The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-14
THE PRESS.
THE QUAKER DETECTIVE.

We were five passengers in all-two ladies
On the back seat, and middle-aged gentle
man and Quaker on the middle, and my
self on the front.
Tie two ladies might have been mother |
and daughter, aunt and niece, governess |
and charge, or might have sustained any |
other relationship which make it proper for |
two ladies to travel together unattended.
The middle-aged gentleman was sprightly |
and talkative. He soon struck up an &C
quaintance with the ladies, toward whom in |
his zeal to do, he'rather overdid the agreea-
and smiling, and chattering |
over his shoulder in a way painfully sugges- |
tive at his time of life, of "crick" in the |
tick. He was evidently gay Lothario.
The Quaker wore the uniform of his sect
and confined his speech, as many parma
mentarian would save his credit by doing;
to simply "yeas" and 'snays.' AS for my
self make it an inyariabe rule of the road
to be merely a lookeron and listen.
Towards evening | was aroused from one
of those reveries into which young man,
without being poet ora lover, will some
times fall, by an abrupt query from the
laxative gentleman:
''Are you armed, STRIP
II am not" | answered, astonished, no
doubt visibly, at the question.
II am sorry to hear it," he replied; for,
before reaching our next stopping place, IL
will be several hours in the night, and we
must pa: s over portion OF the road on WHICH
more than one robbery is reported to have
been committed"
ia ladies turned pale, but the stranger
''u 1e Ne ut to reassure them.
ao no. ~ o,ias link there is the slightest
uangef at preseiies, he resumed; ''only
when one is responsible s,r the safety of the
ladies, you know, such thi.-g as a pistol in
reach would materially add to ane,s conf
dence.'
''Your principles, my FRIEND" addressing
the Quaker, 81 presume, are as much co,
posed to carrying as to using carnal weap-
ons?
YEA" was the response
"Have the villains murdered any of their
victims?" the elderly lady nervously inquir-
ed.
''Or have they con ented themselves with
with-plnndering them" added the younger,
in timorous voice.
Decidedly the latter the amiable gef-
tleman fastened to give assurance; land W.,
are none of us prepared to offer resistance
in case of attack, so nothing worse than rob
berry can possibly befall u.s."
Then, after blaming his thoughtlessness
in having unnecessarily introduced disa-
greeable subject, the gentleman quite ex-
celled himself in efforts tn raise the spirits
of the company, and had succeeded so well
by the time night had set in that all had
quite forgotten or remembered their fears to
ugh at them.
Our genial companion fairly talked him
self hoarse; perceiving which he took from
his pocketa box of newly invented cough
candy" and after passing it to- the ladies,
he helped himself to the balarc and tossed
the paper out of the window.
He was in the midst of a high encomium
on the new rostrum, more than half the eff
ficacy of which, he insisted, depended on
its being taken by suction, when a shril
whistle was heard, and almost Immediately
the coach stopped, while two faces, hideous
ly blackened, presented themselves one al
each window.
''Sorry to trouble you," said the man or
the right, acknowledging with bow two
lady-like screams from the back seat; ''bu1
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 yoIr disagree
able duty, the feelings of these ladies'" APP
manner.
"Oh! certainly; they shall be first attended
TO, and shall not be required to leave their
places unless their conduct renders jt nee
essary.
"And now, ladies'" continued the robber,
the barrel of his pistol glittering in the light
OF the coach lamp, 'be SO good as to pass
your purses, watches and such other trink-
cts as may be accessible without too much
trouble"
The ladies came down handsomely, and
were not further molested.
One by one the rest got out. The middle
aged gentleman's turn came first He sub
United with winning grace, land was robbed
like very Chesterfield.
My own affairs, like the sum l lost, are
scarcely worth mentioning.
The Quaker's turn came next. He quiet
ly handed over his pocket-book and watch,
and when asked if he had any other valua-
bles 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 de-
parting.
"Stopp' exclaimed the Quaker in tone
more OF command than of request.
stop! What for?' returned the other in
evident surprise.
''For at least two good reasons,' was the
reply, emphasized with couple of derrin-
gers, cooked and presented
''Help" shouted the robber
'Stopr' the Quaker exclaimed; '.and if
any. of thy sinful companions advance step
to blow thy brains out.'' |G
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 thy pistol"
The other hesitated
Thee had better not delay. l feel the
spirit begin to move my right forefnger'
The robber did as he was directed, and
the Quaker took his place at his side, giving
the new conner the middle of the seat.
The driver, who was frightened half out
OF his wits, now set forward at a rapid rate.
The lively gentleman soon recovered his vi
yacity. He was especially facetious on the
Quaker's prowess. "You're rum Quaker.
you are. Why, you don't quake worth
cent"
Pm not Shaking Quaker if that's
what thee means"
"Of the Hickory or rather the odd Hick-
Dry, stripe, should say" retorted the
lively man. But the Quaker relapsing into
his usual monosyllables, the conversation
tagged.
Sooner than we expected, the coach
stopped where we were to have supper and
change of horses. We had deferred a re-
distribution of our effects until we should
reach this place, as the dim light of the
coach lamp would have rendered the process
somewhat difficult.
1t was now necessary, however, that ii
should be attended to at once, as our jovial
companion had previously announced his
intention of leaving us at this point He
proposed postponement till after supper,
which he offered to go and order.
'Nay," urged the Quaker, with an ap-
proach of abruptness, and laying his hand
on the others arm. Business before pleas
ure; and, for business, there is no time like
the present.
wilt thee be good enough to search the
prisoner" he said to me, still keeping his
hand in friendly way on the passengers
arm.
1 did so, but not one of the stolen articles
could be found!
"He must have got rid of them in the
COACH" the gay gentleman suggested, and
Immediately offered to go and search.
"Stopm Numbered the Quaker, tighten
ing his grasp.
The man turned pale and struggled to re-
lease his arm. In an instant one of the DEL
ringers was levelled at his heart.
Stir hand or foot, and you are dead
manw
The Quaker must have been awfullv ex-
cited, SO completely to forget both the Ian