South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-07-22
Presence of Mind

Presence of Mind.
G0od HUM gives the following story,
exemplifying remarkable presence Of mind
in an old lady which is related in her own
words and addressed TO her little nephew:
"You know, my dear nephew, 1 was
living in the country n. the time, my lit
tie granddaughter being my only compan-
ion. We bad two female servants aud
man servant, but he did not sleep in the
house, but in loft over the stable One
night, late in the autumn, went to bed
at my usual hour-nine O'Clock I was
carly, you sec, for Fanny was only seven
years old, and L did not care to sit up a
lone after she was in bed besides, by the
time l had read my chapter, aud said my
prayers, and undressed myself, it was full
ly ten o'clock. Well, on this particular
night, went up as usual. / first undressed
the child aud put her into bed !; then
made myself comfortable and got my BIZ
BILE, and sat by the fret was very cold
tor the season, and kept FIRE in my room
and after [ had finished my chapter, |
knclt down to my prayers my position as
L kneit, with my back to the fire and my
face toward the bed. | had scarcely got
on my knees, when caught sight of some
thing unusual under the bed on looking
moro attentively, | could sec that il was a
mans foot. My first impression was TO
scream, but fortunately | restrained myself /:
and the first shock over, was able to
think. / had no doubt that it was q rob-
Der, and that if be found that he was dis
covered, he might not stop short of mur.
der. | dared not to 60 to bed, and pre-
tend did not know he was there and vet.
how to get tho child and myself out ofthe
room without exciting suspicion, / could
not imagine. These thoughts passed
through my mind in half the time have
taken to tell you and | was about TO rise
from my knees, when ! suddenly recollec-
ted that my doing so at once might in it.
self excite suspicion for aught / knew, it
might be some one who knew my habits
perhaps my own man servant, though had
no reason, to suspect him. At all events
l determined to remain some time longer
as if engaged in my devotions l need
not tell you that could not give much
heed to my prayers, but did ask for pro.
lection and guidance. You know, dear,
III,
and that [ seldom get through my prayers
in less than n quarter of an hour, 80 | now
determined not to stir for at least ten mi
nutes. What an ago these ten minutes
seemed! l never took my eyes off the
foot until just before arose, when it was
slowly withdrawn out of my sight. When
| saw it move felt faint with fright, for
[ feared lest the man had suspected, and
was going TO come out; however, be re-
NAMED quiet, and then | got up from my
knees. The next thing to be dono was to
get the child out of bed without causing
any alarm. Speaking calmly as | was a
BILE, | asked her if she were awake she
answered in rather . sleepy tone, but a
reused herself as | continued speaking
''Fanny, dear" | said, 81 have left my
keys below stairs"-I felt little uneasy
at the falSchood, but | hope, it was not
wrong-"I cannot undress without them !;
would you mind getting up, my love and
coming with me? She jumped out of
bed in moment, and, having wrapped a
shawl round her, | pushed her before me Z;
then, when opening the door, managed to
take out the key and put it on the other
side. | then shut the door and locked it,
and then, my dear, I could no longer con-
troll myself shrieked several times at
the top of my voice, and faiutcd After
ALL poor Joseph, the goodman, was faith
full, for one of the maids called him in, and
armed with a pitchfork, he secured the
robber, who was trying to Get out Of tho
window"