The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-01-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Midnight Adventure.

Females oIten possess presence OF nina
and the power Of self-control under cir
cumstances of imminent peril, which seem
almost foreign to their nature and beyond
the endurance of delicate physical or
ganization 4 striking instance of self
command, by lady whose fears must
have been powerfully excited, and whose
life of afluence had probably never before
given her nerves any severer test than is
incident to the vexations of domestic cares
is given in Chambers's Journal of last
month. We copy the adventure, premis-
ing, by way of explanation. that the lady
was the daughter of rector res siding in a
quiet English country village,and was upon
the eve of marriage;
The wedding day was to be on the NOR.
row of that on which our adventure hap.
pened. Grand preparations were made
for the wedding; and the rectors 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 to prize fight
which had taken place in the neighbor-
hood
That night Adelaide, who occupied
separate 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 chap.
ter to which he had directed her attention,
and since had packed up her jewels, &c.
She was consequently still dressed when
the church clock tolled midnight. As it
ceased, she heard low noise like that of
a 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 tie creaking of the
old trees. She heard nothing but the
signing of the winter winds for many
minutes afterwards. House-breakers were
mere myths in this primitive Thydon, and
the bride elect, without a thought of fear,
resumed her occupation. She was gazing
on glittering set of diamonds, destined
to be worn at the wedding, when her bed.
room door softly opened She turned,
looked up, and beheld man with black
mask, holding pistol in his hand, stand
ing before her.
She did not scream, for her first 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 con-
fronted the robber boldly, and addressed
him in a whisper; "You are come"
she said 4" to rob us. Spare your soul the
awful guilt of murder. My father sleeps
next to my room, and to be startled from
his sleep would kill him. Make no noise,
beg OF you"
The fellow was astonished and cowed
I'VE won't make no noise" he replied
suddenly, if you give us everything
quietly"
Adelaide drew back and let him take
her jewels not without 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 and watch from the table,
and demanded her purse, she asked him
if he intended TO go into her fathers room.
She received surely affirmative. "He
wasn't going to run risk and leave hall
the tin behind I" She proposed instantly
thai she would go herself saying II
Will bring you whatever you wish, and you
may guard me thither, and kill me if
play false to you" The fellow consulted
his comrades, and after short parley,
they agreed to the proposal and with n