Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-08-08
TIE SOLDIE RS WIFE.

One of the most king cases of presence If
mind and self possession of which we have any
recollection, came to light on n trial which took
place some years since in Ireland Tho story
looks like fiction, but we have reason to believe
IL quite true. A woman travelling along a road,
10 join her husband. who soldier, and quar-
tered M Athonr, was 10 med 10y pe'tar, who was
going the snme way. They entered into con
v"rsntlun daring walk of some hours; bat as tho
day began Ia wane, they agreed that they should
stop for the night at house Of cnter,ainment,and
pursue their pedestrian journey the next day
They reached an humble inn, situated in n lone
ly spot by the roadside: and fatigued after long
days wakthcy were glad to find themselves un-
der the shelter Of roof Having refreshed
themselves with the substantial supper set before
them, they expressed II wish Ia retire. They
were shown into the travellers room, aud went
tn rest in their respective beds The pedlar be-
fore refining, had called the landlord inside and
given into his keeping tho pack, which no had
nnstrappcd from hi. back till the 1norning telling
him that it contained n considerable sum of mon.
ey and much valuable property. They not
long in bed before the pedIar fell into sound
sleep; but the poor woman, perhaps from over.
ta'igue,or from thoughts of meeting her husband
next day, lay awake. A couple of hours might
have passed, when she the door slowly open
ed and person enter holding light which ho
screened with his hand. She instantly recogni-
bclowson TO the landlord. He advanced with
sieathy stop 10 the bedside Of the pedlar, and
watched him for few seconds. He then went
OUT and entered again with his brother and his
father who held in his hand large pewter basin
They went ON tptoe to the bedside, where the
pedlarla lay in deep sleep. One of the young
men drew out knife, aud while the father held
the basin So rs to receive the blood, he cut the
the poor victims throat from oar to ear. a
slight, half audible gronn and all was still, save
tho cautions movements of the party engaged
IN the fatal deed. They had brought in with
them large sack,into which they quickly thrust
the unresistin e body. The poor woman lay ST.
Ienty in her bed,tearing that her turn wculd Coma
next. She heard low muttcriugs among the men
from which She soon gathered that they were de.
batting whether they shoald murder her too; as
they feared she might have it in her ROVER to
betrav them.
one "i them SAID that he was sure that she was
last asleep, and that there no occasion TO
trouble themselves more but to make sure of this
| being the case one came to the bedside with the
candle IN hi hand, and the ether with knife
She Kept her eyes closed as if u sleep, and had
such complete command over herself as not to
betray III her countenance any sign that she was
conscious If what going on. The candle
was passed close TO her eyes; tie knife drawn
across close to her throat, she never winked, or
showed by any movement OF feature or of limb;
that she unprecedented danger. So the men whisper
ed that she WINS soundly asleep that nothing was
| to be tenredfrom her.and they went out Of the
room, removing the sack which contained tho
body oi the murdered man. How long must that
night OF horror have seemed 10 the poor lone wo.
man-h"w trightful was its stiffness and darkness
ne presence of mind which had SO astonishing.
| ~ enabled her To act a part TO which she owed
| her lite, sustained her through all the irving
scenes which she had yet to pass She did not
hurry from her room at an unreasonable hour but
waited until she heard all the family astir for
som" t'no she then went down, and said
| she believed she had over slept herself in con.o
! quence OF being greatly tired. She asked where
! the pedar was. and was told that he was in
to- great hurry TO wait for hor but that he
had ieit s'Npence to pay for her breakfast
She sat down composelly to that meal, and fore
en nrrSeif to partake with apparent appetite of
thf i""a sci before her. She appeared uncon-
s'loNs ~ tn" eyes WHICH, with deep scrutinv.
were hXed upon her, When the meal was over
she TOOK leave OF the family, and went on her
way "'hnat the least appearance of dscompo.
s"'' -, "''s'rust' She had proceeded but short
va when was joined by two strapning lookinr
Women One look was sufficient r. eonyinoe7
n'r mat they were the two young men. and on.
'n'uGht assured her that she was vet in tha;r
pm"'r' ana On the very verge of destruction.
/ 'nev waikedhy her side entered in conversation
asked her where she was going aud told b.r
| '"at theirro lay the same way; they oDes,ion.
h'f as TO where she lad lodged the tight be.
~, ,'''' aud made most minnie inquiries about. the
'a'"ny hhnblng H.. house of entertain
".'' IA answers we're quite unembarrasse5.
an she said ia people of the house hsd a,,nsnn
ed to he decent aud civil, and had fro .,e1 H..
very well, For two hours the Young ,nan ca,
hnned by Der side, convereiny VIII her a'I