Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-12-05
THRTLLTNG INCIDENT.


Midnight Adventure of a Bride EIect--Ex-
sraordtnarY Revel.
Women often possess presence Of mind, and the
power Of self control under circumstances Of immi-
nent peril which seem almost foreign to their ma
turs and beyond the endurance Of delicate physi-
eal organization. striking instance Of self COM
mand, by lady whose fears must have been power
fully excited, and whose life of afluence had prOba-
bly, never before given her nerves any sevsrer test
than is incident to the vexaOns Of domestic cares
is given in Chandler Journal for October. We copy
the adventure, promising by way of explanation
that the lady was the daughter Of rector residing
in quiet English country village, and was upon
the eve Of marriage:
The Wedding-dsy was to be on the morrow Of that
on which our adventure happened Grand prepare
tons were made for the wedding; and the rector's
bne old plate, and the costly gifts Of the BRIDE
discussed with pride and pleasure ct the Hare and
Hounds, in the presence Of some strangers who had
come down to . prize-fght which had taken place
in the neighborhOOd.
That night, Adelaide, who occupied separate
room from her sister, sat up lateOng after all the
household had retired 10 rest. She had had long
interview with her father and had been reading 3
chapter to which he had directed her attention. and
since had packed up her Jewels sc. She was con-
Bequenty, still dressed when the church clock tolled
midnight. As ii ceased she faneied she heard
low noise like that Of fle she listened but could
distinguish nothing clearly. It might have been
made by some of the servants still about or perhaps
1t only the cresking Of the old trees She heard
nothing but the signing Of the winter winds for
many minutes afterward Housebreakers were mere
myths in primitive Thyndon and the bride elect,
without thought Of fear resumed her occupation.
She was gazing glittSSing set Of diamonds, de-
stined to be worn the wedding when her bedroom
door softly opened. She turned, looked up, and be-
held man with black mask; holding pistol in
his hand, standing before her.
She did not scream, for her thought was for her
father, who slept in the next room, and to whom
any sudden alarm might be death, for he was old,
feeble, and suffering from heart complaint. She
confronted the robber boldly, and addressed him in
q whisper: "YOu are come" she said, ''to rob US.
Spare your soul the awful guilt Of murder. My faith
er sleeps next to my room, and to be startled from
his sleep would kill him. Make no noise, beg Of
you"
The fellow was astonshed aud cowed owe won't
make any noise, he replied suddenly, eff you give
us every thing quietly"
Adelaide drew back and let him take her Jewels
not without pang, for they were precious love
gifts, remsrking at the same time, that two more
masked rufians stood at the half opened door. As
he took the jsWecase and watch from the table and
demanded her purse, she asked him if he intended
to 90 into her fathers room. She received surly
Affirmative: che wasn't agoing to run all risk and
leave half the tin behindl" She proposed instantly
that she shoBld 90 herself saying 81 will bring you
whatever you wish, and you may guard me thither,
and bill me if play false TO you" The fellow
suited his comrades and after a short pariey they
agreed TO the proposal; and with pistol pointed at
her head, the dauness girl crossed the passage and
entered the old rector's room. Very gently she
stole across the chamber, and removing his purse,
watch, keys and desk she gave them up to the rob-
bers who stood at the door The old man slept peace
fully and calmly, thus guarded by his child, who
softly shut the door, and demanded If the robbers
were yet satisfied.
The leader replied that they should be when they
had got the show Of plate spread out below and that
they couldn't let her out of sight and that she must
60 with them. In compliance with this mandate
she followed them down stairs to the diniugNrOom,
where splendid wedding breakfast had been laid
to save trouble and hurry on the morrow. To her
surprise, the fellOWs-eight in number when assem-
bled-seated themselves and prepared to make a
good meal. They ordered her TO get the wine, and
to cut her own Wedding>oake for them; and then
seated at the head of the table she was compelled to
preside at this extraordinary Fevs
They ate, drank, laughed and joked; aud Adelaide
quick Of ear and eye, had thus time to study in
her quiet way, the figures and voices Of the whole
set.
When the repsst was ended, and the plate trans
ferred to q sack, they prepared to depart, whisper
ing together and glancing at the young lady. For
the first time Adelsides courage gave way and she
trembled; but il was not consultation against her
a.
that they did not wish to rm her-that she was
ga jolly Weneh, regular game and they wouldn't
hurt her, but that she must swear not to give the
alarm till nine or ten the next day, when they should
be off sill safe To this, of she was obliged
TO assent, and then they all insisted on shaking
hands with her She noticed during this parting !
ceremony, that one of the rufisns had only three
fingers on the left hand.
Alone, and in the despoiled room, Adelaide, faint
and exhausted, awaited the first CLEAN of daylight, /
then, the robbers did not return she stole up to
her room, undressed and fell into disturbed slum-
Der. The CONSERVATION of the family next morning
may be imagined; and Adelaide's story was still /
more astonishing than the fact of the robbery it
self Police were sent for from London and they,
guided by Adelaide's lucid description of her mid
night guests, actually succeeded in capturing every
oneOf the gang, whom the young lady had no difficulty
indentifying and swearing to-the 'three-6ngered
Jack" being the guiding clue to the discovery. The
stolen property was nearly all recovered, and the
bid rector always deelared-Rnd with truth-that he
oEed his life to the selfpossession and judgment Of
his eldest daughter.
The only i'll effect of the great trial to her nerves
Vas disposition, tie part Of the young heroine
o listen for midnight sounds, and start uneasily
rom troubled dreams, but time and change Of resi-
lenoe soon effected its cure.
L .