The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-05-06

of many respectable persons who were
in league with banditti. Toby resolved
to investigate the mystery.
He entered boldly into the court, aud
demanded to speak with the proprietor,
who had just gone to bed, though IL was
near midday--a new indication of a
night of fatigue! The Quaker insisted
on being introduced, and soon found
in Weresford's bedchamber.
He not being used to being disturbed,
rubbed his eyes and demanded with
some Impotence,
"Who are you, sir? What do you
want with me?"
The sound of the voice was recog-
nized by Toby, and thoroughly con-
vinced him. He TRANQUILITY drew a
chair and seated himself at the bedside,
his hat on his head.
"Do you remain covered?" cried the
merchant, in surprise.
81 am Quaker" answered the 9TH
er, with much calmness, "and thou
knowest that such is our usage"
AT these words of the Quaker, Weres-
ford sat up in bed and eyed the stran-
ger. He doubtless recognized him, for
he turned deadly pale.
"Well," demanded he, stammering,
"what is tiff you pleasc--the-the
subject that you come aboutY'
81 ask thy allowance for.appearing so
pressing" answered Toby; "but be-
tween friends it matters not much, and
l come without ceremony, to ask for
the watch that thou borrowedst of me
yesterday"
"The-watch ?"
81 value it much; it belonged to my
poor wife, and 1 cannot do without it..
My excellent friend, the alderman,
would never forgive me were 1 to fail
for one day to return the jewel TO his
sister,
The name of an alderman appeared
to make some impression upon Weres-
ford. Without waiting an answer,
Toby continued
"Thou wilt do me the pleasure to re-
turn also the twelve guineas which 1
lent thee at the same time. Neverthe-
less if thou art in need of them, con-
sent to let thee have them for some
time, on condition that thou givest me
q receipt"
The scheme of the Quaker so discon-
certed the old merchant that he could
not deny the possession of the articles
but, not liking to acknowledge the
crime, he hesitated to answer, when
Toby added,
81 wish thee to participate at the ap-
preaching marriage of my daughter
Mary. l had reserved the sum of TIVE
hundred pounds sterling for the brida
of the espoused, but an accident hap
pened to me last night on the road t.
London-I was completely robbed, so
come to pray thee to give thy son 6
portion, which otherwise ! would not
have asked of thee"
"My son?"
"Yes. Dost thou not know that he
is Mary's lover, and that tits he that il
to marry her ?"
"Edward !" exclaimed the merchant
throwing himself from the bed.
edward Weresford," mildly replied
the Quaker, while quietly taking 6
pinch of snuff. "Come, do this thing
for him. / would not, verify, that ht
should know aught of what passed las
night, and it thou dost not furnish hin
with the sum promised, it will be wei
for me to tell him how 1 lost it,"
Weresford ran to a bureau, and drew
out casket with triple lock, openet
it aud returned successively to Tob.
his purse, his watch, and his bag o
money.
every WE'LL" said the Quaker as h,
received them. 81 see that l had rea
son to count on thee"
SIS this all that you see?" demande,
the merchant with one of his blum
airs.
may, l yet need something of tn!
friendship"
"Speak."
"Thou wilt disenherit him. J. sc
not but that some one may say i hay
speculated on thy fortune"
In finishing these words the Quake
left the chamber.
"No," murmured he, when he foun
himself alone, "chiidren are not al
swerable for the faults of their parents
Mary shall marry the son of this maj
but the stolen money she shall neve
touch"
When he reached the court, he calle
out to Weresford, who had come to tn
window, "ho! my dear friend,
brought back thy mare, return m
horse"
Some minutes afterwards, Toby, we
mounted, Carrying by the top his bag
money, furnished with his watch an
purse, reached home at moderat
trot.
81" made visit this morning to tn
father, said he to Edward, whom h
preceived entering with him; 81 believ
we shall now agree"
Two hours afterwards Weresiord al
rived at the house Of Toby, and takin
him apart, said:
"Honest Quaker, your proceeding
have deeply affected my very soul
You might have dishonored me-di'
honored my son; ruined me in his e'
timation, and caused the misfortune {
refusing him your daughter. You hay
shown yourself man in head an
heart, ! shall not again blush in yor
presence. Take these papers. Farewell
you will never see me again" And b
departed.
The Quaker, left alone, opened til
papers. They showed obligations
considerable value on the first banker
of London, with long list of names