Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-06-24
NUMBER "A.
The soldiers wife.

f. A TARILLING sKErcn
One of the most striking cases Of presence of
mind aud self possession ever recorded came to
light in a trial which took place some years since
in Ireland A woman travelling along road TO
join her husband, who was soldier aud quartered
al Ahlone, was joined by pedlar, who going
the same way. They entered into conversation
during walk Of some hours but as the day be-
gan 10 wane, they agreed that they should stop fos
the night at some house Of entertainment and pur-
sue their pedestrian Journey the next day. They
reached an humble inn situated in lonely spot by
the road side and, fatgued after long days walk
they were glad to find themselves under the shelter
Of roof
Having refreshed themselves with the substantial
supper before them, they expressed a wish silently
to retire. They shown into the travellers
room, aud went to rest in their respective beds.
The pedar, before retiring, bad called the landlord
aside and given into his keeping The pack, which
he had unsirapped from his back till the morning
telling him that it contained considerable amount
of money and much valuable property. They we're
not long in bed before the pedlar fell into sound
sleep; but the poor woman, perhaps from over-fa
tigue or from thoughts of seeing her husband next
day, lay awake
couple Of hours might have passed. when she
the door opened, and person slowly enter hold
ing a light he screened with his hand. She instant
ly recognized in him one Of the young men she
had seen below-son 10 the landlord. He advanced
with steahy step 10 the bedside of the pedlnr, and
watched him for few seconds Hsthen went out
and entered with his brother and father, who held
in his hand large pewter basin. They went on
iipioe TO the bedside where the pedar lay in deep
sleep
One Of the young men drew out knife, and
while the father held the basin as to receive the
blood he cut the poor victims throat from ear 10
ear. slight halfaudble groan. and all was still,
save the cautious movements Of the party engaged
in the fatal deed They had brought in with them
large sack into which they thrust the unresisting
body The poor woman lay silent in her bed fearing
her turn would come next She heard low muiter-
ings among the men, from which she soon gathered
that they were debating whether they should muir
der her too, they feared that she might have Il
in her power 10 beiray them.
One of them said that he was sure she was fast
asleep, aud that there was no occasion 10 trouble
themselves more but 10 make sure Of this being
the case, one came 10 her bedside with the candle
in his hand, and the other, with the knife She
kept such perfect command over herself as not 10
belray in her countenance any sign that she was
concious Of what was going on. The candle was
passed close TO her eyes the knife was drawn
across close TO her throat; she never WINGED, o.
showed by any movement OF feature or Of limb that
she apprehended danger. So the men whispered
that she was soundIy asleep, that nothing 10 be
feared from her, aud went out Of the room, remoy.
ing the sack which contained the body OF the mur>
dered man.
How long must the night oil horror have seemed
TO that poor lore womanl How ffghtfnl was its
stiffness and darkness. The presence Of mind
which had astonishingly enabled her 10 acl a
part 10 which she owed her life sustained her all
through the trying which she had yet pass
She did not hurry from her room at an unusually
early hour, but waited till she had heard all the
family ssiir for some time. She then went down,
aud said she believed she had oversight herself To-
consequence Of being greatly tired She asked
where the pedar was, and was told that be was in
too great hurry TO wait for her. but that he had
left sixpence TO pay for her breakfast.
She sat down conposedy 10 that meal and fore
ed herself to parlake with apparent appetite Of the
food set before her. She appeared unconscious Of
the eyes which, with deep scrutiny were fixed upon
her. When the meal was over, she took leave Of
the family and went on her way without the least
appearance OF discomposure or mistrust. She had
proceeded but short way when she was joined by
two strapping looking women; one look was suf-
hcient TO convince her that they were the young
men, and one thought TO assure her that she was
! yet in their power and on the very verge OF des-
rucion.
They walked by her side entered into converse.
ton. asked her where she was going. and told her
that their road lay the same way they questioned
her as to where she had lodged the night before,
and made most minute inquiries about the family
inhabiting the house Of entertainment. Her an
swers were quite unembarassed; she said the
people Of the house appeared 10 be decent and civ
4 II, and had treated her very well.
For two hours the young men continued by her
side, coEyersing with her, and watched with the
most scrutinizing glance, any change in her coun-
tenance and asking questions which, had she not
been fully self possessed, might have put her of
her guard twas not until her dreaded compan-
ions had left her. aud till she saw her husband com.
ing along the road to meet her, that she lost her
selfcommand which she had successfully exer.
cised, and, throwing herself into his arms, tainted
away