The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-08-15
The Lady and the Robbers.

"
ina charming village, situated in a
truly romantic country, but at a consid-
cradle distance from the high road, Ba-
ron r.. vas accustomed 70 spend the
summer. His mansion, built on an
eminence, was perfectly adapted to his
fortune. It was spacious building
elegant within and without, and dis.
played q good style of architecture. Ii
was about two hundred PAGES from the
village,
Business obliged the baron to take
ajourney of a few days. His wife, q
young and beautiful woman scarcely
twenty years of age--remained at home
He took with him two of his servants,
and two others were left with baroness.
No violation of the public security had
ever been heard of in that of the coun.
try; and rs the baroness did not belong
to the timid portion of her sex, the idea
Of danger was far from entering her
mind.
The second evening after the baron's
departure, as she was stepping into bed,
she heard an alarming noise in an apart
ment near the chamber. She called,
but received no answer. The noise,
screaming, and confusion grew louder
every minute. She was at loss to
conceive what was the matter, and has.
tily putting on garment went to the
door to discover the cause. What q
horrid spectacle presented itself. Her
two servants, half naked, were extend
cd lifeless on the floor! The room
was full ofstrange and MISUNDERSTANDING
men, the baroness's chambermaid was
kneeling before one of them-and in
stead ofthe mercy she implorcd, re-
ceived the fatal stroke. No sooner did
the door open than two of the barbara
ans, with drawn swords, rushed towards
1t. What man-not to say what wo.
man-would not have been struck with
the utmost terror-and given up life
ard every thing as lost I? A loud
shrek of despair-a flight of q few pa
ces would, probably, be the last re.
source of many. The baroness, how
ever, conducted herself in q different
manner.
'And you have come at last!' cx-
claimed she, with tone of heartfelt
JOY, and advancing towards her two as.
sailants with haste which highly as
tonished them both, and fortunately
stopped their upliftcd weapons.
Are you come at last!' repeated she;
"such visitors as you I have long wish
ed to see.'
'Wishcd,' muttcred ono Of the assas-
sins. sWhat do you mean by that?
but stay, I will
He had already raised his cutlass,
but his comrade avertcd the stroke
Stop moment, brother,' said he, 'let
us first hear what she would have
Nothing but what is your pleasure,
brave comrades. You have made
charming work here I see. You are
men after my own heart, and neither
you nor shall have any reason to re-
pent it, if you will listen for two min
utes to what [ have to say
Speak! speak, cried the whole COM
pany.
But be quick added one of the fer
cest of them, for VIC shall not make
much ceremony with you either
Nevertheless, l hope you may, if
you but grant me hearing Know then
that | am, to be sure, the wife of the
richest gentleman in the country-but
the wife of the meanest beggar cannot
be more unhappy than am. My hus-
band is one of the most jealous and
niggardly wretches on the face of the
earth. hate him as I hate tho,
and it has long been the fcrvent wish of
my heart to get out Of his clutches,
and at the same time pay him off old
scores. All my servants were his spies
and that fellow, whose business you
have done SO completely, was the worst
OF them all. am scarcely twenty-five
and, as [ flatter myself, at least not ug-
ly! lfany of you choose to take me
alcng with you, | will accompany him
to the woods or to the village alehousc.
Nor shall any Of you have reason to
repent sparing my life. You are in a
wellstored mansion, but it is impossible
you should be acquainted with all its
secret corners. These T will show you,
and if | do not make you richer by
5000 dollars, then serve me as you
have my chambermaid.'
Robbers Of this kind are certainly
Williams but neverthpInse fbo,, ,ro ,t;ll