Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-11-30
THE GAZETTE.
MORNING, NOVEMBER 80, 1855
A MIpNlGur ADVENTURE.

stances of ipminent peril, which seem al
most foreign to their nature and beyond the
endurance Of a delicate physical organization.
A striking instance OF ?elt command, by a
ladv whose fears must have been powerfully
excited, aud whose life Of tfiucDce had prob
ably never before given her nerves any sever
or test than is incident to the vexations of do
mestic cares, is given in Chambers journal
OF last month. We COPY the adventure pre-
missing by way oil explanaton, that the lady
was the daughter OF rector residing III a
quiet English country village, aud Wa, upon
the eve OF marriage:
The wedding day was to be on the morrow
Of that on which our adventure happeneu -
Grand preparations were made Tor the "ru
ding: and the rector's foe old plate, ahc the
costly gift, of the bride, were discussed "i'h
pride and pleasure at the Hare and iicunoS,
In the presence OF some strangers VINO hsC
come down to prze-hSht which had taken
place IN the neighbornood.
That night, Adelaide, who occupied sep
arate room from her sister, sat up late-iong
after all the household had retired to rest
She had had long Interview with her father
and had been reading chapter to "hich De
had directed her attention, and since hao
packed up her jewels etc. She was conse-
ooen,ly. still dressed, when the church clock
toied midnight AS it ceased she beard
lag noise like that of file; she listened.
bu, could distinguish nothing clearly. II
might have been made by some OF the ser
wants still about, or perhaps 1t was only tire
creaking Of the old trees. She heard nothing
bat the signing Of the winter winds for many
minutes afterward. House'breakess were
mere myths in primitive ThydOn, and the
bride elect, without thought Vi tear resum-
ed her occupatlon. She was gazing on q gli-
terinr set OF diamonds, destined 10 be worn
AZ the wedding, when Der bedroom door solt-
il orened. She turned, locked w, and be-
held a man With black mask, holding pis-
tel IN his hand, standing before her.
She did not scream, for her first thought was
for Der father, who slept in the next room,
and 70 whom any sudden alarm might DC
death, for he was cid, feeble, and suffering
from heart complaint. She confronted me
robber boldly, and addressed him 10 wills
per: You are come" she said, ito rob US -
Spare ycur soul rhc awful guilt OF murder
Nv father sleeps next TO my room, aud to be
startled from his sleep would XII him.
Make 40 noise, teg OF you
The fellow was established and cowec -
ave wnn't make no nOise,' be replied sud
Genly,'"If you give US every thing quietly"
Ada!ai.e drew back and ie5 him take her
irwels-,.ot without paDg. for they were
precious love gifts, remarklrg at the same
time. that two more masked luf1ans stood at
the hslf-onened door. As be took the jewel
case and watch FROM the table, and demanded
her purse, she a.ked him il no intended to 90
into her fathers room. She receisfd suriy
att rm ativs: 'IIe wasn't going 70 run t" risk
aud leave bali the tin bebinc.D She pIOp0s'
cd INSTANTLY that she should 90 herself say'Hg:
IL will bring ycu whatever yor WISH, aDG
Won NAV guard me tbither, and xiii uie II
nIay false to YOU" The fellow consulted
bis comrades, and after short parley, they
sgrend to the proposal: and with pistol
pointed at her head, the daun'less girl c!os-
sed the passage, aud entered the rector :
room. Very gently she stole across the chan,
Ter. aud removing his purse. watch. keys, ana
deek, gave them up 10 the robbers who STOOD
st the door. The old man slept reacstu!ly
and calmly, thus guarded ly his child. who
softly shut the door, and demanded II the rob
bers were vet satisfied.
The leader replied that they should be when
they had 81, the show OF plate spread out Ge'
low, bu, that they oould'nt let her cut Of sight
and that she must 60 with them. In corr
plisnce with this mandate, she followed them
down stairs to the dining room, where
splendid weddiog breakfast bad been ia!c to
save trouble and hurry on the morrow. 10
her surprise, the fellcws-eieht in rumher
when assembled seated themselves and pre-
rared 10 make coed meal. They ordered
her 70 get them out vine, AID to cut her OWE
wedding cake for them; and then seated ut
tie head Of the table, shs was compelled to
preside at this extraordinary revei.
They ate. and drank, laughed, and .lck"c;
and Adelaide, quick of ear aud eye, b8d thus
time 10 study. III her quiet way, the figures
and voices 0. the whole set.
VIXEN the rerast was ended, and tho iia;c
Transferred 10 e sack, they prepared I" de-
part, whispering together. and giaDcing az
the young lady. For the first time Ade!olde,7
courage gave way, and she tromoied; but It
was not consultation against her; 'tey toio
her that they did not wish 10 harui her-'hst
she was "a Jolly wench, reg lar game, and
they wouldn't burt her, but that she must
swear not 70 give an alarm till nine or ten text
dav when they should lie III oil safe. 10 TINS
she was. OF course, obliged 20 assent. and
thcn thew al! Insisted on shaking hands With
her. she noticed during THE parting eere-
mouy. that one of the ruffians had only three
fingers on the lef, band.
a lone in the dcspoiled room, Adcia'de.
faint and exhausted, aWaited the hrst CLEAN
of daylight. then. ss the robbers did not re-
turn. she stolc % to her room, ondTessed, AID
fell into a disturbed slumter. The coaster
nation Of the family next morning might be
imnrin ed; and delaide's story was st!l! more
astounding .ban the fac, OF the robbery 'tseii.
Police was sent for from Tendon. and they
Guided by Adelaide's lucid description OF her
midnight guests, actually succeeded IN car
turing every Cne of the gang. whcm the
Young lady bad no difficulty IN identlfy'ng
AND swearing to-the "three fingered Jack
being the guiding clew to the discovery
The stolen property was nearly all recover,
cd. and the old rector always declared--and
With tru,b--.bat he owed his life to the sell
possession ard Judgment CT his eldest daugh'
fer.
The only Ill effect Of the great trial to her
nerves, Vas a disposition, on the part Of the
Young heroine, to listen for midnight sounds
and start uuea sily from troubled dreams; but
tine aud change OF residence soon effected It's
cure.
1 CENTS FOR THE UNION INDIA