Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-15
KANT AND THE ROBBERS.


Divinity at Cracow. He was pious man,
with spirit peculiarly gentle and guileless;
and he at all times would have preferred to
suffer injustice rather than exercise it. For
many years he had conscientiously followed
his duties as spiritual teacher of the place to
which he had been appointed by God. His
head was covered with the SHOWS of age, when
he was seized with an ardent desire to visit
the scenes of his youth in his native country,
Silesia.
The Journey appeared fraught with peril to
one at his advanced age; but he set his affairs
in order and started on his way, commencing
himself to the care of God. He rode slowly
along, attired in his black robe, with long
beard and hair, according to the fashion of
the time. Then he pursued his way through
the gloomy woods of Poland, which scarcely
sunbeam could pierce but there was light
in his soul, for Gods Spirit irradiated it.
One evening, as he was thus journeying
along, holding communion with God and ta-
king no heed of objects beside him, on reach
ing an opening in the thick forest, tramp
ing noise was suddenly heard, and he was in
stantly surrounded by figures, some on horse
back and some on foot. Knives and swords
glittered in the moonlight, and the pious man
saw that he was at the mercy of band Of
robbers. Scarcely conscious of what passed,
he alighted from his horse and offered his
property to the gang. He gave them purse
filled with silver coins, unclasped the chain
from his neck, took the gold lace from his
cap, drew ring from his finger, and took
from his pocket his book. of prayer which was
clasped with silver. Not till he had yielded
all he possessed and seen bis horse led away,
did Kant intercede for his life.
"Have you given as all ?" cried the robber
chief, threateningly. "Have you no more
money!"
In his alarm and terror, the trembling
doctor answered that he had given them
every coin in his possession and on receiving
this assurance he was allowed to proceed on
his journey.
Quickly he hastened onward, rejoicing at
his escape, when suddenly his hand felt some
thing hard in the hem of his robe. 1t was
his gold, which having been stitched within
the lining of his dress, had thus escaped dis.
covery. The good man in his alarm, had
forgotten the secret store. His heart, there
fore, again beat with joy, for the money would
bear him home to his friends and kindred
and he saw rest and shelter in prospect, in
stead of long and painful wandering, with
the necessity Of begging his way.
But his conscience was a peculiarly tender
one, and he suddenly stopped to listen to its
voice. 1t cried in disturbed tones, "Tell not
a lie ! tell not lie" These words burned
in his heart. Joy, kindred, home, all were
forgotten.
Some writer's on moral philosophy have
held that promises made under such circum-
stances, are not binding, and few men GER
tainly, would have been troubled with such
scruples on the occasion. But Kant did not
stop to reason. He hastily retraced his steps,
and entering into the midst Of the robbers,
who were still in the same place, said meekly:
81 have told you what was not true; but it
was unintentional-fear and anxiety con-
fused me; therefore pardon me"
With these words, he held forth the gilt.
tering gold; but to his surprise, not one of
the robbers would take it. A strange feeling
was at work in their hearts. They could not
laugh at the pious man. "Thou shalt not
steal" said voice within them. All we're
deeply moved. Then, as if by sudden i'm
pulse, one went and brought back his purse
another restored the book of prayer, while
still another led his horse toward him and
helped him to remount it. Then they uni
tedly entreated his blessing and solemnly
giving it, the old man continued his way,
lifting up his heart in gratitude to God, who
broug ght him in safety to the end Of his jour-
ney.-Anqel of Peace.