2
l)c tmc0, New Bloomftcltr,
A WOMAN'S ADVENTURE.
IN tho second year of the lute civil war,
I whs married, and went to live with
my husband in a small village on tho
Hudson, some fifty or sixty miles from
New York. The house we occupied was
a large, rambling mansion, of considera
ble antiquity for this country, and stood
a little apart from the rest of the village,
surrounded by broad fields, and command
ing a glorious view of the river and the
hills of tho Highlands. It had been
built before the l'evolution, by my hus
band's great-grandfather, and, though
destitute of many '' modem improve
ments," was still a comfortable and pleas
ant residence.
My husband was a lawyer and a largo
real-estate owner in the neighborhood,
and at the period of which I write, was
greatly perplexed, like many oilier per
sons in the North, by tho perilous state
of the times, and especially about the
safe investment of bis funds, as tlie sus
pension of specie payments, the great
rise of gold, and the military disasters in
Virginia, made it almost impossible to
tell where it would be sale to deposit or
to use one's money in any large amount.
In the courso of his transactions in
real estate, it happened, one day, that he
received what was for us then a large
sum, about ten thousand dollars, which
ho brought home and placed in my charge
telling mo at the same time that he
should have to bo absent during the
evening attending to souie business on
the other side of the river. and should not
bo at come till about midnight.
" You can place tho money in the safe,
dear," he said, as bo cave it to me, " and
to-morrow I will try and find some way
to invest it securely."
So saying, he stepped into" the buggy,
which was standing at the door, and
drove away, taking with hini our hired
man Silas, and leaving me with no one in
the house but Dinah, an old colored wo
man, who fulfilled in our modest house
hold tho functions of cook and maid-of-all-work,
as she had long done in the
family of my own parents, who, on my
marriage, bad yielded her to me as a val
uable part of my dower.
Dinah, was indeed a character. She
was tall and very stout, weighing, she
would never tell how much, more than
200 pounds. She was very black, and as
lazy as she was black. I do not think
any one could move more deliberately
than .Dinah, did, that is to move at all.
And, by a wonderful dispensation, she
seemed to feel that, whatever her other
faults might bo, she was strong on the
point of locomotion. For, when she had
been moving with- a ponderous slowness,
almost uiuddennnto'u person of ordina
ry quickness, one of her favorite expres
sion was, ''Well, Miss Lillie, what shall
I liy into next '!" How she accomplish
ed all she did, tho brownies only know.
We used sometimes almost to tremble
when there was any special hurry about
our domestic nrranjiements, and vet .Di
nah always managed to bring affairs to a
consummation lust when a minute more
would have ruined everything; and. with
undisturbed front, would slowly enunci
ate, " Y ell, miss, what shall 1 fly onto
It was nearly dark when my husband
departed, and, al'tcr giving my orders to
Dinah, or rather my suggestions, 1 lei t.
her, and made the tour of the house, to
. see that all was sale and properly locked
up. This duly attended to, 1 went to
ruy bedroom, intending to pass the time
in reading till my husband should return.
Jt was a large room on the ground
floor, with two French windows opening
on a" broad verandah. Tho windows
were draped with long yellow silk cur
tains, .between which the moonlight faint
ly entered, dimmed by tho shadow of the
roof of the piazza, and partly intercepted
by the fringe of woodbino, which hung
from it. My bed stood with its foot to
ward tho windows, and with its head
about half a yard from the wall. It was
an old-fashioned structure, hung with
yellow silk like the windows, but I blept
with the hangings drawn back and fast
ened to the headboard. The bed was so
large that no one ever thought of mov
ing it, except in those seasons of house
hold panic called house cleauing, when
tho combined strength of threo or four
was called into requisition to draw it in
to the middle of the room. .So elaborate
ly carved was it that it went by the name
of Westminister Abbey in the family.
At one end ot the room, at no great dis
' tance from the bed, was a largo gale,
built into the huge chimney of the man
. sion to enter, standing upright.. Here I
was accustomed to place, every evening,
i our-silver plate on shelves which extend
ed around the sides, on which also were
placed boxes containing papers and other
valuables. Opposite the foot of the bed
stead, Letween the windows, was a mir
ror, running from the floor almost to the
ceiling. Like all other furniture in the
room, it was old and handsome. How
many happy scenes it had reflected in the
hundred years it had stood there!
Tho night was exceedingly hot, and I
therefore left the windows open, though
I drew the curtains before I seated my
self at the table in the centre of the
room, lighted the candles, and began to
read in order to pass away the heavy time
before the return of my husband.
After a while, I heard the clock strike
nine, at which hour Dinah always went
to bed. Her chamber was in the attic,
the third story of tho house. llomom
bering some household matter about
which I wished to speak to her, I started
hurriedly up. ami went into the entry to
intercept her before she got up stairs
I bad to wait about, a minute before she
came, and our colloquy continued three
or four minutes more.
When I returned to my bed-room,
ieelmg somewhat tired. I resolved to go
bed, as, at that late hour in tho country,
it was quite certain that no visitors would
call, and my husband could let himself
in with the latch key which he always
carried. I thought, however, 1 would
try to keep awake by reading, and ac
cordingly placed a light stand and the
candles at the head of my bed. 1 then
closed and fastened the windows, undress
ed, and got into bed. 'i be key of the
sale I placed a.s usual, under my pillow.
After reading perhaps an hot.r. I grew
weary id' tho boo!;, and. quietly laying it
down, remained for .sometime meditating
with my eyes fixed upon the mirror op
posite the foot of (ho led in which 1
,1 ,.. rt.l. ., VI
count sec mvseii rcit 'Ctui, tooetner wnn
the vellow silk curtains behind my head.
1 was thinking, not unnaturally, how
pretty I looked, ami how happy I uas,
with such a loving husband and so Gne a
sum id money secured in our sale, when
suddenly I saw in the mirror a sight that
made my heart stand still. A hand ap
peared between the curtains, drawing
them slowly apart, and grasping cautious
ly, tho head board. It was a man's hand,
large, course and dark, as if belonging to
a .mulatto; or to one greatly tanned by ex
posure to the weather.
My first impulse was to start from tho
bed and scream for help. 1 repressed it, by
a strong effort d' will, and lay perfectly
motionless, except that I partially closed
my eyes, keeping them only sufficiently
open to watch the mirror. As quick lis
lightning my mind took in tho situation.
In the few minutes of my absence from
the room, while taking to Dinah in the
entry, a thief had stolen in by the piazza
windows, and had hidden himself either
under tho bed or behind its draped head,
lie was doubtless armed ; and if I cried
out, and attempted to escape from the
room, he could easily reach the door be
fore I could. And for his own security
would probably put mo to death. Dinah
was too distant, and too feeble and clum
sy to afford me any assistance, and beside
was by this time fast asleep in tho third
story. Tho man doubtless knew that my
husband had that day received a largo
sum of money, and had gone across the
river leaving me alone in tho house.
He had entered, caring only for the mon
ey, and anxious above all things to es
cape undetected and unrecognized. If 1
let him know that I was aware of his
presence, I should expose myself to mur
der, and perhaps to outrage worse than
murder. My obvious policy was to keep
quiet and to feign sleep. 1 thought also
of tho money, and was not altogether
willing to resign that without an effort to
save it, and to have at least some clew to
tho identity of tho thief. I confess,
however, that this last consul oration was
not a very strong one, and am afraid that
if I could have seen my way clear to an
escapo from tho room and tho house, I
should have fled incontinently, without
stopping to seo more thau that terrible
hand.
A moment which seemed an hour,
passed while these thoughts rushed
through my mind. I lay perfectly still,
with my eyes half closed, watching the
mirror. Slowly and noiselessly the fright
ful hand pulled up its owner until I could
see the head and face reflected in the
glass, and glaring at mo with fierce, yet
wary eyes. The man was a mulatto, very
dark, with evil passions written in every
lineament. I could scarcely refrain from
shuuderiug at tho sight of bis hateful
visage, aud Bpcedily closed my eyes to
shut it out. I was not yet quite ready
for the ordeal through which I knew I
must soon pass. I wanted to move my
light-stand a little out of the way and to
so arrange the bed clothes that I could
spring from the bed without impediment.
I therefore gave a little sigh and moved
as if about te awake, slightly opening my
eyes at the same time. '1 ho head and
the hand, instantly disappeared. I then
composedly made the desired changes in
the position of the stand and the arrang
ment. of the clothes, put my watch with
the key of the safe under my pillow so
near the edge that they could easily bo
taken out, as I knew they would be ex
tinguished one of my candles, said my
prayers, and closing my eyes, resigned
myself to my fate, with no very sanguine
of definite hope of being extricated from
my perilous condition.
I made my breathing regular, and a
littlo louder than when I was awake, and
lay with my head, counterfeiting sleep.
At last the stillness became more horri
ble than even the first agony of fear.
Several times I fancied that 1 heard a
soft step approach from the place of con
cealment. As often I was deceived.
Then again that dreadful stillness, in
which I counted the tickings of the
watch through the pillow ! It was a pos
iiive relief when he came out from be
hind the curtain, stopped at the table aud
stoi d looking at me as I was well aware,
though my eyes were closed. I forced
myself to breathe regularly and audibly.
He came closer; he bent over me. lie
passed the lighted candle slowly before
my face 1 wo or threo times. I felt the
heat and saw the light through my closed
lids, which must have iiuiverod. though
l-.n iliil liiil imoii t.i i it iCAl ,o ttkiill' tin. to. II
Heaven gave n:c strength not to move or
cry out. Satisfied, apparently, ho put
back tho candlestick on tho stand, and
his hand crept sofily aud slowly under
the pillow, aud one by one ho removed
my watch and the key of the safe. He
stook so long looking at mo that I felt
impelled to open mv eves suddenly upon
him.
As he walked s'iftly toward the safe, I
did partly open them, and cautiously
watched him through ny eyelashes. 1
heard lrni fumbling with ihe lock, and
once ho looked over toward tho bed. My
eyes were wide open, but I closed them
in time not. to be detected. Watching
him steahhily, I saw him open the door
of the safe which ho entered without
withdrawing the key from the lock.
Hero was the opportunity for which I
had waited and watched. I sprang
lightly from tho bed, with one bound,
reached the safe, dashed the door to,
and turned tho key, and with one long
and loud shriek fell prostrate and sense
less on the floor of the dark room.
How long I lay upon the floor, I do not
know probably for a few minutes only
but as I was unconscious, it seemed,
when I came to myself, a.s if tho inter
val had been a long one. I was aroused
by his blows upon tho iron door, aud 1
found myself weak after tho long, ner
vous tension, but still calm. I remem
ber the satisfaction with which I thought,
while I lay there before rising, that he
could not escape, mingled with a .vague
and foolish dread that ho might in his
rage burn the valuable contents of the
safe, lie pounded desperately on the
door, and swore fearfully at finding him
self entrapped. But as I took no notice
of his outcries, he soon grew quiet.
Present 1 rose, and lighting a candle,
dressed myself with all possible, haste,
and with trembling fingers, turning often
to lool; at the safe, from under the closed
itoor ot which, l more man nan expected
to see blood trickling why, I cannot tell
except that my mind was full of images
of horror. 1 was soon in readiness. 1
bad no means of ascertaining tho time,
as he had my watch in his pocket, and
there was no clock in the room. Taking
the candlo I hastened to arouso Dinah,
who, us L shook her, slowly opened her
eyes, and with scarcely any more than
her usual slowness pronounced her form
ula: "Well, Miss Lillio, what's do mat
ter wid do chile ? You ain't seen a
ghost, havo you honey 1"
" No, Dinah ; but I've seen something
worse than a ghost. I've caught a rob
ber, and he's in the safe. What time is
it?" and looking at tho clock that ticked
slowly and deliberately as how could
Dinah's clock help doing ? I saw to my
great relief that it was nearly midnight.
Wo had scarcely got down stairs when
I heard tho sound of wheels. A mo
ment more, aud my husband was in my
arms, listening with amazement to a rap
id narrative of my singular adventure
I would not suffer him to open tho safe
until Silas had summoned assistance
from tho neighboring houses. I feared
that my desperate prisoner might still es
cape. When the safe was opened, there
sat tho burglar ou the trunk, half-stupe-fied
for waut of uir, a knife in oae Lund,
the package of money in the other, and
the burned-out candle at his feet. lie
was recognized as an old offender, who
had not long been out of State l'rison.to
which, in duo course of law, ho w as soon
sent back for a term of years, which I
devoutly hope, may last as long as he
lives; for I confess I should not feel easy
to hear that ho was again at largo. The
look of rage ho gave mo on coining out
of tho safe will not soon bo obliterated
from my memory.
My husband, I need hardly say, was
greatly pleased with my safe invest
ment, and complimented mo highly on
the courage and coolness which had
doubtless saved my life as well us our
money.
Patrimonial Anecdote.
rgHIH Rev. Mr. 0., a respectable cler
B gyman in the interior of the St; te.
relates the following anecdote. A coup
le came to hint to get married. After the
knot was tied, tho bridegroom addressed
him with " How much do you ax Mis
ter?" " Why," replied the clergyman, " I
generally take what is offered me. Some
times more, and sometimes less. Heave
it to the bridegroom."
" Yes but. how much do you ax, 1
say ?" replied the happy man.
" I have just said," returned tho cler
gyman, that I left it to the decision of
the bridegroom. Some give me ten dol
lars; some live ; some three ; some two;
some one; and some only a quarter of a
one."
" A quarter, eh ?" said tho bridegroom.
" Weil, that'.- . 3 reasonable as a body
could ax." He took out his pocket-book
- there was no money there; ho fum
bled in all his pockets, but not a sixpence
could ho find. " I thought,'' said he,
" I had some money with me; but I re
collect now 'twas in my other trousers
pocket. Hetty, have you got such a
thing as two shillings about ye '!"
" Me !" said the bride with a mixture
of shame ami indignation -"I'm aston
ished at, ye, to come hero to be married
without a cent of money to pay for it!
If I'd known it afore, t wouldn't a come
a step with ye; you might have gone
alone to be married for all me."
" Yes, but consider. Hetty," said the
bridegroom, in a soothing tone ; " We're
married now, and it can't be helped if
you have got, sich a thing us a couple of
shilliu's "
" Hero take 'em," interrupted the an
gry bride, who, during this speech, had
1 ecu searching in her work-bag;"" and
don't you." said she, with a significant,
motion of her finger-" don't you serve
me uiwllirr sit h a Iritk."
How it was Dene.
A lawyer retained in a case of assault
and battery, was cross-examining a wit
ness in relation to tho force of a blow.
" What, kind of a blew was given ?"
asked the lawyer.
" A blow of tho common kind."
" Describe the blow ?"
"I am not good at description."
'Show me what kind of a blow it
was ?"
" I can't."
" You must."
" I won't.".
The lawyer appealed to tho court.
The court told the witness that if the
counsel insisted upon his showing what
kind of a blow it, was, ho must do so.
" Do you iusist upon it'" usked the
witness.
" I do."
" Well, then since you compel mo to
show you, it was this kind of a blow !"
and at the same time sailing tho act to
tho word, he knocked over tho astonish
ed disciple of Cooke and Littleton.
A Hard Story.
A young man of eighteen was recently
discovered living with his mother in a
town in ludianna, us her husband. She
was a charming widow of thirty-five, her
husband having died soon after the birth
of this her only child. They aro weal
thy, intelligent and refined in manners,
and in their native city of Baltimore wero
highly respected. Having determined
upon this unnatural alliance they went to
Indiana some months ago aud were mar
ried, and have since becu living together
in the greatest apparent bliss and har
mony. An old acquaintance accidental
ly came upon them and the facts were
revealed.
BA young lady on being asked what
calling she wished her sweetheart to fol
low, blushiugly replied that she wished
him to bo a husbandman.
Underground Fires.
T
HI FRF are many instances of vast
and have been burning for years. When
once well ignited, and all communication
with the external air is not entirely cut
off. (and some imperceptible fissures are
quite sufficient to prevent this,) then the
devouring element pursues its course
without interruption. It partially bums
the coal and calcines the sandstones and
adjacent schists, changing their colors to
a sort of red, and altering their ci inposi
tion. At Brule, near Saint Kticnne,
there is a coal mine which has been on
fire from time immemorial. 'I he soil tit
the surface is baked and barren ; hot va
pors escape from it ; sulphur, alum, sal
ammoniac, and various natural products
arc deposited on it; it might be supposed
to be a portion of tho accursed cities
formerly cousumed by the fires of heaven
and earth.
Oilier burning coal mines are cited in
France; for example, those of Decazc
ville, in Aveyron, and of Cunnicntry, in
the department of Allier. The inhabi
tants liave even lor a long time kept up
these fires lor the sake of working the al
uminous salts which aie given off from
the coal and are deposited on tho surface
of the soil as a whitish eft'orescenee.
In the carboniferous basins of the Saar
liruek and Tilesia, there are likewise coal
mines which have been on fire for a long
time. In Belgium, letween Nanuir and
Charleroi, at a place called Falizoile, the
lire has been alight lbr many years. The
inhabitants formerly were in the habit of
working the coal on their own account.
Now it frequently happened that two
parties came in contact, causing endless
disputes and sometimes sangu'iiary fights.
A favorite way of keeping rivals or com
petitors at a distance, was to throw pieces
of old leather on a burning brazier, caus
ing an insupportable stench. One day
the fire extended also to the coal, since
which time it has never ceased burning
The fire, which burns underground, is
seen through fissures in the surface.
Sulphur deposits itself round these vents,
and acid gasses are cnvolved.
In the environs of Dudley there was
formerly a coal mine on fire. The snow
melted in the gardens as soon as it touch
ed the ground. '1 hey gathered three
crops a year; even tropical plants were
cultivated; and, as in the Isle of Calyp
so, an eternal spring prevailed. In an
other Staffordshire collicrly. the firing of
which dates many years back, and which
is called by the inhabitants "Burning
Hill," it was noticed, as at Dudley, that
the snow melted on reaching tho ground,
and that tho grass in tho meadows was
always green. Tho people of tho coun
try conceived the idea of establishing a
school of horticulture on the spot.
They imported colonial plants at a heavy
expense, and cultivated them in this kind
of open air conservatory. One fine day
the fire went out, the soil gradually re
sinned its usual temperature, tho tropi-
cal plants died, and the school of horti
culture was under the necessity of trans
ferring their gardens elsewhere.
Curious things to Know.
Besides the fact that ice is lighter than
water, there is another curious thing
about It which persons do not know, per
haps, viz , it purity. A lump of ice mel
ted will always become purely distilled
water. When the early navigators of the
Arctic seas got out of water ihey melted
fragments of those vast mountains of ice
called icebergs, and were astonished to
find that they yielded only fresh water.
They thought that they wero frozen salt
water not knowing that they were formed
on the laud and in some way launched into
the sea. But if they had beeu right tho
result would have just been the same.
The fact is, tho water, in frccziug
turns out of it all that is not water salt,
air, coloring matter and all impurities.
Frozen sea-water makes fresh-water icq.
If you freeze a basin of indigo water it
will make it as pure as that made of pure
rain-water. When the cold is very sud
den these foreign matters have no time
to escape either by rising or sinking, and
are thus entangled with the ice, but do
not form any part of it.
Bad Luck and Good Luck. - Bad
luck is simply a man with his hands in
his pockets and hi pipe in his mouth,
looking on to see how it will come out.
Good luck is a man of pluck, with his
sleeves rolled up aud working to make it
come right.
tSS" The path of obedience is the path
ot truitlulness.