Year: 1874

AN intimate friend of an American
family who reside near Louvain, Bel
GUM, gives, under date of Nov.
u, the following account, received by
private letter, of "a burglary attempted
by noblemen, who had become desper-
ate on account of their losses by gam
bling:


You know the NJ - family who re
side here They wildly remember me,
and | have constantly been their guest
since my arrival. MIR. NJ has in
creased his great wealth by successful
stock operations in both London and
New York. They entertain magnificent
ly Invitations to their dinners are
eagerly sought by all who have any pre-
tension to such distinction but in no
house is gambling carried to a greater
pitch or more money lost in an after
noon. One night recently, her husband
being from home, Nine. Nj was sud
denly aroused from her sleep by hearing
steps in her room, and was Mortified to
see at her bedside three men masked and
armed. One of them said to her in "a
disguised voice: Give as the key of the
treasure-room.' i haven't got it, she
replied, with much self-possession. We
VIII try, and if we do not find it we will
torture you until you confess Upon
this, in fear and trembling, she produced
the key, which was concealed under her
pillow, and gave it to her interrogation.
After a short absence he returned saying
that he had been unable to open the lock,
and as she no doubt understood the Sc
cret of the spring, she should accompa-
ny them. There was no avail in refusal


and she promised to unlock the door
har al har to Il
herself But they Knocked her inconven-
lent modesty, and dragging her from her
bed hurried her along shivering with cold
and shame. She opened the door; heaps
of gold glittered on one shelf, and, as if
fascinated by the blaze of so much
coin, the robbers rushed eagerly into
the room. Mme Nj had recovered
her presence of mind, and seeing her
advantage, instantly closed the door and
called out to the intruders that they
should have ample time to count their
gains. Finding themselves trapped, as
1t were, IN their own snare. they cried
out Justify, and instead of the brutal
| manner with which they had lately terri
| fed her uttered most pitiful supplica-
tions for deliverance. Mercy, mercy.
Madame, they cried, in chorus, we have
| been led to make this rash attempt that


we migii, repair the heavy losses at play
which we have suffered in this
| house. You know US ALL am the
| Chevalier D; here is the Count De
- and Baron -. If you cannot have


mercy on ourselves, take pity on our
| families. Save our honor, which we
| value more than life 1t is true W. have
| been without pity for you; that will


make your generosity all he brighter if
| you libeTate us


For a moment she felt touched by the


position of persons whom she had re-
| ceived as friends and guests, and was
| disposed to save them from dishonor
| But casting her eye upon her almost un-
| covered figure, and remembering the
| coarseness with which they had outraged
| her modesty, she withdrew, and left them
| to pass the night in such comfort as they


might derive from the rouleauX of GOV


eted gold by which they were surround
| ed. 1t was only through the strong in,
| f1uence brought to bear upon Nine


NJ by an eminent Archbishop, who


is distant relative OF hers, and an init


mate friend of the families of two of the


distinguished burglars, that the Count
the Chevalier, and the Baron were spared


the exposure and punishment which
| their crime deserved. II was not unit


after the persistent coaxing Of his ami


able wife that NJ NJ could be made


to relent and spare the honor of tn,


titled gamblers relatives.