THE WILY QUAKER.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 90, 21 November 1911, Page 2

THE WILY QUAKER.

A few years ago, when people were excited about a French invasion of England, a Quaker, residing at Epping, in Essex, being afraid, if such an event should tatye place, that he might lose his money, thought of the following stratagem to save it. He decided to hide £2OO in Epping Forest ; but for fear that he might die, or I be killed by the enemy, he thought it would not be prudent to hide it without acquainting somebody. Accordingly he fixed upon his neighbour, a smith, as a proper person to be entrusted with the secret. They set out together, and chose a spot by the side of a large oak, where a hole was soon made and the money very carefully deposited ; taking great care to cover it up with such exactness that no person travelling by chance that way might have any suspicion. They returned home. The next morning early the smith went and took the money away, not thinking the Quaker would so soon suspect his integrity. The Quaker, however, paid a visit to the spot where his beloved treasure was deposited, when, to his great surprise, it was gone. Suspicion immediately fell upon the smith, but, instead of accusing him, the Quaker thought of a stratagem to get his money back. He informed the smith he wished to add another £SO. This had the desired effect, for the smith immediately went and replaced the £290, not only to prevent his neighbour from judging him to be the thief, but to get the other £SO. Away they both went together, and opening the hole, the Quaker, to hi's great joy, discovered his beloved treasure. He immediately fell into the following ejaculation : “Ah, my friend, I find thee goest and comestbut for fear that thee shouldst go and never return, I’ll e’en take thee home, for I think thee art as safe in my house as in Epping Forest.” Thus ended the matter, to the no small mortification of the smith.