The Saline County journal., 1871-05-18
4 Nidnisht Adventure.

Females often possess presence Ofmind
I'd the power of self-control under cir
tsmstances Of imminent danger which
sem almost foreign to Il cir n .ture, and
beyond the endurance OF . delicate or
ganization. Here is striking instance
Of selfcommand by a lady whose fears
must have been powerfully excited, and
whose life of affiuence had probably nev-
er before given her nerves any severer
test than is incident to the vexations Of
domestic cares. We copy the adventure,
promising by way of explanation, that
the lady was the daughter of rector,
residing in quiet English country vii
lage, and was upon the eve Of marriage.
The wedding day was to be on the NOR
row of that on which our adventure hap
pened. Grand preparations were made
for the wedding; and the rector's fine
old plate, and the costly gifts of the
bride, were discussed with pride and
pleasure at the Hare and Hounds in the
presence OF some strangers who had
come down to a prize fight which had
taken place in the neighborhcod.
That night, Adelaide, who had occu-
pied room separate from her sister, sat
up late-long after the whole household
had retired to rest. She had u long in
terview with her father, and had been
reading chapter to which he had direct
ed her attention, and since, had packed
mp her jewels, etc. She was, consequent
", still dressed when the church clock
tOlled midnight. As it ceased, she fam
cied she heard low noise like that of a
file; she listened, but could distinguish
nothing clearly. 1t might have been
made by some of the servants still about,
or perhaps it was only the creal,ing OF
the old trees. She heard nothing but
the signing OF the winter winds for many
minutes afterward. House breakers
We're mere myths i'll primitive lyndon,
and the bride elect, without Il single
thought of fear, resumed her occupation.
She was gazing on a Siittering set OF
diamonds, destined TO be worn 1T the
wedding, when her bedroom door softly
opened. She turned, Looked up, and be-
held man with black mask, holding
"A 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 10 whom any sudden
alarm might be death, for he was old,
feeble, and suffering from the heart COM
plant She affronted the robher boldly,
and addressed him in whisper:
"You are come she said, "to rob us.
Spare your soul the awful guilt of mur-
der. 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 astonished and cowed.
I'VE won't make no noisc," he replied,
ait you give us everything quietly"
Adelaide drew back and let him take
her jewels-not without pang, for they
were precious love-gifts, rcmarking at
the same time that two other masked ruff
fans stood at the halfopened door As
he took the iewcl-casc and watch from
the table, and demanded her purse, she
asked him if he intended to go into her
fathers room. She received q surly af-'
firmative; he wasn'i going to run all risk
and leave the tin behind. She proposed
instantly that she would 90 herself; say
ing:
al will bring you whatever You wish,
and you may guard me thither, and kill
me if play false 10 you"
The fellow consulted is comrades, and
after a short parley, they agreed to the
proposal and with pistol pointed at
her head, the dauntless girl crossed the
passage and entered the rector's room.
Very gently she stole across the cham
Der and removing his purse, watch, keys,
and desk, she gave them up to the rob
bers who stood at the door. The old |
man slept peacefully and calmly, thus
guarded by his child, who softly 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 60 |
with them. In compliance with this
mandate. she followed them down stairs
to the dining room, where a splendid
breakfast had been laid, to save
trouble and hurry on the morrow. To
her surprise, the fellows--eigh in num-
ber when ssembied-scated themselves
and prepared to take 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 of the table, she
was compelled to preside at this extraor-
binary rcvcl.
They ate, drank, laughed and joked
and Adelaide, quick Of ear and eye, had
time to study, in her quiet way, the iig-
ures and voices of the whole set.
When the repast was ended, and the
plate transferred to sack, they prepared
to depart, whispering together and CLAN
cling at the young lady. For the first time
courage gave way, and she
but it was not a consultation
against her, as it proved. The leaker
her. told her, that they did
not wish to harm her-that she was 4
jolly wench, 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
off all safe. To this, of course, she was
obliged to assent, and they all insisted !
on shaking hands with her. She noticed
during this parting ceremony that one
of the ruffians had only three fingers on