Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1878 — A Woman’s Device. [ARTICLE]

A Woman’s Device.

A few years ago, says an English paper, when highway robberies were more frequent than at present, the passengers of a stage coach, on its way to town, began to talk about robbers. One gentleman, expressing much anxiety lest he should lose ten guineas, was advised by a lady who sat next to him, to take it from his pocket and slip it into his boot, which he did immediately. It was not long before the coach was stopped by a highwayman, who, riding up to the window on the lady’s side, demanded her money; she declared that she had none, bat if he would examine the gentleman’s boot he would find ten guineas. The gentleman submitted . patiently, but when the robber departed he loaded his female traveling companion with abuse, declaring her to be in confederacy with the highwayman. She confessed that appearances were against her, but said if the company in the stage would sup with her the following evening in town she would explain a conduct which appeared so mysterious. After some debate, they all accepted her invitation; and the next evening, in calling on her, were ushered into a magnificent room, where a very elegant supper was prepared. When this was over, she produced a pocket-book, and. addressing the gentleman who had been robbed, said, “ In this book, sir, are bank notes to the amount of £I,OOO. I thought it better for you to lose ten guineas than me this valuable property, which I had with me last night. As you have been the means of saving it, I entreat of your acceptance of this bank bill of £IOO.