The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-01-07
VOL. ., NO. %.

that Of file she listened bat could distinguish
nothing clearly 1t might have been made by
some OF the servants still about, or perhaps IL
was only the creaking ofthe old trees. She heard
nothing but the signing OF the winter winds
for many minutes afterwards Housebreakers
were mere myths in primitive Shyndon, and thu.
bride elect, without thought ofiear, resumed
| her occupation. She was gazing ON a o litter
ing set of diamonds, destined to be worn at the
wedding, when her bedroom door softly open-
ed. She turned, looked up, and behpld man
with black mask holding pistol in bis hand
standing before her.
| She did not scream, for her next thought was
Tor 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 ro5ber boldly.
and addressed him in whisper sYou are come
she SAID, ''to rob us. Spare your soul the aw-
ful guilt OF murder. My father sleeps next to
| my room, and to be startled from his seep
would kill him. Make no noise / beg Of
you"
The fellow was asonshet and cowed. ave
| won't make no noiSp," he replied sullenIy, af
you give us everything quietIy.'
Adelaide drew back and let him taxi her levy.
eS-not without pang, for they were precious
love gifts, remarking at the same time that two
more masked rutfans stood al the half open door.
As hp took the Jewel case and watch from the
table, aud demanded her purse, she asked him
If he intended TO go to her fathers room. She
received surly affirmative she wasn't going
to run risk and leave half the lin behind ,"-
She proposed instantly that she should 90 her
self. saying 81 will bring you whatever you
wish, and you NAV guard me thither, and kill
me if play false 10 you." The fellow consul
ted hIs comrades5 anu after short parley, they
agreed to the proposal and with pistol pon-
ted at her head, the dauntleSs girl crossed the
passage. and entered the old rec,or's ROOM
Very gently she stole across the chamber and
removed his purse, watch, keys and desk, gave
them up to the robUers who stood at the door.
The old man slept peacefully and calmly, thus
guarded by his child, who softly shut the door
and demande,! if the robbers were yet satisti-
ed.
The leader replied that they should be when
they had cot the show of plate spread out below.
but that they couldn't let her out of sight, and
that she must go with them. In compliapcs
with this mandate, she followed them down
stairs to the dining room, where spirndfd
wedding breakfast had been lain to save trouble
and hurry on the morrow. To her surprise,
the fellowship ght in number when assembled
seated themselves and prepared TO make a
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 extraordi-
nary revel.
They ate, drank, laughed and ioked and
Adelaide, quick of ear and eye, had thus time
to study, in her quiet way, the figures and vol
ces OF the whole set.
When the repaSt was ended, aud the plate
transferred 10 sack, they pre- pared TO depart,
whispering together, and gancing at the young
lady. For the first time Adelaide's courage
gave way, aud she tremble1; but it was not a
consultation against her, as It proved. The
leader, approaching her, told that they did not
wish to harm her-tbat she was 'sa jolly wench,
reg lar game, and they wouldn't hurt her, but
that she must swear not 10 give an alarm till
nine or ten the next day, when they should bs
off all safe. To this she was of course obliged
to assent, and then they all insisted on shaking
hands with her. She noticed in this parting
ceremony, that one of the rutfians had only
three fingers on the left hand.
Alone, in the despoiled-room, Adelaide, faint
and exhausted, awaited the first gleam of day.
light: then as the robbers did not return, she
stole up TO her room, undressed, and fell into an
undsturbed slumber. Th- CONSERVATION ofthe
family next morning may be imagined; and
Adelalde's story was stIll more astounding than
the facts of the robbery itself. Police were
sent for from London, and they, guided by Ade-
ladies lucid description Of her midnight guests,
actually succeeded in capturing every one of
the gang, whom the young lady had no diff
Guilty in identifying and swearing to-ths
'.three fingered Jack' being the guiding clue
TO the discovery. The stolen property was
nearly all recovered, and the old rector always
with truth--that he owed his
life to the sef-possession and judgment of his
eldest daughter.
The only i'll effect of the great trial 10 her
nerves, was disposition, on the part of the
young heroine TO listen for midnight sounds, and
start uneaily from troubled dreams; but time and
change Of residence soon effected ITS cure.
90 How do my customers like the milk
sell them
'Oh, they all think it is OF the first water