The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-08-20
THE SOLDIERS WEE.
ATnRILLINe SKETCH.

One Of the most striking cases Of presence OF
mind and self-possession ol which we have any
recollection, came TO light on trial which took
place come years since in Ireland. The story
looks like fiction, but we have reason 10 believe
II qnie true. A woman travelling along road,
10 ioin her husband. who was soldier, and
quarieied al Aihlone, was joined By pedler,
Who was going The same way. They entered into
conversation during walk Of some hours, but
as The day began 10 wane, they agreed that
they should stop for The night At house OF en-
ierlanmeni. and pursue their irpedesirian journey
The next dsy. They reached an humble inn,
situated IN lonely spot by The roadside; and
fzigued aller long days walk, they were glad
tn find themselves under tie shelter Of roof.
Having refreshed themselves ~iih the subsian-
nal supper sci before them, they expressed a
wish to retire. They were shown into the
travellers ruom, end vent 10 rest in their re-
specii.e beds. The pedler before retiring, had
called The landlord aside and given into his keep
ing the pack. which lie had unsirapped from
his back, lll The morning, telling him that il con-
tanned a considerable sum Of money and much
valuable properly. They were moi long in bed
before The pedier fell into sound sleep; but the
poor woman, perhaps from oysr.iague. or
IRON thoughts ol meeting her husband next day
| las awake. A couple ol hours might have
passed, when she saw the door slowly opened,
/ and person enter holding light, which he
screened with his hand. She instantly recogni-
i zed 10 HIM one ol the young men she had seen
! below-son Of Tie landlord. He advanced with
sleaI,hy step 10 the bedside Of The pedler, and
4 r.. lsf ot,i
oui. aud entered again with his brother and his
falher, who held in his hand large pewieT
basin. They wenl on liploe 10 The bed.iGe,
where The peJier lay IN = deep sleep. One o
the young men drew ont knife. and while the
father held The basin sn ss To receive the blond
I he tul the ponr victims ihroa, fom ear 10 ear,
A slight, halfaudible groan. aud all was still
save the cautious movements ol The party enga'
ged ~ the fatal deed. They had brought IN wlil
Them y large sack, iniO sliIrh they quickly
thrust the unrcsisiing body. TIE poor womar
lay silently IN her bed. tearing that her turf
would come next. She heard low mu,ierng,
among lhe men. from which she soon gaihere'
hhal they were debating whelher they shoulI
murder her loo; az they feared she might hsy,
u in her power TO beiray them.
Oue OI tHenl salu tnal nt was sure U1at sht W u
fast asleep, and llis, there was NJ occasion :,
trouble ihrmselves more; but 10 make sure of thi
being The rase. one came 10 the bedside with III
camille in hi. hand. and the other with q knife
She kept her eyes closed IS u asleep. and ha'
such complete rommand over herself, as mol u
beiray. 10 her couniepance. any sign that sl'
vas conscious OF what was going on. The ran
die was passed close 10 her eyes, the knit
drawn across close 10 her thtoaiI she nete
winked, or shnwedby any movement Of ieatun
, OF of limb that she apptshrnded danger. :,
] the men whispered thai she was soundly asleel
-,ha, nothing was 10 be Irsred from hri, an,
i they went out Of The room. removing the sac
which contained The body Of the murdered man
{ How long must that night of horror hsye seem
ed 10 the pnoi lone wornan--how ffiglnfnl wa
c It's stiffness and darkness. The presence {
. mind which had 80 ss'onishingly enable her
. ac, parl 10 which she owed her life, susIaine