The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-18
A Midnight Adventure.

&enatco oAtCu pocccSs pIt5tDCe Oi lQlliu dilQ
the power OF seli-controi under circumstan-
ces Vt imminent peril which seems almost for
eisn TO their nature, aud beyond the endur-
ance OF delicate organization. Here Is
striking instance of self-commaud by lady
whose fears must have been powerfully ex-
cited, aud whose life of afiiuence had probably
never before given her nerves any severer
test than Is incident to the vexations OF do
nestle cares. We copy the adventure, pre-
missing by way OF expla latioD, that the lady
was The daughter OF u rector, residing in
quiet English country village, and was upon
the eve OF marriage.
The wedding day was to be on the morrow
OF that day on which our adventure happen.
ed Grand preparations were made for the
wedding; aud the rector,s fine old plate,
aud the costly gifts OF the bride, were dis
cussed with pride and pleasure at the Hare
and Hounds ia the presence OF some strang-
ers who had come down to a prize aglt
which had taken place in the neighbour
hood.
That night, Adelaide, who had 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 0chap;er 10
which he had directed her attention, and since
had packed up her jewels, etc. She was con-
sequently still dressed when the church clock
tolied midnight. AS il ceased, she fancied
she heard a low noise like that of a file; she
listened, but could distinguish nothing clear
~. Ii might have been made by some OF the
servants still about, or p rhaps 1t was only
the creaking OF the old trees. She heard
nothing but the signing of the winter winds
for many minutes afterwards. House break
ers were mere my tbs Ia primitive lyndon, and
the bride elect without single thought OF
fear, resumed her occupation. She was gaz-
a eaf afd t.pnr IL l....t
to be worn at the wedding. when her bed
room door softly opened. She turned, looked
up, aud beheld a man with a black mask
holding pistol In his hand, standing 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. Tor he was old, feeble, aud suffering
from heart complaint. She confronted the
robber boldly, and addressed him In a whis-
per.
You are come she said, to rob us.
Spare yonr soul the awful guilt of murder.
My father sleeps next to my room, aud TO be
startled from his sleep would kill him. Make
no noise l beg Of you
The fellow was astonished and cowed. we
won't make noise,' he re Piled suddenly, If you
give us everything quietly
Adelaide drew back and let him take her
precious love-giits, remarkiug at the time
that two other masked ruhians stood at the
haifopened door, As he took the Jewel case
aud watch from the table, and demanded her
purss, she asked him II Ii intended to go into
her fathers room. She received = curly snirm:
alive: he wAaa'. sviug TO run all risk and
leave the tin behind. She proposed Instant
ly thai she would 90 herself, sayins,
WIN Dring you whatever you wish, and
you may guard me thither and kill me il /
play false to you"
The fellow consulted his comrades, and af.
Yer short parley they agreed to the propo-
sal, and with pistol pointed at her head, :.
tered the old rector's room. Very gently she
stole across the chamber, and removing his
purse, watch, keys and desk she gave them
up 10 the robbers who stood at the door
The old man slept peacefully and calmly. thin.
guarded by his child, who softly shut the door.
and demanded If the robbers were yet salts
fed.
The leader replied that they should be
when they got the show of plate spread OUT
below, and that they couldn't let her out OF
sight, aud that she must go with them. In
Com piiance with this mandate, she followed
them down stairs to the dining ROOM where
splendid wedding breakfast had been laid
10 save trouble aud hurry on the morrow.
10 her surprise, the feIlows-eight in number
when assembled-seated themselves and pre-
pared 10 make good meal. They ordered
her 10 get them out wine, and to cut her own
Ling cake Tor them; aud then seated al
the head Of the table, she was compelled to
preside at this extraordinary revel.
Iney ate, drank, laughed and joked; and
Ade laide, quick OF ear and eye, had time 10
study, In her quiet way, the figures and voices
OF the whole set.
When the repast was ended, aud the plate
transferred TO sack, they prepared to de-
part, whispering together and glancing at the
young lady. For the first time Adelaide's
courage gave way, and she tremb,ed; but il
was not consultation against her, as it prov
ed. The leader, approaching her, told her
that they did not wish to harm her-that she
was Jolly wench-regular game-and they
DID not wish 10 harm her, but that she must
swear not 10 give the alarm until nine or ten
the next day, when they shonld be off all
safe. To this, OF course, she was obliged TO
assent, and they all insisted on shaking hands
win her. She noticed, during this parting
ceremony, that one OF the ruffians had only
three hngers on the left hand
Alone, In the despotied room, Adelaide. |
faint and exhausted, awaited the first CLEAN /
oil daylight; and then, as the robbers did not |
return, sne stole up to her room, undressed. /
and iell into disturbed slumber. The con.
sterDation OF the family next morning NAV
be imagined; and Adelaide's story was still /
more astounding than the fact of the robbery
Itself Police were sent for from London.
and they, guided by Adeaide's lucid descrip. |
ton Of her midnight guests. actually succeed |
ed In capturing every one OF the gang, whom |
the young lady had no difficulty in identify |
Ing and swearing to-the three fingered /
Jack" being the guiding clue to the discovery. |
The stolen property was nearly all recovered |
and the old rector always decared-and with |
truth-that he owed his life to the self-nos-
session and judgment OF his daughter.
The only i'll effect of the great trial to her |
nerves was disposition on the part of the |
young heroine to listen for midnight sounds. |
and start uneasily from troubled dreams; but |
time and change of residence soon effected |