Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-10-28
The Quaker Detective.


We were five passengers in all-twC
ladies on the back seat, and a middle
aged gentleman and a Quaker and my
self on the front.
The two ladies might have been moth
er and daughter aunt and niece, govern
ess and charge, or might have sustain
ed other relationship which make il
proper for two ladies to travel together
unattended.
The middleaged gentleman was spright
ly and talkztive. He soon struck up al
acquaintance with the ladies, toward
did the agreeable-bowing and smiling
and chatting over his shoulder in way
plainly suggestive, at his time of life, OF
"crick" in the tick. He was evidently q
gay Lothario.
The Quarker wore the uniform of his
sect. and confined his speech, as many a
parliamentarian would save his credit
by doing, to simply "yeas" and mays
As for myself l make it an anvariable
rule on the road to be merely a looker-on
and listen.
Toward evening l was aroused from
one of those reveries into which a young
man, without being a poet or lover
will sometimes fall by an abrupt query
from the talkative gentlemen:
Are you armed, sir?"
81 an not" l answered, astonished, nc
doubt, visibly, at the question.
81 am sorry to hear it" he replied
"fOr, before reaching our next stopping
place. it will be several hours in the
night, and we must pass over a portion
of the road on which more than one
robbery is reported to have been COM
mitted.'
The ladies turned pale, but the stran-
gsr did his best to reassure them.
Not that l think there is the slightest
danger at present" he remarked; "only
when one is responsible for the safety
OF the ladies, you know such thing as
pistol in reach would materially add
to ones confidence"
Your principles, my friend" address
ing the Quaker, "I presume, are as
much opposed to carrying as to using
carnal weapons?"
"Yes," was the response.
"Have the Williams murdered any Of
their victims?" the elderly lady ner-
yously inquired.
"Or have they contented themselves
with-with-plundering them?" added
the younger, in a timerous voice.
Decidedly the latter" the amiable
gentleman hastened to give assurance
"and we are none of US prepared to of
fer resistance in case of attack, so moth
ing worse than robbery can possibly be-
fall us"
Then, after blaming his thoughtless-
ness in having nnconsciously introduced
disagreeable subject, the gentleman
quite excelled himself in efforts to raise
the spirits of the company, and had sue
ceeded so well by the time night had set
in that all had quite forgotten or re-
membered their fears to laugh at them.
Our genial companion fairly talked
himself hoarse; perceiving which he
took from his pocket a box of newly in
vented cough candy" and, after pass
ing it to the ladies, he helped himself to
the balance and tossed the paper out of
the window.
He was in the midst Of high encom-
ium on the new nostrum, more than half
the efficacy of which, he insisted, depen-
ded upon its being taken by suction,
when shrill whistle was heard, and al
most Immediately the coach stopped ,and
two faces hideously blackened, presented
themselves one at each window.
Sorry to trouble you," said the man
on the right, acknowledging with bow
two ladylike screams from the back
seat; but 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 your
disagreeable duty, the feelings of these
ladies'" appealed the polite passenger, in
his blandest manner.
"Oh! certainly; they shall be first at
tended to, and shall not be required to
leave their places, unless their conduct
renders it necessary"
"And, now, ladies'" continued the rob-
Der, 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 trinkets as may be accessible with
out too much trouble"
The ladies came down handsomely,
and were not further molested.
One by one the rest got out. The
middle-age1 gentleman's turn came first
He submitted with winning grace, and
hho tOODCu IihO q fOl J SuCcOCluolu.
My own affairs, like the sum 1 lost,
are scarcely worth mentioning.
The Quaker's turn came next. He
quietly handed over his pocket-book, and
when asked if he had any other valua-
bles said may"
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 had held the reins of the
leaders, was about departing.
"Stopp exclaimed the Quaker, in a
tore more of command than of request.
"Stopl What for ?" returned the other,
in evident surprise.
"For at least two good reasOhs," was
the reply, empasiZed with couple of
derringers cooked and presented.
"Helpp shouted the rObber.
"Stopp the Quaker exclaimed; "and
if any Of thy sinful companions ad-
vance 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 good time to leave.
"Now, get in, friend" said the Quaker,
still covering his man, "take the middle
seat; but first deliver up thy pistol"
The other hesitated.
Thee had better not delay. l feel the
spirit begin to move my right foretinger."
The rObber did as he was directed, and
the Quaker took his place at the side,