Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-02-11
One, who was probably captain of the

Wnat Sne sald-Wnetner Sne actually wish
ed to be released from the tyranny Of her
husband, and to 60 with them-and wheth-
er she was willing to resign herself to one
Of them, to myself for instance, during the
peaceful days they could obtain Having
replied in the affirmative to all these ques
tions-having not only suffered the warm
embrace of the robber. but returned it
for what will not necessity excuse ?-he
at length said:
"Come along, then. and lead us around.
The ID trust you ladies of rank. but we
will venture for once. But let me tell you.
if you were twice as handsome as you are
this weapon should cleave your skull the
moment I saw the least disposition to be-
tray us p
Then it will be safe enough; and if
this were the only condition Of my being
put to death, should outlive you all, and
even the wandering Jew himself"
The baroness smiled when she pronoun-
ced these words, and hastily caught the
nearest lamp as if she were as eager as any
of them to collect the plumber and be gone.
She conducted the company through every
Apartment, opened every door, every
drawer. and every chest, assisted in pack
ing up the valuables, looking with the
utmost Indifference at the mangled bodies;
speaking with the familiarity of an old ac-
quaintance to each one Of the horrid troop.
md assisting with her delicate hands iu
the most laborious occupation.
Plate, money, jewels, were now collect
ed together. and the captain of the bandit
ii was about giving the order for march
ing. when his destined bride caught him
by the arm, did | not tell you" said
she. 'that you should not repent making
friend of NE, and sparing my life You
may. indeed. have everything in places
that you find open; but it is pity you
cannot come at places that are concealed
What do you suppose that among Golfers
so full there are not secret places? Look
here, and then you will be convinced to
the contrary"
She pointed to secret spring in the ba-
ron's desk. They pressed upon it and out
fell five bags of gold coin
hounds !" cried the leaders of the rob-
bers; now see you are an inco parable
woman. and l will keep you for this as a
duchess %
'And perhaps better STILL" said she.
laughing, when show you one thing
more. 1 am well aware that you must
have spies who informed you of the abb
sence of ms tyrant but they did not tell
you of the Fifty thousand francs he receiv-
ed yesterday"
where are they"
20, safe enough! under half dozen
locks and bolts. You would certainly not
have found them and the iron chest had it
not been for me. Come along, comrades !;
we have finished above stairs, now We will
see what can be done underneath. Come
along with me, say into the cellar"
The robbers followed out not without
precaution At the entrance Of the eel
lar, secured by strong trap door, man
was posted as sentinel She conducted
the whole troop to vault at the farther
end of the cellar. She unlocked it. aud
In the corner of this recess stood the chest
she had described. Here" said she,
giving the captain bunch of keys, Gun
lock 1t and take out what you find as a
wcdd ing gift, if you can obtain the con-
sent of your comrades as speedily as you
gained mine"
The robber tried one key after another.
but none would fit. He grew impatient.
and the baroness seemed still more so.
Lend me them" said she, Il shall
find the way sooner. Indeed, if you do
not make haste. the morning may over
take us. Ha! the reason why neither Of
us could unlock it is because have the
wrong bucb of keys. will obtain another.
She went up stairs. and presently they
heard her coming down but she came
slowly as if out of breath with the haste
she had made.
ave found them" cried she, at dis
lance Then coming up to within about
three PAGES of the man who stood at the
entrance of the cellar, she sprang suddenly
at the wretch, who was totally nnprepared
for such move from such a quarter, and
pushing him with all her might, sent him
tumbling to the bottom Of the stairs. This
accomplished. she closed the trap.,loor,
bolted it, and thus had the whole COM
pany secured in the cellar This was the
work of single moment. In the next
she few across the court yard. and with
candle in her hand set fire to a detached
pig sty. TIE wa.chmen in the neighbor-
ing village. perceiving the flames, instant
ly gave the alarm In few minutes the
inhabitants were out Of their beds, aud a
crowd of farmers, with their servants, has
tenod IN the mansion The baroness wait-