Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-01-08

renders it necessary"
"And now, ladies'" continued til
robber, the barrel of his pistol glitter
ing in the light Of the coach lar. ,, "be
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 a very Ches-
terfeld.
Ny own affairs, like the sum lost,
are scarcely worth mentioning.
The Quaker's turn came next He
quietly handed over his pocket-book and
watch, and, when asked if he had an-
other valuables, 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 had held the reins of the
leaders, Was about departing.
"Stop!" exclaimed the Quaker i'll a
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
derringers cooked and presented.
"Help!" shouted the robber.
"StOp!" the Quaker exclaimed; "and
il any of thy sinful 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 good time to leave.
"Now, get in. friend, said the Quaker.
still covering his man, take the middle
scat; but first deliver up the pistol. y
The other hesitated.
"Thee had better not delay. Ifeel
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
ont 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 q rum Quaker, you are.
Why, you don't quake worth cent"
Il am not Shaking Quaker, if
that's what thee MEANS"
"Of the Hickory or, rather, the
odd Hickory stripe, I should say. u
retorted the lively man. But the Quaker
relapeing into his usual monosyllables.
the conversation tagged.
Scaner :.,.u We expected the coac!
stopped where We were to have supper
and change of horses. We had de-
ferred redistribution Of our effects un.
til We should reach this place, as the
dim light of the coach lamp would have
rendered the process somewhat difficult
1t was now necessary that it should
be attended to at once, as our jovia
companion had previously announced
his intention Of leaving us at this point
he proposed a postpOnement till aftel
supper, which he offered to go ant
order.
"Nay," urged the Quaker, with al
approach of abruptness, and laying hi
hand on the others arm. cuisines
before pleasure; and, for business, Their
no time like the present.
"Will thee be good enough to searcl
the prisoner?" he said to me, still keep
ing his hand in a friendly way on Tia
passengers arm.
I did so, but not one OF the stolen al
ticles could be found.
"He must have got rid of them in tn
COACH" the gay gentleman suggested
and immediately offered to go an
! search.
"Stop!" thundered the Quaker
tightening his grasp.
The man turned pale and struggled
release his arm. In an instant cne {
tho Neryi-yeis was ieveled at his heat
"Str Q hand or foot, and you are
: dead man !" ,.. .
e The Quaker must have been awful
: excited, so completely to forget both Il
y language and principles Of his persu'
8 sion.
Placing the other pistol in my hant
: with directions to fire on the first of Ii
b two men that made a suspicious NOV
ment, he went to work on the Lothari'
n from whose pockets, in less time than
a takes to tell it, he produced every itel
9 of the missing property, to the utt'
!, amazement of the two ladies, who ha
o begun in no measured terms to remol
strate against the shameful trea mel
L that gentleman was receiving.