The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-06-06
Wanted at the CROSSROADS

was IN hurry tO TedCu uono' No
wonder, for it was the widest night l
had ever known in all my life, and the
country road over which took my way
as bad and as dark as country roads in
general. Consequently / was walking
at a great rate, with the collar OF
rough coat over my ears, and comfort
er tied over my soft hat and under my
chin to keep it on and to protect my
ears, when suddenly a man stood full
in my path, and caught me by the arm.
"Haile!" said he. you're just in
time; Won are wanted at the Crossroads
tonight"
The voice was the voice of ruffian.
| fancied myself attacked by O high
wayman.
stood quite still, and strove to show
him by my manner that l was able to
protect myself.
"What the deuce am wanted at the
Crossroads for 7" said /. "Unless l
chose, it would be hard to get me
there"
But. instead of producing pistol and
demanding my money or life, the man
answered in an altered tone.
"Beg pardsn! made a mistake.
thought it was my brother, and wanted
to frighten him. Bad night, sir"
"Veryw said l.
"You don't know the timer he
asked.
at was seven when l left the train at
L-"I said.
"Thank ye," said the man. GOOD
nightw
If his object had been robbery, pro-
bably he had decided, from my rough
muflers, that was too poor man to be
worth the trouble.
But after all, said, probably he spoke
the truth. A man may have such a
voice, without being a highwayman, no
doubt.
So | went on homeward, and soon
found myself under shelter, and parta-
king of q warm and savOry supper.
Nv 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 lived; boy always good to his
mother, and thought he had exercised
his right to vote already in one Presi-
Dental election. ,
When supper was over and we had
chatted for an hour, we went upstairs
together. We shared one room.
The moment Ben's head touched the
pillow he always went to sleep. That
night / followed his example.
But l did not sleep long without q
dream-a dream in which / felt rough
grip on nv arm aud was reused by
crying in my ear.
awake up! you're wanted at the
Cross s-roads-"
1t was SO real, so palpable, that when
| started broad awake l actually believ-
ed 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 had lit my lamp
the room was empty, myself and Ben,
lying snoring on his pillow.
went to the door; it was locked. |
went to the window; the rush of rain
against the panes was all heard. l
even went across the passage to my
mothers room. She was awake; there
had been no unusual sound, she was
sure.
Only a dream born of my meeting
with the strange man upon the road l
felt sure had awakened me. / went to
he'd 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're wanted
at the Crossroads"
| was on my feet once more, and
caught Ben's hand as he came to my
bed.
"What ails you 7" he cried.
Nothing" I replied, "Did you hear q
voice 7"
"Yours," said Ben, yelling, wake
up You fairly frightened me-"
'"Ben," said l, "wait until light the
lamp. | heard another voice. There
must be some one in the house or out
side."
So lit the lamp, and we searched, but
in vain.
Nightmare" said Ben. when l told
him my story.
"Ben," said /, "what is there at the
Crossroads n
"a house." said Ben. He had lived in
the neighborhood a long while, and l
not long.
"One little house, besides two oak
trees and o fence. An old man lives
there, rich old fellow, and bit of a
miser they say. His granddaughter
keeps hsuse for him."
"Ben," said l, THAT fellow may have
meant harm to them. may be wanted
at the Crossroads"
Brother said Ben, Ego to sleep.
You had q northumberland Ben
plunged in between the blankets and
was soon snoring again.
| also in ten minutes slept soundly as
before, but the awaking came again.
opened my eyes to see a young girl
standing at the foot of my bed. A girl
in white robes with golden hair all
about her shoulder, who wrung hel
hands and cried, "Oh, wake up you are
wanted at the Cross-roads.n
This time started out of bed, bathed
in a cold perspiration. 1trembled like q
leaf, and had no doubt but thai had
received supernatural warning.
"Ben," I cried, "Ben, for the third
time have been told that am wanted
at the Crossroads and am going"
And ] began to dress myself speedily
as possible, listening meanwhile to the
storm, raging madder and wilder thar
at any other period since its commence
ment.
Ben demonstrated with me in vain
At last he also began to huddle on hi!
clothes. --lbtH F
eff you have gone mad, must gC
with yen and take care of you,' b
ssid. a-s. sars.,s
"But fancy another man going in /;
storm like this to the Crossroads, be
cause . nightmare advises him to do 50
and what would You think Of him :"