Des Arc citizen., 1859-04-01
A MIDNTGHT ADVENTURE.

Women often possess presence of mind and the power of self-control, under cir cumstances of imminent peril, which seem almost foreign 10 theIr nature, and beyond the endurance of delieate physical or g inization. A striking instance of self command by lady whose fears must have been powerfully excited, and whose life of affluenoe had probably never before given her nerves any severer test than is lnci- dent 10 the vexations of domestic cares, is given in Chambers Journal for October. We copy the advent. promising, by way of explanation, that the lady was the daughter of a rector, residing in a quiet English country village, and was upon the eve of marriage.
 The wedding day was to be on the morrow of that on which our adventure happened. Grand organizations were made for the wedding, and the rector's fine old plate, and the costly gifts of the bride were discussed with pride and pleasure at the Hare and Hounds. in the presence of some strangers. who had come down 10 prize fight which had taken place in the neighborhood.
 That night, Adelaide, who occupied 6 separate room from her sister, sat up late long after all the househod had re- tired to rest, She had had long inter- view with her father, aud had been read ing a chapter to which he had dhected her attention, and had packed up her jewels, &5c. She was, consequently. still dressed :, when the church clock iolIed midnight. As il ceased, she fancied she heard a noise like that of a file; she listened, but could distinguish nothing clearly It might have been made by some of the servants still about, or perhaps, 1t was on Iy the creakIng of the old trees. She heard nothing but the signing of the wln- ter winds for many minutes afterwards. House breakers were me c myths in primitive Thyndon; and tue bride elect, without a thought of fear, resumed her occupation, She was gazing ,on a glitter ing set of diamonds. destined to be worn at the wedding, when her room door solt- y opened. She turned, looked up, and beheld 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 address ed him in a whisper: :" You are come" said she, !. to rob us ! Spare yodr soul the awful guilt of murder My father sleeps next to my5room, and 10 be star tied from his sleep would kill him.. Make no noise, beg of you
 The fellow was aslonished and cowed. We won't make any noise,'' he re- | piled, suddenly, if you give us every thing quietly"
 Adelaide drew back and let him take her jewels-not without a pang, for they were precious love gifts, remarking at the same time that two more masked ruffians stood at the half opened door. As he took the jewel case anu watch from the table, and demanded her purse, she asked him if he intended to go into her fathers room. She received sorly affirmative. He " wasn't agoing to run all the risk and leave half the tin behind !" She pro- posed instantly that she should go herself, saying: F will bring you whatever you wish, and you may guard me tliither, ant kill me if play false toyou." The fel low consulted hls comrades, and after . short barley they agreed to the proposal ; and with a pistol pointed at her lead, tIt dauntless girl crossed the passage and en tered the old rector's room. Very gently she stole across the chamber, and remov
 ing his purse watch, keys and desk, sht gave them up to the robbers, who stoo' at the door. The old man slept peace fully and calmly, thus guarded by hi
 child, who softly shut the door, and de
 manded if the robbers were yet satisfied
 The leader replied that they would bt when they had got the show of plat suread out below, and that they couldn'