The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-20
Vancouver Independent.
OPTICAL PAPER OF CRY AND County.
Vancouver. Clarke County, Washington
Territory.
THE QUAKER DETECTIyE L.

We were five passengers in all two
ladies on the back seat, and middle
aged gentleman and a Quaker on the
middle. and myself in the front.
The 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 unat
tended.
The middle.aged gentleman was
sprightly and talkative. He soon struck
no an acquaintance with the ladies,
toward whom, in his zeal to do, he
rather overdid the agreeab le-bowing
and smiling, and chatting over his
shoulder in way painfully suggestive,
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
parliamentarian would save his credit by
doing, to simply ''yeas" and mays"
As for myself make it an invariable
rule of the road to be merely locker
on and listener.
Toward evening I was aroused from
one of those reveries into which young
man, without being poet or lover,
will often fall, by an abrupt query from
the talkative gentleman:
Are you armed sir?'
II am not" 1 answered. astonished
no doubt visibly, at the question.
II am sorry to hear it" he replies; for
before reaching the next stopping place
it will be several hours in the night, and
We must pass over part OF the road on
which more than one robbery is reported
TO have been committed
The ladies turned pale, but the stran-
ger did his best to reassure them.
Not that think there is the slightest
danger at present" be continued; 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, II presume, are as
much opposed to carrying as to using
carnal weapons?"
Yea" was the response.
''Have the villains murdered any of
their victims?" the elderly lady nervous
~ inquired.
"Or have they contented themselves
with-with plundering them?" 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 befall
u.s..
Then after blaming his thoughtlessness
in having unnecessarily introduced
disagreeable subject, the gentleman
quite excelled himself in his efforts to
raise the spirits of the company, and had
succeeded so well by the time night had
set in that all had q ute forgotten or re-
membered their fears to laugh at them.
Our genial companion fairly talked
himself hoarse; perceiving which he took
from his pocket box of newly invented
scough drops" and, after passing it to
the ladies'. he helped himself to the bal
ance and tossed the paper out of the
window.
He was in the midst of a high enco-
mum on the new nostrum, more than
half the efficacy of which, he insisted,
depended on its being taken by suction.
when a shrill whistle was heard, and al
most Immediately the coach stopped,
while two faces, hideously blackened.
presented themselves at each window.
'.Sorrv to trouble you," said the man
Oh tue tlSul, dchuOMlccSluS Will ii W"
two lady-like screams from the back seat
but business is business, and ours viii
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, Ill
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 unnecessary.
''And now, ladies" continued the rob-
Der, the barrel of this 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
without too much trouble"
The ladies' came down handsomely,
and were not further molested.
One by one tie rest got out. The
middle-aged gentleman s turn came first.
He submitted with winning grace, and
was robbed like a very Chesterfield.
Nv 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 any
other valuables. said, Nay"
A Ouaker's word is good, even am Yong
thieves; so, after a 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
departing.