The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-02-05
A midnight Adventure.


stances Of imminent peril, which seem almost
foreign 10 their nature and beyond The err
duranee Of a delicate physical organization,
a striking instance Of selfeommsnd by a La
dy whose fears must have been powerfully
excited, and whose life Of aliluence had prob
ably never before given her nerves any se-
vbrsF toat than Ia incident 10 the yesations
Of domestic cares, 10 given In Chambers
Journal Of last month We copy the advenr
turep epremising,by way Of explanalionthat the
lady was a daughter Of rector residing In
quiet English country village, aud vas upon
the eve Of marriage
The wedding day was 20 be on the morrow
Of that on which our adventure happened
Grand preparations we're made Tor the we'd.
ding and the rcctor's fine Cd plate, and the
costly gins Of the bride, we're discussed
with pride aud pleasure al the Hare and
Hounds, in the presencs Of somo sirang,
ers who had come down 10 a prize Gght which
bad taken place IN the neighborhood.
That night, Adelaide, who occupied a sep
arate room from her sister, sat up late-lang
afcr al. the household ha3 retired 10 rest
She had had looR Interview hhcr father,
and had been reading chapter % which hc
had directed attention, and since had packed
up her jewels &c. She was consequently still
dressed when thg church r!urk ;ulrd mid
night As It ceased she heard low noise
like ,hat Of Gle she listened, but could
distinguish nothing clearly. II might have
been made b., some Of the servants still about,
or perhaps il vas only the cracking Of the
old trees. She heard nothing but the sighing
Of the winter winds for many minutes after
wards. House breakers we're mere myths TO-
primitive Thydon, and the bride elect, with.
out thought Of fear, resumed her oceupa.
ton. She was gazing on gliuering set Of
Diamonds, destined TO be worn ut the we'd
ding when her bedroom door sofly opened
She turned, looked up, and beheld man with
a black mask, holding a pistol in his hand,
standing before her.
She did not scream, for her first thought
was ror her father, who slept in the next
room, and TO whom any sudden alarm might
be death, for he VAS old, feeble, and suffering
from heart complaint She confronted the rob
Der boldly, and addressed him IN whisper
d" You are come" she said, "io rob us. Spare
your soull he awful guilt Of murder. My faith
cr sleeps next TO my room, and TO be startled
from his sleep would Nil him. Make no noise,
beg Of YOU"
The fellow was nstoni,hcd and cowcd--
We won't make no noisc," he replied sud
denly, 'lr you give US everything quietly"
Adelaide drew back and let him take her
jcwcls--uot without poug,for.thcy prec-
ious love gins remayking At the samc time,
that t~o mare msaked ruillana stond at the
halropcncd door. As hc took the jewel case
and watch from the table, aud demanded her
purse, she usked him ir he intended to go in
to her fathers room. She received surly
aifirmdt5vU :" Tic wdfT't FUiTJg 10 run Tf5E
aud leave half the tin behind" She propos.
ed instantly that she should go herself say.
ing: 81 will bring YOU whatever YOU wish,
and YOU may guard me thithcr, and kill me
il play false to you" Tho fellow consult
cd his comrades, and after a short parlcy
agreed TO the proposal and with pistol
pointed al her head, the dauntless girl cross
cd the passage, and entered the rector's room.
Very gently she stole across the chamber,
and removing his purse, watch and keys, and
dcsk, gave them up to the robbers who stood
at the door. The old man slept peacefully
and calmly, thus guarded 10y his child, who
softly shut the door, and demanded il the
robbers were yet satisfied.
The leader replied that they should be
when they had got the show Of plate spread
out below, but that they couldn't let her out
/. of sight, and that She must 90 With them
In compliance with this mandate, she follow
cd them down stairs TO the dining room,
where a splendid wedding breakfast had been
laid. TO save trouble and hurry on the morrow.
To her surprise, the fellows-eight in number
when ossembled-soatod themselves and pre-
pared to make good meal. They ordered
her to get them out wine, and to cut her own
wedding cake for them and then, seated at
the head OF the table, she was compelled to
/ preside at this extraordinary revel.
They nte and drank, laughed and jokcd ;
and 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 repast was ended, and the plate
was transferred to a sack, 'they prepared to
depart, whispering together, and glancing at
the young lady. For the FIRST time Adelaidos
courage gave way, and she trembed; but it
was not n consultation against her they told
her they didnot wish to harm herv-that she was
"jolly wonch, reg1nr game" and they
wouldn't hurt her,but that she must swear not
to give an alarm till or 10 next day, when
they should he Off all safe. To this she was,
Of course, obliged to assent, and. then they
all insisted on shaking hands with her. She
noticed, during tits parting ceremony, that
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