The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-10-01


ing in the light OF the coach lamp. abe
so good as to pass your purses, watches
and such other trinkets as may be ac-
cessible 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 submitted with a winning
grace, and was robbed like very Ches-
terield.
My own affairs, like the sum l lost,
arc scarcely worth mentioning.
The Quaker's turn came next. He
quietly handed over his pocketbook and
watch, and when asked if he had any
other valuables said "Nay."
A Quaker's word Is good, even among
thieves; SO, after hasty goodnight" ="
the robber thrust his pistol into his
pocket, and with his two companions,
one of whom had held the reins of the
leaders, was about departing.
"Stopl" exclaimed the Quaker, in a
tone more of command than of request.
stop! What forP" returned the
other, in evident surprise.
"For at least two good reasons" was
the reply, emphasized with couple Of
derringers, cooked and presented.
"Help~ shouted the robber.
"Stop" the Quaker exclaimed; and
if any of thy siaful companions advance
a 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
it a good time to leave.
"Now, get in friend" said the
Quaker, still covering his man, take
the middle seat; but first deliver up the
pistol" The other hesitated.
"Thee had better not delay. 1 feel
the spirit begin to move my right FORE
finger"
The robber did as he was directed,
and the Quaker took his place at his
side, giving the newcomer 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 vivacity. He was espe.
cially facetious on the Quaker's prowess.
YOU'RE rum Quaker, you are. Why,
you don't quake worth cent"
81 am not Shaking Quaker il
that's what thee means"
"Of the Hickory or rather the Old
Hickory stripe, l should say" rctortei
the lively man. But the Quaker re-
lapsing 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 de-
ferred a redistribution of our effects
until we should reach this place, as the
dim light of the coach lamp would have
rendered the process somewhat diff
cult.
II was now necessary, however, that
it should be attended to at once, as our
jovial companion had previously an
nounced his intention of leaving us at
this point. He proposed n postpone
ment 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 pleasure, and, for business there
is no time like the present"
"Will thee be good enough to search
the prisoner" he said to me, still keep
ing his hand in q friendly way on the
passengers arm.
did so. but not one of the stolen az
ticles could be found.
"He must have got rid of them in the
COACH" the gay gentleman suggested,
and Immediately offered to 90 and
search.
"Stop" thundered the Quaker, tight
ening his grasp.
The man turned pale and struggled to
release his arm. In an instant one of
the derringers was levelsd at his heal
"Stir hand or foot, and you are
dead mani"
The Quaker must have been awfully
excited, 80 completely to forget both the
language and principles of his persua-
sion.
Placing the other pistol in my hand,
with directions to fire on the first of the
two men that made suspicious move
ment, he went to work on the Lothario,
from whose pockets, in less time than it
takes to tell it, he produced every item
Of the missing property, to the utter
of the two ladies, who had
begun in no measured terms to remon.
strate against the shameful treatment
The gentleman was receiving.
The Quaker, / need scarcely add, was
no Quaker at all, but shrewd detective
who had been set on the track of a band
Of desperadoes, of whom our middle
nged friend-who didn't look near SO
when his wig was off-was
The chief. The robbery had been most
Rdroitly planned. The leader OF the
gang had taken passage in the coach,
and after learning, as he supposed, our
Nefenseless condition, had given the sig-
nal to his companions by throwing out
the scrap Of paper already mentioned.
After the unexpected capture of the first
robber, 1t was attempted to save the
booty by secretly passing 1t to the ac-