Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-03-30

just as we reached clump of trees,
suddenly roughly dressed man sprang
from behind one and, Selling the horses
by the bits, pointed pistol at the
driver and ordered him to throw out
the express At the same time he
stepped to the side # the stage and
told the passengers to take out their
money. All were SO taken by surprise
that there was no time for man to
draw weapon, and there was no re-
sistance made The driver assured the
man that he had no express matter,
but tossed down the mail bag. Among
the passengers the first to take out his
money was the talkative youth.
He made quite show of get
ting out two dollars. which he
said was all he had, at the same time
urging the rest to shell out, as he said,
there being no kind of use in refusing.
The pistol was cooked and pointed right
into the stage, and the robber ordered
us to be quick. If there was any hest
tation the murderous looking weapon
came nearer, and so the men, even the
driver, took out their wallets, and the
poor frightened woman meekly pulled
out her little purse The wretched man
took it all, and then, with an oath, kicked
the mailbag up to his hand, shook it,
and tossed it into the stage, say ing there
was nothing in that which he wanted
he was after money. Now, it so CHANGED
that l had quite large sum of money
In my purse which / was conveying for
another person, but gave it very little
thought, neither was greatly moved by
fear. One feeling alone was borne in
upon my mind-that of great pity for
the poor wretch who took so base way
to obtain that which he might so easily
have earned by honest labor. I also felt
a moving of the spirit to bear testimony
against his great wickedness. But while
/ was in this frame of mind [ thought I
detected a glance of understanding be-
tween the young man in the stage and
the robber without, as if telling him that
he had overlooked me. Still I main
tanned my composure, and looked intent
ly. and no doubt with great compassion,
at this poor, misguided being. Sudden
ly his eyes met mine, and without speak
ing roughly to me or demanding my
money (Which [ would not have given
him except under great compulsion, 1
may say violence), strange to say his
countenance fell, and he turned away
from me, badethe driver whip the horses,
and himself disappeared in the woods.
1t has always been a matter of regret to
me that [ did not speak plainly to him
of his sin and folly, but perchance he
read it all In my countenance.
"As we pursued our way, there was
OF course much talk among the passen-
gers of what had happened, in which
this youth, of whom I have spoken, took
great part. He kept asserting that if he
had only had a pistol he would have
killed the robber ON the spot, and he APP
pealed to me several times to know if /
did not think that the deed would have
been iustifable. At first I kept silence,
but as he pressed the question I finally
said
"tDoes thee think he was prepared to
stand before his judge?
:'He made no answer, and I now felt
it to be my turn to insist; so l repeated
ed my question several times, and at
last he reluctantly answered, NO
/ reached my destination safely, and
delivered the money to it's owner: feel
ing greatly thankful to the kind Provi-
dence which had protected me in so
great a peril.
"Two weeks afterward the stage was
again robbed in nearly the same place,
and this time there were two highway
men. But their career was short one.
They were soon captured by our sheriff
and his men, and brought to justice. 1
visited them in jail, as it was my custom
to labor with prisoners, hoping they
might be snatched as brands from the
burning. Like Penelope, I recognized
the robber, and in his accomplice I also
found the unprincipled youth who rode
beside me in the stage. I talked with
them, and gave them Testaments, but /
know not whether the seed fell on stony
places, or bore fruit: / must leave that
till the great harvest. I once told this
tale to sister in the convent, and she
said: 1T aOas thy holy dress SAVED
thee but I think it was the good care of
nly Father IN he0Ue7."
A ShreWd Professor,