The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-09-23
R0BBIEG HIMSELF.
A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.

In the autumn of 1847 had occasion to
visit the Land Office at jackson, Mo- My
route lay through the county Of c.; Two
years before the date Of my adventure, my
niece, Miss B., was married to Mr.. NJ, who
had moved to c. county, of which he
was now sheriff. As had not seen my
niece since her marriage, concluded to
make it convenient to stay with her one
night while on my way to jackson.
On the morning of the second day after
leaving home, I reached the home Of my
friends in the town of S.. My niece,
Mrs. NJ, was delighted to see me and, after
the ordinary salutatiops were over, she re-
quested me to stable and feed my horse, as
Mr. NJ, was absent home. | Immediately
complied, for the comfort Of my horse is al
ways my first care. Having made "Bob'
as comfortable as horse flesh could reasonably
wish to be, I returned to the house, where a
hastily prepared supper was already awaiting
me. Those who have ridden all day over a
rough country, without stopping for "the in
ner comforts" can understand how readily l
despatched the delicious light bread, cold
sweet milk and rich yellow butter, together
With good things 'stoo tedious to mention"
that my tidy little niece had set before me.
In the course of the evening, which passed
pleasantly and rapidly, learned that Mr.. NJ.
had left home on the same morning that l
had left mine, and that he would be gone
two days longer This / regretted, as / very
much wished to see him. promised myself,
however, that would stop again on my re-
turn, when the sheriff would be at home
Before retiring for the night, Mrs. NJ. confd'
ed to me that there was large sum of money
in my bcd-chamber, mostly in gold, Of which
her husband, as collector of the country, had
charge, and with which he was to start for
Jefferson city in few days; and, also, that
he had charged her not let any one stay in
the house during his absence. I laughingly re-
piled that the notice came too late, as | had
already taken up my quarters, but that would
stand guard over the money-bags till morning
With that I took a candle and retired to my
room.
took out my two pistols, laid them or
the table by my bedside, and undressed fol
bed. The possibility Of danger, however
strongly impressed my mind. The grea
risk Of so large sum Of money being guard
Cd by only a helpless woman impressed m.
mind more and more the longer l though
about it. I became SO restless that aros'
from my bed; relighted my candle, examined
my pistols to see that they were dry, Ieprim
Ell and rccapped the tubes, and, having
placed them under my pillow in such a posi-
ton that l could grasp them at a moment
warning.I again retired to my bed, almos
disposed to laugh at my folly Soon I fee
asleep. How long l slept don't know
slept long enough for my mind to indulge il
one of those strange mysterious freaks tina
we call dreaming. Three men seemed to CT
ter by force. / heard the screams Of m
niece, heard the robbers demand the money
heard them advancing up the stairway, an
saw the bright flash Of lights as, with candl
| in hand, they entered my chamber. Durin
all this time / lay utterly helpless ] knc'