Litchfield enquirer., 1864-06-02
A Midnight Adventure.

Iho power Of Eelr-cOntrol under c1rcumStanCes of imminent peril, which seem almost foreign to their nature, and beyond the endurance of Q delicate organization. A striking instance oI self command, by lady whose fears must have been powerfully excited, and whose life of af- huence had probably never before given hel nerves any severer test than is incident to do- nestle cares, is given in late number oi Chambers Journal. We copy the adventure was the daughter of Rector residing in 6 quiet English village, and was upon the eve oi marriage.
 ] The wedding day was to be on the morrow of that on which our adventure happened Grand preparations were made for the wedding and the Rectoris fine old plate and the costly gifts of the bride were discussed with pleasure atAhssI fss Fl fouids, in the presence oi some strangers who had come down to prize fight which had taken place in the neighbor- ] hood. -r.
 1 The night Adelaide, who occupied separase 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 chapter to which he had directed her attention, and since had packed mp her jewels, &c. She was consequently still dressed when the church clock tolled midnight. As it ceas- ed, she fancied she heard low noise like that produced by filing. She listened. but could distinguish nothing clearly. It 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 many minutes afterwards. House-breakers were myths in primitive Thyn- don, and the bride elect, without a thought of fear, resumed her occupation. She was gazing on a glittering set of diamonds destined for the wedding, when the bedroom door softly open ed. She turned, looked up, and beheld a man with 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 for he was old, feeble, and suffering from heart complaint. She confronted the robber boldly, and addressed him in whisper :-" You are come," she said, ito 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 astouished and co wed. "We won't make no noise," he replied suddenly, If you give us everything quietly"
 Adelaide drew back and let him take her
  cious love gifts, remarking at the same time that two more armed rufians 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 father room. She received surly afirma- tive he wasn't agoing to run all the risk md leave half the tin behind! She proposed in stantly that she should go herself. saying Il will bring you whatever you wish, and you may guard me thither, and kill me if play false to you" The fellow consulted bis comrades, aud after short barley they agreed to the propo sal: and with pistol pointed at her head, tho dauntless girl crossed the passage and entered the old rector's room. Very gently she stole across the chamber, and removing his purso, watch, keys and desk, she gave them up to the robbers who stood at the door, The old man slept peacefully, thus guarded by his child, who shut the door, and demanded if the robbers were yet satisfied.
 The leader replied that they should be when they had got the show of plate spread out below and that they couldn't let her out of sight. and that she must go with them. In compliance with this mandate she followed them down stairs to the dining room, where splendid I wedding breakfast had been laid to save trouble and hurry on the morrow. To her suprise, the fellows, eight in number when assembled seat. ed themselves and prepared to make 6 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 Qf the table. she was compelled :o preside at this extraordinary revel.
 They ate, drank, laughed and jeked 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 transferred to sack, they prepared to depart. whispering together and glancing at the young lady. For the first time Adelaide's courage gave way, and she trembled but it was not a consultation against her, as it proved. The leader, approaching her told her that they did not wish to harm her-that she was jolly wsnch, regular game, and that they wouldn t hurt her but that she must swear not to give the alarm till nine or ten the next day, when they should be of all safe. To this, of course, she was obliged to assent, and then they all insisted on skaking hands with. She noticed during this parting ceremony, that one of the rufians had only three fingers on the left hand.
 Alone, and in the despoiled room, Adelaide, faint and exhausted, awaited the first gleam of daylight; then, as the robbers did not return, she stole up to her room, undressed, and fell into disturbed slumber. The consternation of the family ths next morning may be imagin- ed and Adelaides story was still astonishing than the robbery itself. Police were sent for from London, and they, guided by Adelaide's lucid description of her midnight guests, actu- ally succeeded in capturing every one of the gang, whom Adelaide had no difficulty in iden- tifying 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 declared-and with truth-that he owed his life to the self posses sion and judgment of his only daughter. The only 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 trdGbled dreams, but time and change of residence soon effected it's cure. | A tavern-keeper in Newark. when giving 6 New Years present to his "help," told one oi his porters Ia smart Irishman) that he was about the best man in the house, and, therefore | he should give him the most costly present. Sure said Patrick, rubbing his hands witt delight, T always mane to do my duty T believe you. replied his employer. .and there fore shall make you present of all you have n