Year: 1875

larry


An intimate friend of an American
family who resides near Louyain, Bel
GUM, gives, under date of Nov. IL, the
following account received by private
letter, of a burglary attempted by noble
men, who had become. desperate on ac
count Of their losses through gambling:
"You know the M family, who re
side here. They wildly remember me,
and have consta ntly been their guest
since my arrival Mr.. M has in
creased his great wealth by successful
stock operations both in London and
New York. They entertain magnificent
ly. Invitations to their dinners and
balls are eagerly sought by all who have
any pretenslens to such distinction; but
in no house is gambling carried to a
greater pitch or more money lost in an
afternoon. One night recently, her hus-
band beiniS from home, Nine. M was
suddenly aroused from her sleep by
hearing steps in her room and was hor-
rifed TO see at her bedside three men
masked and armed. One of them said
to her in disguised voice; Give us the
key to the treasure-room. i haven t
got it, she replied with much selt-pos-
session. We will try, and if we do not
tipd it we will torture you until you con-
fe,ss Upon this, in fear and trembling,
she produced the key, which was con-
cealed under the pillow, and gave it to
the interrogation. After a short absence
he returned, saying that he had been un-
able TO open the lock, and as she, no
doubt, understood the secret of the
spring, she should accompany them.
There was no avail in refusal, and
she promised to unlock the door,
provided they would allow her to
dress herself But they Knocked her in
convenient modesty, and, dragging her
from her bed, hurried her along, shiver-
ing 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 eag-
erly into the room. Nine. 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 it were, in their own snare,
they cried out Justify, and, instead Of
the brutal manner with which they had
lately terrified her, uttered most piteous
applications for deliverance. Mercy,
mercy, madame, they cried in chorus,
we have been led to make this rash at
tempt that we might repair the heavy
losses at play, which we have suffered in
this house. You know us ALL am the
Chevalier De-; here is Count De-
and Baron -. If you cannot have
mercy on ourselves, take pity on our
families. Save ourhonor, which we value
ue more than life, it is true we have been
without pity for you; that viii make
your generosity all the brighter if you
liberate us. For moment she felt
touched by the position of persons whom
she had received as friends and guests,
and was disposed to save them from dis.
honor. But casting her eye upon her
almost uncovered figure, and remember
ing the coarseness with which they had
outraged her modesty she withdrew, and
left them to pass the night in such com
fort as they might derive from the roul-
eaux of coveted gold by which they were
surrounded. 1t was only, through the
strong influence brought to bear upon
Madame M by an eminent Arch
bishop, who is distant relative of hers,
and an intimate 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"