Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-24
NO. AZ.
Gales ano Skettbes.
THE QUAKER DETECTIVE.

gentleman and Il Quaker on the middle.
and myself ON the front,
The two ladies might have been mother
and daughter. aunt and niece, governess
and charge. or might have sustained any
OIL er relations h p which makes it proper
tor two Young ladies TO travel together un-
attended.
The middle-aged gentleman was
sprichtly and talkative. lie soon struck
up an acquaintance with the ladies,
towards whom in his zeal To do. he rather
overdid the greeable-howing and chat
ting over his shoulder in very painfully
suggestive, al his time of life, OF u "crick"
in the tick He was evidently gay
lothario.
The Quaker Wore the uniform of his
sect. and confined his speech. rs many
parliamcntarian would save his credit by
doing, TO simply ''yeas" and mays" AS
tor myself make it IN invariable rule Of
the road to be merely 4 lookcr-on and
| listen.
| Towards evening was aroused from
one of those revcries into which young
man, without being poet or lover. will
sometimes tall, by an abrupt query from
the 'alkativc gentleman
"Are YOU armed. sir ,"
| Il 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 it will he several hours in the night,
and we must pass over II portion of the
road on which more than one robbery is
reported TO have been committed"
| The ladies turned pale. but the stranger
did his best to reassure them.
| .sNnt th,t I th;nl thora ;s tho Sl; rh
danger at present." he resumed; '.only
when one is responsible for the safety of
ladies. You know, such Il thing rs Il pistol
in reach would materially add to ones
confidence.
Your principles, my friend" address
ing the Quaker, Il presume are as much
opposed to carrying Us to using carnal
weapons P''
Yea" was the response.
"llave the Williams murdered any of
their victims ?" the elderly lady nervous
ly inquired.
''Or have they contented themselves
with-with- plundering them P" added
the Younger. in timorous voice,
Decidedly the latter" the amiable
gentleman fastened to give assurance;
"and we are none of us prepared TO offer
resistance in case of attack. so nothing
worse than robbery can possibly beiall
u.s.
Then after blaming his thoughtless-
ness in having unconsciously introduced a
dsagreeabe subject. the gentleman quite
excelled himself in efforts to 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 laugh at them.
Our genial companion fairly talked him
self hoarse; perceiving which, he took
from his pocket box of newly-invented
cough candy" and, after passing it TO
the ladies. he helped himself to the bal
ancc and tossed the paper out of the win
dow.
He was in the midst of high cncomium
on the new nostrum, more than half the
efficacy of which, he insisted, depended
on its being taken by section. when
shrill whistle was heard. and almost i'm
mediately the coach stopped. while two
faces, hideously blackencd. presented
themselves, one at each window.
"Sorrv to trouble you.'' said the man
on the right. acknowledging with a bow
two ladylike screams from the back seat !;
''but business is business and ours will
soon be over il things 90 smoothly"
|
As far as may he consistent with your dis
agreeable duty the feelings OF these la
dies" 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, abe so good
as to pass your purses, watches, and other
such 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 mid
die aged gentleman turn came first. lie
submitted with IA winning grace, and was
robbed like very Chesterfield.
Ny own affairs, like the sum lost, are
hardly 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
valuables said. Nay"
A Quakers's word is good. even among
thieves; so. after a 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.
'.Stopr' 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
derringcrs, cooked and presented.
.'IIelp,'' shouted the robber.
"Stop,'' the Quaker exclaimed, ''and
if any of thy sinful companions advance
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 q
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 besitated.
Thee had better not delay. feel the
spirit begin to move my right forefnger. !"
The robber did as directed. and the
Quaker took his place at his side, giving
the newcomer the middle of the seat.