The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-09-07

the efficacy OF which, he insisted, depend !
ed on its being taken by suction, when a
shrill whistle was heard, and immediately
the coach stopped, and two faces, hide~
ously blackened, presented themselves,
one at each window.
''Sorry to trouble you," sti6 the man
on the right, acknowledging with bow
two lady-like screams from the back seat
''but business is business and ours will
soon be over If things 90 smoothly
"Of course, gentleman, you spare, as
far as may be consistent with your disa>
greeable duty, the feelings of these ladies?'
appealed the polite passenger, in his bland
est manner.
ooh, certainly" was the reply; ''they
shall be first attended 20, and shall not be
required to leave their places or submit to
/ a search unless their conduct render it
necessary"
s'And, now ladies' continued the rob
Der, the barrel of his pistol cleaning in
/ the light of the coach lamp, 'be so good
as to pass out your purses, watches. and
such othe: trinkets as may be accessible
without much trouble"
The ladies came down handsomely, and
were not further molested.
One by one the rest of US were com-
pelied to get out, the middle aged gen:le~
mans turn coming first. He submitted
with a winning grace, and was robbed
! like Chesterfield.
"My own affair, like the sum lost,
was scarcely worth mentioning. The
! Quaker's turn came next. He quietly
handed over his pocket book and watch
and when asked if he had any other val
uables said, ''Nay."
A Quaker's word is good, even among
thieves SO, after hasty good night the
robber thrust his pistol into his pocket,
and with his two companions, one Of
whom held the reins of the leaders was
about TO take his departure
''iStop!" exclaimed the Quaker, in a
tone more of command than request.
''Stop! what for p returned the other
in evident surprise.
''For at least two good reasons" was
the reply. emphasized with couple of
pistols cooked and presented.
"Help!" shouted the robber.
"Stop" again exclaimed the Quaker,
''and if one of Thy sinful companions ad-
vances step to thy relief, the spirit will
surely move me to blow thy brains out. y
The robber at the opposite window,
and the one at the leaders heads thought
it good time to leave.
'Now get in friend, said the Quaker
still covering his man, ''and take the mid
die seat but first deliver up the pistol.
The other, however, hesitated.
s'1'hee had better not delay" said The
Quaker; 81 feel the spirit beginning tC
move my right forefnger."
The robber did as be was directed, and
the Quaker then took his place by my
side, giving the newcomer the middle
seat
The driver, who was half frightened
out Of bis wits, now set forward at a rapit
rate. The lively gentleman soon re-
covered his vivacity, and was especially
facetious on the Quaker's prowess; but
the Quaker, reIapsing into his usual men
osyllablcs, the conversation tagged.
Time sped and, earlier ihan we expect
ed, the coach stopped where we were +
have supper and a change of horses. w
had deferred redistribution of our ef
fects till we should reach this place, q
the dim light of the coach lamp woul
have rendered the process somewhat diff
, cult before. 1t was now necessary, how
ever, that it should be attended to at once
as our jovial companion had previousl
announced his intention of leaving a
this point. He proposed postponemeh
r till after supper, which he offered to g
and order.
'Nay," urged the Quaker, with sud
, den abruptness, and laying his hand oI
, the others arm, Z" business before pleas
ure,' and for business there is no time lik
i. the present. Will thee be good enough Il
search the prisoner p he said TO me, Still
keeping his hand in a friendly way on tn
passengers arm.
F did go, bit not one of the stolen arti
cles could be found.
ssEe must have gotten rid of them IL
the coach,'' suggested The gay gentleman
and Immediately offered 10 go in search
''Stop!'' thundered the Quaker, fight
ening his grasp.
The man turned pale, and struggled t
release his arm. In an instant one of tn
pistols was leveled at his heart.
, ''StIr hand or foot, and you are dea
man !" said the Quaker, who must hav
been awfully excited SO TO forget both tn
language and the principle of his Persua
sion.
Placing the other pistol in my hand
with directions to fire on the first OF tn
two men that made a suspicious move
ment, the Quaker went to work on 10th
ario, from whose pockets, in less tim
than it takes to tell it, he produced eve
ry item of the missing property, to tn
utter amazement of the ladies, who hat
begun IN no measured terms to remonstrat
AGAINST the shameful treatment the gen
tleman was receiving.
The Quaker, l need scarcely add, wa
no Quaker at all, but shrewd detective
who had been set on the track of banC
of desperadoes. of whom our middle>ageC