The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-04-04
M S c elan Gus.
For The 1Egis and Lntcllgc"cc',
The Quaker Gambler.


During the dark days of the Revolution,
when General Howe with 10000 British
troops held undisputed possession Of the
city of Philadelphia and were revelling in
all the luxuries of the Quaker City, and
while General Washington with his half,
clad American troops was quartered in log
huts at Valley Forge, an incident occurred
that has escaped the notice of the histori.
an, although it was published in the Phia-
delphia papers the next summer, after the
British had left the city.
One evening in December, 177i7, Qua
l1er approached the Camden Ferry, driving
two miserable horses attached to an old
ricketty wagon. His harness was entirely
composed ofropes, and the whole team was
not worth ten dollars. He requested the
ferryman to take him and his team oyer to
the city, but was of course referred to the
officer of the ferry guard He told the Ma
jor that his name was Abner Hicks. and
that he was man of peace, but he was a
great friend to King George, and that he
had brought load of oats to feed the
Kings horses on; that he was afraiGif he
left his oats at home the wicked Rebels
would steal it from him, as they had ,alrca-
dy stolen all his sheep and hogs. He fur
ther hoped that friend Howe would soon
clean all the Rebels out of the land.
His representations so pleased the Brit
ish Major that he gave him free pass for
the city. He now drove his team on board
the scow, and was soon rowed over and
landed on the Market street wharf Abner
now drove up Market street until he came
to Fifth street when, turning to his left, he
soon came to the "Black Bear Tavern"
where there was large yard for wagons.
He was met al the gate by guard, but
showing his pass was permitted to enter.
Now, it so happened that this very hotel
was the headquarters of about fifty of Gen
eral Howc's officers, whose horses were
quartered in the stables, which fact was
we'll known to friend Abner. When he
drove in the yard he gave his horses into
the care Of the hostler, and giving him an
English shilling, he told him to take good
care of his horses, as Il merciful man should
be kind to his beasts, rs the Scriptures
saith.
He now boldly entered the bar room, and
approaching the bar he enquired of mine
host fine wished to buy 25 bushels OF
prime Jersey OATS to feed the Kings horses
on; for, said he, have brought the food to
the city under much tribulation, for fear il
would be stolen from me by the sons Of
Belial the wicked Rebels. The bar room
was full of British officers, and Abner's re,
marks having attracted their attention, by
this time they had crowded around him
and were surveying the man of peace
Abner wore suit of coarse linsey woolsey
made up in the Quaker style. His beaver
had an immense broad brim he had 6
meek look, and lift had not been for the
flashes of his brilliant black eyes, he might
have been taken for simplcton. He made
several remarks, not addressing any one il
particular, saying that he was glad friend
Howe and his gentemanly soldiers had
possession of the city, and he hoped thai
they would soon clear the country of thu
wicked rag money Rebels that frient
King Georges government was the st il
the world; that the yoke was easy 80 tn,
burden light, as the Scriptures saith. 1
His remarks were received by tue young
Britons with applause, and the uncouth
simple Quaker had already produced a very
favorable impression on his audience, wheI
one of them asked him to take glass O
wine. To this tie simple Quaker Ia.,nr
red saying that the Good Book saith. "Iool
| UOI upon luc W ibC W uCii III Is TGu =, nut OF
being requested to take it for the King
sake, he agreed that he would merely tast,
the dangerous liquid, when filing large
goblet he raised it and saying "to friend
George" he drank it. This was received
with applause by the Red Coats. He now
handed his whip to the landlord, tellint
him to take good care oft. The whirr
was quite primitive one, being hick orl
stick with COW hide thong tied to if
Boniface bought the Quaker's oats t.
feed the Kings horses on, for which Ii
counted out the price in hard money. Alb
ner clutched the precious coin, and draw
ing from his pocket small well filled
stocking, he attempted to put his money!
it, when he awkwardly let his bag GiI !,
the floor, and a quantity of bright %uined
were scattered from it. Abner WIS ouici,
ly on his knees. 2atllfrjng up his snarLl;r,,
treasures, muttering sotte oace tl,at m M,an
was the root ofall evil, that il was dr To
and that all was vanity, as ii D s'.9ss'
saith. AT ibe sight of tks e.
ing coin,
meaning
time ABB
and ha(
irthat he