The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-01-28
THIRTY MEN UNDER HER.

Australia.
THIRTY MEN UNDER HER.
Gradually she ga cred around her men
who were we'll known in that country
for fearlessness and who lived on the
proceeds of their unlawful acts. She
finally collected a band of thirty mem
bers. Each she compelled to take an
oath to obey her slightest wish. To
each she paid a large monthly salary,
and all they had to do to earn it was to
obey her.
Mounted on the finest horses that
could be procured, with the queen at the
head, the band that was soon to become
famous rode to the large wooden house
that had purposely been erected in a Sc
Guided and most desolate spot. There
they lived on every luxury that the sea-
son afforded Dressed in dazzling COS
tune the queen commanded them, and
her most absurd order was instantly
obeyed. She even went so far as to at
tempt to mold the mems thoughts.
Gradually it became known that a
beautiful woman was the leader of a
lawless band and the strange house be-
came the sole topic of conversation. She
was declared to be rmously rich, and
many weird stories were told about her.
She never appeared in the towns or
cities, and she was mystery to all.
Many wealthy Englishmen heard Of
her, and all desired to behold her. vii
liam Griffin, a young officer of the
Queens army, who was stationed in
Australia, became possessed of a strange
idea that he must see the mysterious
woman who, Dame Rumor said, was re
markedly beautiful. Securing leave
of absence he set out for her palace, and
after d weary journey he found himself
within her grounds.
No sooner had he entered than he was
seized by armed men and roughly rushed
into tae presence of the one he sought
"You are my prisoner for three
months,' she said, land for three
mon shs you must obey my wishes
IL 1CIl ucy 6lO lSoOSO HlltUCl sou VI
orders for the prisoner to execute and
his keepers saw that he obeyed the Or
ders to a letter. Two hours each day he
spent in her presence, and listened 81
entity to her as she told him of his many
faults and the many reforms that would
have to occur before he was liberated.
He was ma lie to ride the wickedest of
horses, perform daring feats he never
thought lie was capable of, and some
times he was compelled to work about
the place.
When three months had gone he was
ushered into the leaders, presence, and
after she compelled him to take an oath
to respect all women for the remainder
of his life he was escorted by mounted
men about two miles from the place and
set at liberty.
About nine months ago Wharton j.
Anderson, a wealthy young Englishman,
who was travelling in Australia, heard of
ssThe Bandit Queen and determined to
see her and find out if all the queer tales
he had heard about her were true. With
some difficulty he sought her out, and
when he had entered the grounds he
was seized, as others before him had
been, ushered into the leaders presence.
In the same way as Griffin was treated
50 was Anderson dealt with. He, how
ever, rabelled and declined either to
obey orders or listen to any directions
whatever.
OF one thing5 he was positive. He
knew that he loved this mysterious and
beautiful woman, and he determined to
make her his wife or die in the attempt
Somehow or other she acted strangely in
his presence, and the end Of it all was
that love conquered.
Two weeks afterward the home was
deserted and the band had separated.
Mabel Thompson, no longer ''The Ban
dit Queen" was married to young An
derson in Sydney, and they Immediately
sailed for America, landing in San Fran
cisco "a few months ago. They have
been in st. Louis for nearly two weeks,
and expect to remain month longer.
Manx Humor
Some funny stories are told about the
marriage service. One of them relates
liz y -