The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1876-01-27
The Quaker Detective.

Y
been mother and daughter, aunt and
neice, governess and charge, or might
have sustained any other relationship
which makes it proper for two ladies
to travel together unattended.
The middle-aged gentleman was
sprightly and talkatiye, and soon
struck up an acquaintance with the
two ladies, toward whom, in his zeal
to do the agreeable, he rather over
did it-bowing, smiling, and chatter
ing in a most attentive manner He
was evidently a gay Lothario. The
Quaker wore the usual garb Of his sect,
and confined his speech, as many an
NJ. p. would save his credit by doing,
to simple yeas" and mays" As for
myself, l make it an inyariable rule OF
the road to be merely looker-on and
listener.
Toward evening was aroused from
one of those reveries into which a
young man without either being poet
or q loyer,w sometimes fall, by the alb
rupt query from the talkatiye gentle.
man.
Are you armed, sir?'
Il am not" replied, astonished,
no doubt, visiblv, at the question.
Il am sorry learit." be said, "for
before reaching our stopping place it
will be nearly Iii might. and we must
pass over a portion Of the road on
which more than one robbery is re-
ported to have been committed"
The ladies turned pale, but the
stranger did his best to rcassure them.
"Not that think there is the slight
est danger at present" he resumed
"only when one is responsible for the
safety Of ladies, you know, such a
thing as pistol in ones possession
would materially add to ones conf
dence. Your principles, my friend,'
he said, addressing the Quaker, II
presume, are as much opposed to car
rying as to using deadly weapons"
YEA" was the response.
Have the villains murdered any OF
their victims?" inquired the elder lady,
nervously.
"Or have they contented themselves
with-with plundering them?" added
the younger, in timorous voice.
Decidedly the latter" the amiable
gentleman hastened to give assurance
'and as we are none Of us prepared to
offer resistance in case of attack, moth
ing worse than robbery can befall US. .
Then, after blaming his thoughtless-
ness in having unnecessarily introduc-
ed disagreeable subject, the gentle
man quite excelled himself i'm his ef-
| forts to raise the spirits of the COM
| pany, and succeeded so well by the
time night set in, that all had quite
forgotten their fears, or only remem-
bered them to laugh at them.
Our genial companion fairly talked
himself hoarse. Perceiving which, he
took from his pocket package OF
newly-invented cough candy" and
after passing it first to the ladies, he
helped himself TO the remainder, and
tossed the paper out Of the window.
He was in the midst of high encom-
iums on the new nostrum, more than
half the efficacy Of which. he insisted,
depended on its being taken by sue
ton, when shrill whistle was heard,
and Immediately the coach stopped.
and two faces, hideously blackened,
| presented themselves, one at each win
| dow.
Sorry to trouble you. said the man
on the right, acknowledging with a
bow two iady-like screams from the
back seat; "but business is business.
and ours will soon be over il things go
| smoothly"
| "Of course, gentleman, you will spare
as far as may be consistant with your
disagreeable duty, the feelings of these
ladies?" appealed the polite passenger
| in the biandest manner.
''Oh, certainly, was the reply; "they
shall be first attended to, and shall not
be required 10 leave their places or
submit to search, unless their con
| duct renders il necessary
And now, ladies'" continued the
robber, the barrel Of his pistol gleam-
ing In the light OF the coach lamp, "be
SO good as to pass out your purses.
watches, and such other trinkets as
may be accessible without much
trouble"
The ladies came down handsomely.
l ".
| One by one the res of us were com
| PEELED to get out the middle-aged gen
tleman's turn coming first. He sub
mitted with winning grace, and was
robbed like a 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 saluablcs, said May
| A Quaker's word is good even among
thieves 50, 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 depar
ture. n
"Stop!" exclaimed the Quaker, in q
tone more of command than request.
stop! what for?" 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.
/ kobcpt dSdlil tAtlitililsl illc SylStktl
"and il one Of thy sinful companions
advances step to thy relief, the spirit
will surely move me to blow thy brains
out"
The robber at the opposite window
and the one at the leaders heads
thought II good time to leave.
Now get in, friend,' said thu
Quaker, still covering his man, 'anc
take the middle seat but first deliver
up thy pistol"
The other, however, hcsitated.
''Thee Lad better not delay" said tht
Quaker; 81 feel the spirit beginning tt
move my right foreiinSer."
The robbcr did as he was directed
and the Quaker then took his place b,
his side, giving the new conner tn,
middle of the seat. =a-~
II 4. n .