Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-02-12
The Quaker Detective.

The Quaker Detective.
We were five passengers in all-two la
dies on the back sent, middle-aged gen
tleman and Quaker in the middle, and
myself in front. The two ladies might
have been mother 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 talka-
tive. He soon struck up an acquaintance
with the ladies-bowing and smiling and
chatting over his shoulder. The Quaker
wore the uniform of his sect and confn-
ed his speech, as many parliamentaran
would save his credit by doing, to simple
4" yeas and nays" As to myself [ made
it in an invariable rule of the road to be
merely looker-on and listen.
Toward evening [ was aroused from
one of these reveres into which a young
man, without being a poet or lover, will
sometimes fall, by an abrupt query from
the talkative gentleman
Are you armed, sir ?"
"I am not" answered, astonished, no
doubt, visibly at the question.
Il am sorry to hear ii" he replied, '' for
before reaching our next stopping place
it will be several hours in the night, and
we must pass over portion of the road
on which more than one robbery is report
ed to have been committed"
The ladies turned pale, but the stranger
did his best to reassure them.
Not that | think there is the slightest
danger at present." he resumed, "only
when one is responsible for the safety of
the ladies, you know, such thing as
pistol in reach would add materially to
ones confidence"
" Your principles, my friend" address
ing the Quaker, q presume, are as
much opposed to carrying as using
weapons p
Y es," was the response.
Have the viliaps murdered any of
their Victims" the elderly lady uerV ously
inquired.
Or have they contented themselves
with plunderng them ?'' added the young
er, in a timorous voice.
DECIDEDLY the latter" the amiabe
gentleman hastened to give assurance;
& and we are none of US prepared to offer
resistance in case Of attack, so nothing
worse than robbery can possibly befaIl
us"
Then after blaming his thoughtessness,
in having unnecessarily introduced dis
agreeable subject, the gentleman quite ex-
celed himself n efforts to raise the spirits
of the company, and had succeeded so
we'll by the time night had set in, that all
had quite forgotten or only remembered
their fears to laugh at them. Our genial
companion fairly talked himslf hoarse.
Perceiving which, he took from his pocket
a box of - newly invented cough candy"
and after passing it to the ladies, he help
ed himself to the balance, and tossed the
paper out of the window He was in the
midst of high encomium on the new
nostrum, more than half the efficacy OF
which, he insisted, depended on its being
!, taken by suction, when shrll whistle
was heard, and almost Immediately the
coach stopped, while two faces, hideously
blackened, presented themselves at each
, window.
Sorry to trouble you," said 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 go smoothly"
OF course, gentlemen, you will spare
as far as may be consistent with your dis.
agreeable duty, the feelings Of these la
dies, appealed the polite passenger in his
! blandest manner.
Oh, certainly. they shall be first at
tended to, and shall not be required to
t leave their places, unless their conduct
f renders it necessary"
And now, ladies'" continued the rob
ber, the barrel of his pistol gistening in
S the light of the couch lamp, "be SO good
S as opass your purses, watches, and such
? other trlnkets as may be accessible with
out too much trouble"
The ladies came down handsomely, and
4 were no more molested. One by one the
D rest got out The middle-aged gentle
D mans turn came first He submitted
S with a charming grace. and was robbed
/ like very Chesterfield. My own affairs
: like the sum lost, are scarcely worth
mentioning.
e The Quaker's turn came next He
e quietly handed over his pocket-book anc
watch, and when asked if he had any
f other valuables, said " Nay" A Quaker
o word is good even among thieves; so al
n ter hasty "good night" the robbel
o thrust his pistol into his pocket, and with
: his two companions, one Of whom held
S the reins Of the leader, was about starting
:, "Stop ~ exclaimed the Quaker, in tone
n more of command than of request.
f "Stop What for ?" returned the other
q in evident surprise.
!. For at least two reasons" was the re-
S ply, emphasized with couple of pistols
e presented.
d "Help?" shouted the robber.
}. "Stop!' the Quaker exclaimed. &c And i
|, any of your sinful companions advance
e step to thy relief, the spirit will surely
d move me to blow thy brains out"
II The robber at the opposite window, and
e the one at the leaders head, though it
e good time to leave.
r "Now. get in. friend" said the Quaker
IS still covering his man, "and take tht
Il middle seat, but first deliver up thy pis
J. tol." The other hesitated
IS "Thee had better not delay; l feel th'