Year: 1859

! duU the power OF SotI-COGtEOI u0QcT CETCum-
stances of imminent peril, which seem al
most foreign to their nature and beyond the
endurance of a delicate physical organiza-
| ton. a striking instance of self-command,
| by a lady whose fears must have been pow
erfully excited, and whose life of affiuence
had probably never before given her nerves
any severer test than is incident to the vex-
atoms of domestic cares, is given in Cham
ber's Journal of last month. We copy the
adventure, promising. by way ofexplanation,


that the lady was the daughter of rector
residing in a quiet English country village,
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 dis
cussed with pride and pleasure at the Hare
and Hounds, in the presence of some stran-
gers who had come down to prize fight
which had taken place in the neighborhood.
That night, Adelaide, who occupied a
separate room from her sister, sat up late
long after all the household had retired to
rest. She had had a long interview with
her father, and had been reading chapter
to which he had directed attention, and since
had packed up her jewels. dc. She was
consequently still dressed when the church
clock tolled midnight. As it ceased, she
heard low noise like that of a file; she
listened, but could distinguish nothing clear
ly. 1t might have been made by some of
the servants still about, or perhaps it was
only the cracking of the old trees. She
heard nothing but the signing of the winter
winds for many minutes afterwards. House
breakers were mere myths in primitive Thy
don, and the bride elect, without fear, re-
sumed her occupation. She was gazing on
a glittering set of diamonds, destined to be
worn at the wedding, when her bedroom
door softly opened. She turned. looked up,
and beheld man with black mask, hold
ing 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 to whom any sudden alarm might
be death, for he was old. feeble, and suffer-
ing from heart complaint. She confronted
the robber boldly, and addressed him in
whisper: "You are come" she said, ''to
rob US. Spare your soul the awful guilt of
murder. Ny father sleeps next to my room.
and to be startled from his sleep would kill
him. Make no noise, I beg of you


The fellow was astonished and cowed.-
eve won't make no noise," he replied sud
denly, eff you give us everything quietly"


Adelaide drew back and let him take her
jewels-not without pang, for they were
precious love gifts, remarking at the same
time, that two more masked ruffians stood
at the half-opened door. AS he took the
jewel-case and watch from the table, and
demanded her purse, she asked him If he
intended to go into her fathers room. She
received surly affirmative ''He wasn't
going to run risk and leave half the tin
behind - She proposed instantly that she
should go herself, saying: 81 will bring
you whatever you wish, and you may guard
me thither, and kill me If play false to
you." The fellow consulted his comrades,
and after short parley, agreed to the pro-
posal and with pistol pointed at her head,
the dauntIess girl crossed the passage, and
entered the rector's room. Very gently
she stole across the chamber, and removing
his purse, watch, keys and desk. gave them
up to the robbers 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, but that she must go with them.
In compliance with this mandate, she fol-
lowed them down stairs to the dining room,
where a splendid wedding breakfast had
been laid, to save trouble and hurry on the
morrow. To her surprise, the fellows
eight in number, when assenbled-seated
themselves, and prepared to make 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 vas compelled to preside at this
extraordinary revel.


They ate and drank. laughed and joked:
and Adelaide, quick of ear and eye, had
thus time to. study, in her quiet way. the
figures and voices of the whole set


When the repast was ended, and the plate
was transferred to sack, they prepared to
depart, whispering together, and giancing at
the young lady. For the first time Ade-
laide's courage gave way, and she trembled;
but il was not consultation against her;
thew told her they did not wish to harm her
that she was Jolly wench. reg lar game. "
and they wouldn't hurt her, but that she
must swear net to give an alarm till or 10
next day, when they should be of ali safe.
To this she was, of course, obliged to as
sent. and then they all insisted on shaking
hands With her. She noticed, during this
parting ceremony. that one of the rufisns
bad only three fingers on the left hand.


Alone in the despoiled room. Adeiaide.
faint and exhausted, awaited the FIRST CLEAN
of daylight; then, as the robbers did not
return. she stole up to her room, undressed,
and fell into q disturbed slunber. The con-
ssernation of the family next morning might
be imagined and hdelaide's story was
still more astounding than the fact of the
robbery itself. Police were sent for from
London, and they. guided by Adelaide lu-
cid description Of her midnight guests. act.
ually succeeded in capturing every one OF
the gang. whom the Young lady had no dit
e L. 10. me