The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-06-25
Diseeiiapeops.
A Midnight Adnaninra

Females often possess presence of mind,
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 phys
ical organization. A striking instance of
self-command, by lady whose fears must
have been powerfully excited, and whose
life of affluence had probably never be-
fore given her nerves any severer trial
than is incident to the vexations of do.
nestle cares, is given in ChdnaJers's Jour
nal of last month. We copy the adven-
ture, promising, by way Of explanation,
that the lady was the daughter of rector
residing in quiet, English country viii
lage, and was upon the eve of marriage.
The wedding day was to be on the
morrow of that day on which our adven-
ture happened. Grand preparations were
made for the wedding; and the rector's
hne old plate, and the costly gifts of the
bride, were discussed with pride and
pleasure at the Hare and Hounds, in the
presence of strangers who had come down
to aprize fight which had taken place in
the neighborhood.
That night, Adelaide, who occupied a
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 attention.
aud since had packed up her Jewels, &c.
She was consequently dressed when the
church clock tolled midnight. As it
ceased, she heard low noise like that of
lille; 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
signing of the winter winds for moments
atterward. Housebreakers were mere
myths in primitive Thydon, and the bride
elect, without Thought of fear, resumed
her occupation. She was gazing on a
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, standing be
fore her.
She did not scream, for the first thought
was 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 ad
dressed him in whisper "Spare your
soul the awful guilt of murder. Ny IA
ther sleeps next to my room, and to be
startled from his sleep would kill him.
Make no noise l beg of YOU"
The fellow was astonished and cowed.
I'VE won't make any noise" he replied
sullenly, 'if you give US every thing
quietly" fA
Adelaide drew back and let him take
her jewels-not without pang, for they
were precious love gifts, observing at the
same time, that two moro masked ruff.
mans stood at the half open door. As he
took the jewel case and watch from the
fable, and demanded her purse, she asked
MN II ne intended to go to her fathers
room She received surly Affirmative
ne wasn't going to run risk and leave
naif the tin behind ~ She proposed in.
SANITY that she should 90 herself, saying
Will bring you whatever you wish, and
you may guard me thither, and kill me il
play false to you" The fellow con.
Sui'ed his comrades, and after short par.
icy, agreed to the proposal and with g
P's9oi pointed at her head, the dauntless
slli crossed the passage and entered the
.eo'Ors room. Very gently she stole
NcroSs the chamber, and removing hi:
purse watch and key, and desk, gave
Suem up to the robbers who stood at the
uUor, The old man slept peacefully and
.s Tly thus guarded BY his child, who
sOt'y smut the door and demanded if the
''1 %. were yet satisfied.
Inc leader replied that they should b
"nen they had got that show of plat,
ip'Sau out below, but that they couldn'
&c: ner oct of sight, and that she must g
an them. In compliance with thi
mandate, she followed them down stair
Ge dining room, where splendid
Sau'ng breakfast had been laid, to saw,
on the morrow. To her surprise
Is fellows, eight in number when assem-
o'ou' seated themselves, and prepared :,
maze good meal. They ordered her :,
~ .nem out wine, and to cut her owl
=. uSufng cake for them; and then, seatet
n.I me head of the table, she was com
, rsned TO preside at this extraordinar,
level. 1I6a'
al iney ate, drank, laughed and joked
.t uu Adelaide, quick of ear and eye, ha,
.us Time to study, in her quiet way, tn
cures and voices Of the whole set.
i = ~
p.A'e was transferred to a sack, they pre-
PddeQ to 0aporf