The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-12-04

take me along with you, I'll accompany
you TO The woods or 10 the village ale
house. Nor shall any of You have rea-
son 10 repent sparing my life, You are
in a well-stored mansion, but it is i'm
possible you should be acquainted with
all its secret corners; these | will now
show you, and if | do not make you
richer by several thousand dollars, then
serve me as you have my chamber
maid"
Robbers of this kind are certainly
villains. but nevertheless, they are still
men. The wholly unexpected tenden-
cy of the baroness's address, added TO
the more than ordinary beauty Of the
female, altogether produced powerful
effect on men whose hands were yet
reeking with blood. They all then
stepped aside, and consulted together
in low tone for some minutes. The
baroness was left quite alone, but she
betrayed not the least wish to escape.
She heard two or three thus express
themselves: "Lers despatch her. aud
the game will be all up" She, how
ever, scarcely changed her color, for
the opposition of the other did not es-
cape her acute ear. One, who was
probably the captain Of the banditti,
| now advanced towards her.
He asked twice or thrice whether he
might rely on the truth of what she
| said-whether she actually wished to
be released from the tyranny of her
| husband and go with them-and wheth-
er she was ready to resign herself to
one Of them, to himself fo7 instance,
during the few peaceful days they
could enjoy. Having replied in the
| affirmative to all these questions
having not only suffered the warm en-
brace of the robber, but returned it.
| flor what will not necessity excuse p
he at length said:
"Come along. then, and lead US
around. The devil trust you ladies of
rank, but we'll venture for once; but
let me tell you beforehand, that if you
were twice as handsome as you are.
this weapon should cleave your skull
the moment we saw the least DISPOSE
ton to escape or betray u.s."
"Then it will be safe enough, and if
this were the only condition of my be-
ing put TO death, would out-live you all,
and even the wandering Jew himself"
The baroness smiled when she pro-
nounced these words, and hastily
caught up the nearest lamp as though
she had been as anxious as any of them
10 collect the plumber and be gone, con-
Quoted the whole company through
every apartment, opened every door,
every drawer and every chest, assisted
in emptying them and packing up the
valuables; looked with the utmost in
difference over the mangled bodies,
spoke with theefamiIiari,y of an old ac-
quaintance TO each one of the horrid
troop, and willingly aided with her deli
cate hands in the most laboriouS occu-
patton.
Plate, money, jewels and other valu-
ables Were now collected together. and
the captain of the banditti was giving
the order for marching when his des-
tined bride caught him by the arm
"Did I not tell you," said she, "that
you should not repent making a friend
of me and sparing my life. You may in
deed have your fling in places you find
open; but it is pity you cannot come
at treasures that are a little concealed.
What do you suppose that among
Golfers SO full, there are no secret place?
Look here, and then you will be con-
vinced to the contrary"
She pointed to secret spring in the
Baron's writing desk. They pressed
upon it, and out fell $4,000!
e Zounds !" cried the leader of the
robbers, now see you are an incom-
parable woman. will keep you for
this as a duchess"
"And perhaps better STILL" she re-
piled laughing, "when l tell you of one
thing more. | am we'll aware that you
must have spies who informed you of
the absence of my tyrant, but they did
not tell you of the four thousand gull
ders which he received yesterday"
"Not syllable! where are theyw
"Oh, safe enough! under half doz-
en- locks and bolts. You would certain
ly not have found them and the iron
chest had It not been for me. Come
along, comrades, we have finished
above stairs, now we'll see what's TO be
done underit. Come along, with me,
say, into the cellar"
The robbers followed, but not without
precaution. At the entrance OF the
cellar, provided with a strong trap-door,
a man was posted as sentinel. The
baroness did not take the least notice
of this.
She conducted the whole troop to a
vault at the farthest extremity of the
cellar. She unlocked it, and in the
corner of this recess stood the chest
she had described "Here," said she,
giving the captain bunch Of keys,
here, unlock it. and take what you
can find as wedding-gift, if you can
obtain the consent Of your companions
as readily as you have gained mine"
The robber tried one key after an
other, but none would fit. He grew
impatient, and the baroness seemed
still more so.
"Lend me them," said she, II shall
find the way sooner. Indeed, if we
don't make haste, the morning may
overtake us. Ha! the reason, why
ra;fbor or ,,e'o.riI rp1oak II ;c hnoot,co