates. This is according to your order. bav
nothing to say; but must have the advance c
the process tonight, at least. My mare is feeble
and is, besides, fatigued. Your horse, on tn
contrary, appears vigorous. for the weight c
this bag does not ineommode him. Alight an
give me your beast; you may take mine, if yo
will.r
He was slow in beginning to comply, becaus
these cross exgencies were of a nature TO rails
the choler of the most patient man. The goo
Toby, however, descended, and resignedly tool
the.sorrow Jade which was left him in exchange
..If had known he continued himself II
thinking, 81 would have fed at the first encoun
Ter with this rogue. and certainly it is not witt
this courser that he would have gained in fh
race"
"During this time the masked man ironieall,
thanking him for his complaisance, apple,
both spurs and disappeared.
Before he reached London, Toby had time t
reflect on his misfortu ie, on the chagrin of tn
two young persons who loved. and whose hap
piness would be put OF. TIL sum taken from
him was irrecoverably lost. Not the least of
could be regained, nor could the audacIous rob
ber be recognized. Meanwhile a sudden ide
struck him he stopped.
ayes" said he, :" this means may succeed.
this man iiveth in London, may peradventur
meet him again. Heaven, no doubt, hath w1lle.
that he should have been SO very imprudent.
Somewhat consoled, by know not what hope
Toby went home without showing any troubit
or saving aught of his adventure. He did no
20 TO the magistrate, but embraced his daughter
who suspected nothing lay down and sleep
His faith was in God.
Next day he secretly thought of co-operatin
with Providence in making research. He let tn