Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-02-11
Se1eeted Story.
The Baroness and Robbers.


In pretty village near Paris, but a
considerable distance from the high road,
was Baron R. accustomed to spend the
summer. His mansion. built on an emil
nence, was spacious building. both with
in and without, and exhibited a good
style of architecture and it was about
two hundred PAGES from the village.
Business obliged the baron to take a
journey Of a few days. His wife, but
twenty years of age, and very beautiful,
remained at home. lie took with him
two Of his servants, and two others remain
ed with the baroness No violation ofthe
public security had ever been heard of in
that part of the country, and as the bor-
oness did not belong to the timid porti m
of her sex. the idea of danger was far
from entering her mind. The evening
after the baron's departure, as she was
stepping into bed, she heard an alarming
noise in an apartment near her chamber
She called ont, hut received no answer -
The confusion increased every moment
She was at loss to conceive what was
the matter, and hastily putting on her
garments, went to the door to discover the
cause. A horrible spectacle presented it.
self. H.r two servants, half naked were
extended lifeless on the floor. The room
was full of strange looking men the bar
oness' chambermaid who kneeling before
one of them, and. instead of the mercy
she implored, she received the fatal stroke.
Nc sooner did the door open than two bar
barians, with drawn swords, rushed to
wards it. What woman. or even an,
would not have been struck with the ut
most terror, and given up everything as
lost Z? A loud shrek of despair. a flight
of few PAGES. would probably have been
the resort of many The baroness. how
ever, conducted herself in different man
ner.
land you have come at last p ex-
claimed she, in tone of apparently heart
felt joy and advancing towards her as
sailapts with haste that highly astonish-
ed them, they lowered their untitled wea-
pons.
And you have come at last" repeat
ed she; ''such visitors as you have Of
ten wished to see" Wished :" mutter-
ed one of the assassins, what do you
mean by that ? But stay III
He had already raised his cutlass, but a
comrade averted the stroke. Stay mo-
ment, brother" said he. land let US hear
what she would have"
Nothing but what is your pleasure,
brave comrades. You are men after my
own heart. and neither you nor shall
ever have reason to repent it. if you will
listen for two minutes to what l have to
say
Speak speak !'' cried the whole com
pany.
"But be quick" added one of the fer
cest, '.for We shall nos make much cere-
mony."
Nevertheless. hope you will grant
me a hearing for although am tie wife
of the richest gentlemen in the country.
the wife Of the meapest beggar cannot be
more unhappy than am My husband
is one Of the most jealous and niggardly
fellows on earth. | hate him, and it has
long been the fervent wish of my heart to
get clear of his clutches and at the same
time pay off old scores. All my servants
were spies and tina; fellow whose business
you have done SO completely was the worst
of all. am scarce twenty-one, and
fatter myself far from being ugly lfany
of you choose to take me along with you
Iii accompany you to the woods or to the
village alehouse. Nor shall any of you
repent having spared my life. You are
in a well-stored mansion but it is impos-
sible that you be acquainted with all its
secret corners These Twill now show
you, aud if don't lake you richer by six
thousand dollars, then serve me as you did
my chambermaid."
Robbers of this kind are certainly vii
lains, but nevertheless they are still men.
The wholly unexpected tenderness of the
baroness, added to the more than ordina-
ry beauty of the female, altogether produc-
ed powerful effect on these men, whose
hands were yet rocking with blood. They
then all stepped aside. and consulted to-
gether 10 low tones for some minutes. -
The baroness was left quite alone. but
she betrayed not the least wish to escape.
'.Lets dispatch her and the game will
be all up" She however, scarcely chan.
ged color. for the opposition Of the others
! did not escaps het acute ear.