Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-09-24
From the New York Mirror.
FEMALE COURAG GE.

forms the subject of conversation at pre-
sent in the French metropolis. Madame
Aubrey, lives in solitary chatau, not
far from the town of --~-. The fam
lily consists only of NJ. Aubrey, his wife,
child about year old, and one maid
servant. in the little town, every light is
out by ten O'Clock and Of course the
most perfect solitude reigns at that hour
in their house, which lies of the road,
and is completely hidden by trees One
night last winter, Madame Aubrey was
sitting alone reading.-Her husband had
left her in the morning 10 visit a friend
some six or eight miles off and as he ex-
pected 10 bring home considerable sum
Of money, he had taken the usual pre-
caution Ofarming himself with a pair of
pistols. At about six o'clock the lady
went up TO her room to put her child in
bed. Her apartment was large room
on the first floor, filled up on one side by
an old fashioned chimney, and on the 9th
or BY deep and spacious alcove, near
which stood her infants cradle. The
night wss a gloomy one, cold and dark,
and every now ana then dash Of rain
beat against the gothic windows. The
trees in the garden bowed to the wind,
and their branches came sweeping against
the easement; in short, it was night in
which the solitude Of the mansion was
moro -eemplete and melancholy than u.s.
ual. Madame Aubrey sat down on low
chair near the fire, which by its sudden
flashes, casting uncertain light over the
apartment throwing ifs antique carvings
and .mouldings by turns into brighter re-
lief or deeper shade. She had her child
on hetlap, and had just finished prepar-
ing it, for the cradle. She cast her eyes
towards the alcove to see if the cradle
was ready to receive its little occupant
whose eyes were already closed. Just
then the FIRE flashed up brightly, and
threw a strong light on the alcove, ly
which the lady distinguished pair of
feet cased in heavy nailed shoes, peep
ing out under the curtain in front of the
bed. A thousand thoughts passed thrO'
her mind in an instant. The person hid
den there was a thief, perhaps an assas-
sin, that was clear. She had no protec-
tion, no aid at hand. Her husband was
not to return till eight at soonest, and it
was now only half past six. What was
10 be done She did not utter a single
cry, nor even start from her seat. The
servant girl probably would not have had
such presence of mind The robber
probably meant TO remain quiet where
he was till midnight; and then seize the
money her husband was TO bring with
him. Butlf he should find he was dis
covered, aud that there was no one in the
house but two women, he would not fail
TO leave his hiding place, andsecure their
silence by numbering them. Besides,
might not the girlbe the robbers accom-.
plicef Several slight causes of suspicion
occurred 10 her at once and all these re-
Elections passed through her mind in less
time than we take 10 write them. She
decided at once what she would do, which
was to send the girl out Of the room.
You know that dish my husband
likes," said she, without betraying her
alarm by the least change in the tones
Of her voice. " ought 10 have remem.
bered 10 have got it ready for his supper;
90 down stairs and see about it at once p
"Does madame require my help as
che generally dcesi"
"No, no, | will attend to every thing
myself know my husband would be
displeased, If he was TO come home after
his ride, and not find supper ready"
After some delay which increased in
the lady's mind that suspicion she was
forced TO conceal, the girl left the room
The noise of her steps on the stairs died
away gradually, and Madame Aubrey was
left alone with her child, with those feet,
too, motionless al their post, still peep
ing out under the curtain. She kept by
ths fire, with her child on her lap, COntn-
uing to Caress ii, and sung TO it almost
mechanically. The child cried, it wanted
10 be put to bed but lis cradle was near
the alcove--near those dreadful feet, how
could she find courage 10 60 near them
At last she made violent effort. "COme,
my child,s said she, and got up. Hardly
able 10 stand erect, she walked towards
the alcove, close to the robber. She put
the child in the cradle, singing il to sleep
as usual. We may imagine how much
inclination she had 10 sing. When the
child fell asleep she left il and resumed
hcr seatby the FIRE. She did not dare to
leave the room it would arouse the sus-
Picions Of the robber, and of the girl,
probably his accomplce. Besides she
could not bear the thought ofleaving her
child, even ift was TO purchase her own
safety. The clock pointed at seven. An
hour yet, a whole hour before her hus-
band would come. Her eyes we're fixed
on those feet which threatened her with
death at any moment, with faocnation
The deepest silence reigned in the
room. The infant slept quietly. We do
not know whether an Amazon. in her