Year: 1859

endurance of delicate physical organiza-
tion. A striking instance OF self-command,
by lady whose fears must have been pow
erfully excited, and whose life OF af1luence
had probably never before given her nerves
any severer test than is incident 10 the yex-
ations of domestic cares is given in Cham
ber's Journal of last month. We copy the
adventure, promising by the way of ex-
PLANTATION, that the lady was the daughter of
a rector in qu:e, English country village,
and was Upon the eve of manage.


"rhe wedding day was 10 be upon the
morrow of that upon which our adventure
happened.


Grand preparations were made for the
wedding; and the rector's fine old plate, land
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 10 prize fight, which had
taken place in the neighborhood.


That night Adelaide, who occupied sep
arate room from her sister, sat up late-long
after the household had retired to rest. She
had long interview with her father and
had been reading chapter TO which he had
directed attention, and since had packed up
her jewels &c. She was consequently, still
dressed when the church clock tolled mid
night AS it ceased she heard low noise
like that of file she listened, but could
discover nothing clearly. 1t might have
been made by some of the servants still
about, or perhaps it was only the croaking
of the old trees. She heard nothing but the
signing of the winter winds for many min
u!es afterwards. House breakers were mere
myths in primitive Thydon, and The bride
elect without thought of fear, resumed
her occupation. She was gazing on gilt
tering 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, 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 and feeble and suf-
fering from heart complaint She confront
ed the robber boldly, and addressed him in
whisper, "You are come 10 rob US. Spare
your soul the awful guilt of murder. NV
father sleeps next TO my room, and 10 be
startled from his sleep would kill him
Make no noise, beg of you.


The fellow was astonished and cowed.-
"We won't make Eo noise, Che replied sud.
denly,) if you give us everything quietly"


Adelaide drew back and let him take her
Jewels-not without paug, for they where
precious love gifts, remarking at the same
time that two more masked rufIians stood at
the half open door. AS he took the Jewel
case and watch from the table and demand
ed her purse, she asked him if he intended
10 go into her fathers room. She received
a surley affirmative. "He WASH going to run
risk and leave half the tin behind p' She
proposed Instantly that she would go her.
self saying 81 will bring you whatever
you wish, and you may guard me thi;her,
and kill me if play false to you The fel-
low consulted his comrades, and after
short parley, they agreed TO the proposal,
and with pistol pointed at her head, the
dauntless girl crossed the passage and en-.
tered 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 vet
satisfied


The leader replied that they should be
when they got the spread of plate spread
out below, but they couldn't let her out of
sight, and that she must go with them. In
compliance with this mandate she followed
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 assembled-seated themselves and
prepared TO make good meal. They or
dered her TO get out wine, and cut her own
wedding cake for them aud then seated at
The head of the table, she was compelled 10
preside at this extraordinary revel.


They ate and drank, and ioked; and Ade-
laide, 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 glancing at
the young lady. For the frsttime Adelaide's
courage gave way and she tremtled but it
was not a consultation against her; they told
her that they did not wish TO harm her
that she was jolly wench, regular game,
and they wouldn't hurt her, out that she must
swear not to give an alarm till nine or ten
the next day, when they should be off all
SAFE To this she was of course obliged 10
assent, and then they all insisted on shak-
ing hands with her. She noticed during the
parting ceremony, that one of the ruffians
had only three fingers on his left hand.


Alone in the despoiled room, Adelaide
faint and exhausted, awaited the first gleam
OF day; when, as the robbers did not return
she stole up TO her room, undressed, and
fell into disturbed slumber. The conster-
nation OF the family, the next morning
mluht be imaoinad and AdeaidefS story