Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-07-06
MtsttII|anroua.
FEMALE COURAGE.

from the town Ot-- The famifv
consisted Of NJ. Aubry, his wife, child
about 1 year old, and one maid servant
In the little town. every light is out BY
ten o'clock. and OF course the most per.
feet solitude reigns al that hour ia their
house, which hes off The road. sad is com.
tpleiely hidden by trees.-One night last
winter, Madame Aubry was sitting alone,
reading. Her husband had left her 10
the morning 10 visit a friend some six
or eight males of. and al be expected
10 bring home considerable sum Of
money. be bad saken The unusual precau.
lion Of arning himself With pair Of pis.
tolls. Al about SIX . clock the lady went
up TO her room 70 pm; her child 10 bed
Her apartment was large room on the
first floor, ElIed up on one side by an old.
fashioned chimney, AID on The other by
a deep and spacious alcoye. near which
stood her infants cradle. The night was
a gloomy one. cold and dark. and even
now and then a dash Of rain beat against
the gothic windows. The trees 10 the
garden bowed 10 the wind aud their
branches came sweeping against the case
ment in short, it was night 10 which
the solitude Of the mansion was more,
complete aud melancholy than usual.
Madame Auory sat down ON low chair
near the FIRE, which byriis sudden flashes,
cast an uncertain hight, over The vast a.
partment, throwing its antique carving
and mouldingss BY. turns inip brighter re 4
lief OF deeper shade. She had her child
on her lap, and bad just timsbed prepar.
ing il for the cradle. She cast heryeyes
towards the alcoTe, io see If The cradle
was ready 10 receive its little occupant,
whose eyes was already closed. just
then, the fire flashed up brightly. and
threw a strong light On the a.coye, by
which the lady distinguished pair OF
feet. cased ia heavy nailed shoes peep.
ing out under The curtain ID front Of The
bed. A thousand thoughts passed through
her mind 10 40 instant. The<person hid.
den there was iheif. perhaps an assassin
that was clear. She had no protec
ton. no aid al hand.--HefA husband was
not to return I'LL eight at sunset, and it
Mas now only half-past six What was
to be done She did not utter single
cry. not even start on her seat. The ser.
want girl probably would not have had
such presence Of mind. Therobber proba-
bly, mesnl 10 remain quiet where he was
till midnight. and then seize the money
her husband was 10 bring with him; but
if be should find be was discovered, and
there was no one. 10 the house sui two
women he would not fail to leave his
hiding place. and secure their silence by
numbering them. Besides, might mol The
girl be the robbers accomplish Sever,
al slight causes fof suspicion occurred 10
her al once, and all these reflections pass
ed through her mind 10 less time Than vie
take 10 wriiethem. She decided at once
what she should do, which was, 10 send
The girl out OF the room.
You know that dish my husband likes,
said she, without betraying her alarm by
the least change inthe tones OF her voice,
i Thought TO have remembered to have
got Il ready for bis supper. Go down
stairs, and SEES, about il at once
Does not madame require my help
here, as she generally, does
NO, no. / will attend 10 every thing
myself. know my husband would not
be pleased, if he waste come home after
his ride, 10 such bad weather, and not find
good supper ready.
After some DELAYS, which increased in
the lady's mind that suspicion she was
forced 10 conceal, the girl left The room
The noise OF Der steps on the stairs died
away gradually, and Madame Aubry was
left alone with her child, with those two
feet motionless at their post, still peeping
on: under the curtain. She kept by the
fire, with her child on her lap. continuing
10 caress il add sing To- il, almost mechani,
cally. The child cried il wanted TO be
put to bed. but its cradle was near the al
cove--near those dreadful feet, how could
she find courage 10 60 near them AT
lasts she made violent effort. Come my
child, said she. and get up. Hardly able
to stand erect, she walked towards the al
cove, close to the robber. She put The
child in tie cradle, singing it 10 sleep as
usual. We may imagine how much in
clina,ion she had TO sing. Whea the
child fell asleep, she left 1t, and resumed
her seat by.ihe FIRE. She did no. dare TO
leave thereon II would arouse the s1s-
picions Of the robber. and Of the girl, pro-.
baby bis aecomplice. Besides. she could
not bear the thought Of leaving her child,
even ifit 10 purchase her own safely.
The clock pointed 10 seven. An, hour.
yet. whole hour. before her husband
would come !! Her eyes were fixed on
those feet, which threatened her with
death At any moment. with sort Of fas.
cinaiion. The deepest silence reigned 10
The room. The infant slept quietly. We
do moi know whether even an Amazon.
10 her place, would have been bold enough
10 try struggle with the robber.y Ma
dame d. Aubfy bad no arms besides,
she made ne claims 10 valor, but only TO
thai passive courage founded on reAec!
lion, which il far the rarer or the Two
Ezery few minutes. she would hear q
noise in the garden. In that noise, ray
Of hope shone. on her for a moment--it
was Der husband, il was deliyetance -
But no lit was only The wind aud rain,
or the shutters cracking. What an age
| esery minute seemed to be-. Oh. hea-
Efensi toe feet moved Does ihe thiel
ihean 10 leave bis hiding place I No. i
/ was opIy SLIGHT, probably an insolunta'
" movement, 10 ease himself - hang