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

before cried out to him, "Your Watchr'
Ihe Quaker, surprised, was neverthe.
less unmoved. He coolly took his
watch from the fob, looked at the hour,
and put the costly article into the hand
OF the robber, saying:
"Now, / beseech thee, permit me to
go to my dwelling-my daughter will
be uneasy at my Absence"
"a moment MORE" replied the mask
ed cavalier, the more and more hardened
by this docility; "swear to me that you
have no other sum"
81 never swear" said the Quaker.
Every well. Affirm that you have
no other money, and on the faith of an
honest robber, incapable of taking by
violence from man who yields with
so good grace, will let you continue
on your Journey"
The Quaker reflected moment and
shook his head.
"What thinkest thou" he said grave
ly, "thou hast discovered that am
Quaker, and will not betray the truth,
though at the peril of my life Thus l
declare to thee that 1 have under my
saddle cloth a sum of two hundred
pounds sterling.'
"Two hundred pounds sterling ="
cried the robber, while his eyes spark
led through his mask.
"But if thou art good as thou art
kind" replied the Quaker, "thou wilt
leave me this money. l wish to estab-
lish my daughter, and this sum is nee
essary for long time l shall not have
a similar sum at my disposal. The
dear child loveth her intended, and it
will be cruel to delay this union. Thou
hast loved, peradventure, and thou
wouldst not commit this wicked act"
"What care for your daughter, and
her lover and their marriage? Less
talk, and more promptitude of execu-
ton! 1 must have this money"
Toby, with sigh. lifted the cloth,
took a bag heavy enough, and passed it
slowly to the masked man. His inten-
ton then was to gallop off.
"Stop again, friend Quaker" said
the other laying his hand upon the
bride; "as soon as you arrive, you will
denounce me to the magistrates. This is
according to order. have nothing to say;
but / must have the advance of the pro-
cess of tonight, at least. My mare is
feeble, and is besides, fatigueG your
horse, on the contrary, appears vigor-
Gus, for the weight of this bag does not
incommode him. Alight and give me
your beast; you may take mine, if you
will"
He was slow in beginning to comply,
because these cross exigencies were of a
nature to raise the choler of the most
patient man. The good Toby, however
descended, and resignedly took the
sorry jade which was left him in eX'
change. "If I had known" he con
tented himself in thinking, 81 would
. have fed at the first encounter with
this rogue, and certainly it is not with
this courser that he would have gained
in the race"
During this time the masked man
ironically thanking him for his COM
plaisance, applied both spurs and
disappeared.
Before he reached London, Toby had
time to reflect on his misfortune, on the
chagrin of the two young persons who
loved, and whose happiness would bt
put off. The sum taken from him wa:
irrevocably lost. Not the least of il
, could be regained, nor could the auda
, cious robber be recognized. Meanwhile
as a sudden idea struck him, he stop
ped.
eyes" said he, "this means may sue
ceed. If this man liveth in London
l may peradventure meet him again
Heaven, no doubt, hath willed that he
should have been 50 very imprudent."
Somewhat consoled, by know moi
what hope, Toby went home withou
showing any trouble, or saying augh
of his adventure. He did not 60 to the
magistrate, but embraced his daughter
who suspected nothing, and lay dowl
and slept. His faith was in God.
+ Next day he secretly thought of co
: operating with Providence in making
research. He let the mare out of the
, stable where she had passed the night
, and threw the bride over her neck, in
hopes that the animal, led by habit
would naturally go to the house of hel
f master. He therefore sent off the poor
beast which had been fasting, to wan
der at large through the streets of Lon
don, and followed her. But he suppos
ed her to have more instinct than sh,
=. had: for long time she went right
, and left, making thousand turns an(
returns without aim, without direction
sometimes at a stand, then taking
contrary course. Toby despaired. an,
', robber," thought he "doth not live il
q London. What folly in me ! instead o
n going to the magistrate when l had thu
! time, to have suffered myself to be let
f away by this wretched animal :"
+ Suddenly, however, the beast prickeC
I up her ears and set off on brisk trOt
:. followed closely by the Quaker.
: "Stop! stop!" was the cry on al
e hands.
e "Detain me nOtW cried the Qua
: ker 81 entreat you, detain me not !"
o And anXiously following with his ey'
: the course of the animal, he saw he
/, rapidly entering the gate of a dwelling
4 in the suburb.
:. "Tis here" thought the Quaker, rails
4 ing his eyes toward heaven, in thank
t to Providence.
g In reality, in passing the house, h
s perceived in the court domestic, VIII
e patted the poor beast and conduete'
: her to the stable. He demanded a
s once the name of the proprietor of tn
!. house.
[ "What, have YOU mover been in thes