The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-05-21
WANTED ar TIE CROSS ROADS


wonder, for it was the widest night 1 had
ever known in all my life, and the country
road over which took my way as bad
and dark as country roads in general. 1
consequently was walking at great rate,
with the collar of my rough coat over my
ears, and comforter tied over my soft
hat and under my chin, to keep it on and
to protect my ears, when suddenly man
stood fnll in my path and caught me by
the arm.
''Hullo - said he. s'You're Just in
time; you are wanted at the Crossroads
tonight -
The voice was the voice of a ruffian.
l fancied myself attacked by high
wayman.
stood quite still, and strove to show
him by my manner that was able to pro-
tect myself.
'What the deuce am wanted at the
cross roads for % asked l. ''Unless l
choose it would be hard matter to get
me there"
But instead of producing pistol and
demanding my money or life, the man an
swered in an altered tone:
''Beg pardon II made mistake. l
thought it was my brother, and wanted to
frishten him. Bad night, sir ~
''Very!" said I.
ssYou don't know the time % he asked.
EsIt was seven when left the train at
L." said [.
''Thank ye," said the man. "GoOd
night"
If his object had been robbery, probably
he had decided, from my rough appear
ance, that l was too poor man TO be
worth the trouble.
But after all, thought 1, probably he
spoke the truth. A man may have such
g voice without being highwayman, no
doubt
So went on homeward, and soon found
myself under shelter and partaking of
warm and savory supper.
My mother was there and my brother
Ben. Ben was great strapping fellow
who could beat any other boy of his age
for miles around if it came TO wrestling or
boxing, and as good humored boy as ever
Hved-a boy always to mother and l,
though he had exercised his right to vote
already in one Presidential election.
When supper was over and we had
chatted for an hour, we went up stairs to-
gether. We shared one room.
The moment Ben's head touched the
pillow he always went TO sleep. That
night l followed his example.
But did not sleep long without dream
"a dream in which L felt rough grip
on my arm, and was reused by cry in
my ear:
s'Wake up! You're wanted at the
cross roads"
1t was SO real, so palpable, that when
[ started broad awake | actually believed
that some one was In the room the man
who had met me on the road perhaps, and
who intended robbery or violence, But
when l had arisen, and lit my lamp, the
room was empty, except myself and Ben,
who lay snoring on his pillow.
! l went to the door it was locked,
went to the window; the rush of rain
against the panes was all heard. Ieven
went across the passage to my mothers
room. She was awake =; there had been
no unusual sound she was sure.
Only dream born of my meeting the
strange man in the road, l felt had ava
kened me- went TO bed and fell asleep
again. Again l was awakened by the
same words ; this time shrieked in my ear
by an unearthly voice.
''Wake up, wake up. You are wanted
at the cross roads"
was on my feet once more, and caught
Ben's hand as he came toward my bed
"What ails you - he cried.
''Nothing," said 1. ''Did you hear 8
voice ?"
yours" said Ben, 'syelIiug wake up
you fairly frightened me.
"Ben," said |, swat until light the
lamp, l heard another voice. There must
be some one in the house or outside"
So lit the lamp and we searched in vain.
Nightmare" said Ben, when 1 told
him my story.
''Ben," said I, 'Ewhat is there at the
cross roads 2"
ga house," said Ben. He had lived
in the neighborhood a long while, and
not lorg
''Oue little house, besides two oak trees
and fence An old man lives there, q
rich man, and a bit of a miser, they say.
LILO uOuSo lOi Hllli
''Ben, that fellow may have meant
harm to them. may be wanted at the
cross roads,
''Brother," said Ben, ego to Sleep
You had a nightmare" and Ben plunged
in between the blankets, and was soor
snoring again.
| also in ten minutes slept as soundly
as before, but the awakening came again.
opened my eyes to see a girl standing
at the foot of my bed-a girl in white
robes, with golden hair all about heI
shoulders, who rang her hands and cried
"Oh, wake up, you are wanted at the
cross roads,
This time 1 started out of bed, bathed
in cold perspiration. trembled like
leaf l had no doubt that | had re.
ceived supernatural war ming.
''Ben," ! cried, ''Ben, for the third
time / have been told that I am vanta6