The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1859-02-09
THRILLING INCIDENT.
MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE OF BR DR. ELECT
EXTRAORDINARY REyEL,

| EXTRAORDINARY REyEL.
Women often present presence of min,
and the power of self-control, under circum
stances of imminent peril, which seem al
most foreign to their nature, and beyond tn
endurance Of delicate physical organization
| A striking instance of selfconmand. by
lady whose fears must have been powerfuuli,
| excited, and whose life of af1uence had pro
baby never before given her nerves any Sc
verer test than is incident to the vexatiop o
domestic cares, is given in Chambers Jour
nal for October. We copy the adventure
promising BY way Of explanation that tn,
lady was daughter of a rector, residing il
quiet English country village, aud was up
on the eve of marriage:
The wedding day was to be on the NOR.
row of that on which our adventure happen
ed. Grand preparations were made for :he
wedding; and the rector's fine old plate
and the costly gifts Of the bride, were discus
sed with pride and pleasure at the Hare and
Hounds, IN the presence Of some strangers
who had come down to prize fight, which
had taken place in that neigborhood.
That night, Adelaide, who occupied sep
crate room from her sister, sat up late; long
after all the household had retired to rest.
She had long interview with her father, and
had been reading chapter which he had
directed her attention, aud had packed UP
her jewels, &c. She was, consequently, still
dressed when the church clock tolled mid.
night. As it ceased, she fancied she heard
noise like that Of file; she listened, but
could distinguish nothing clearly. 1t might
have been made by some Of the servants still
about, or perhaps it was only the creaking of
the old trees. She heard nothing but the
sighing Of the winter winds for many min
utes afterwards. Housebreakers were mere
myths in primitive Thyndon; and the bride
elect, without a thought of fear, resumed her
She was gazing on glittering
set OF diamonds, destined to be worn at the
when her bedroom door slowly
opened. She turned, looked up, and behed
a man with black mask holding pistol
10 bis 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 DID, feeble, and suffering
from heart complaint. She confronted the
robber boldly, and addressed him in whis-
per: You are come,' said she, TO rob US.
spare your soul the awful guilt of murder
My father sleeps next to my room; and 10 be
startled from his sleep would kill him. Make
no noise. beg Of youi'
The fellow was astonished and cowed.
we won't make any noise" he replied
suddenly, if you give US everything quiet
~
Adelaide drew back and let him take her
ewels-not witout apang, for they were pre-
,!ouS love gifts, remaIk,ng at the same time
hat two more masked ruffians stood at the |
laf-opened door As he took the level case |
md watch from the table, an demanded her |
,urse, she asked him if he intended to go into
Ter fathers room. She received surly at |
"he wasen't agoing to run all risk
md leave half the tin behindl" She propos-
d Instant Y that she should 90 herself, say
ng: Il will bring you whatever YOU wish
md yon may guard me thither and kill me
f play false to YOU The fellow consulted
lis comrades, and after a short parey they
greed to the proposal; and, with a pistol
pointed at her head, the dauntless girl eros,
ed the passage and entered the old rector's
oom. Very gently she stole across the cham
'er, and removing his purse, watch, KEYS
nd desk, she gave them up to the robbers
gho stood a: the door Tie old man slept
peacefully and calmly, thus guarded by his
hid, who softly shut the door, and demand
d if the robbers were yet satisfied.
The leader replied that they should be
'hen they had got the show of plate spread
ut below, and that they couldn't let her out .
{ their sight, and that she must 60 with {
lem. In compliance with the mandate, she
,llowed them down stairs to the dining c
pom, where splended wedding breakfast g
ad been laid, to save hurry and trouble Oh +
lie morrow. To her surprise, the fellows II
ght in number when assemped-scaied Z
lemseves and prepared to make a good d
zeal. They ordered her to get the wine, G
I'D cut up her own wedding cake for them;
I'd tLen, seated at the head of the table,
'e was compelled to preside at this extrsor
nary revel.
They ate, drank, laughed and joked; and
delaide, quick of ear and eye, had thu. -
ne to study, in her quiet way, the figures !,
ID voices OF the whole set.
When the repast was ended, and the plate S
ansserred to a sack, they prepared to depart, fe
hi>pering together, and glancing at the
'uny lady. For the first time, Adeaide's b
urage gave way, and she trembled; but it
as not a consultation against her as il PROV te
. The leader approached her, told her ii
at thew did not wish to harm her-that Of
e was a Jolly wench, reg'lar game and W
d they wouldn't hart her, but she must p
ear not to give the alarm till nine or ten N
lock the next day, when they should be Il
: all safe To this, of coure, she was OBJ v
,ed to assent, and thea they all insisted on W
aking hands with her. She noticed, dur C;