Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-10-01
MTSCELLANY.
Wanted at the Cross Roads.

I was in hurry to reach home No Won
der. for it was the widest night l bad ever
known in all my life, and the country over
which l took my way as bad as country roads
in general. Consequently was walking at a
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 suddenlya man stood
full in my path and caught me by the arm.
"Hullo" said he, You're just in time
you are wanted at the cross roads tonight"
The voice was the voice Of rufian.
fancied myself attacked by highway
man. stood quite still, and strove to show
him by my manner that was able to protect
myself.
"What the deuce am l wanted at the cross
roads for?" said l. "Unless I choose it will
be a very hard matter to get me there"
But instead Of producing pistol and de-
manding my money or ny life, the man an
swered in an altered tone.
Beg pardon made mistake. I thought
it was my brother, and wanted to frighton
him Bad night, sir"
Very" said I.
''You don't know the time, sir?" he asked.
alt was seven when left the train at L."
said.
"Thank yc, sir" said the man. GOOD
night"
Good night" said I.
If his object had been robbery, probably
lie had decided from my rough appearance
that was too poor a man to be worth the
trouble. But after all, l thought, probably
he spoke the truth. 4 man may have such a
voice without 6elug Lighwayman, no doubt
So | went homeward, and soon found myself
under shelter, and taking of warm and sayory
supper.
Ny mother was there and my brother Ben.
Ben was a great s.rappiug fellow who could
beat any other boy of his age for miles around,
if it came to wrestling or boxing, and as good
humored a boy as ever lived boy always to
mother and |, though he had exercised bis
right to vote already in one Presidential cleo
ton. When supper was over and we had
chatted for an hour, we went up stairs together.
We share one room together. The moment
Ben's head touched the pillow he always went
to sleep. That night / followed his example.
But did not sleep long without dream-a
dream in which felt a rough grip on my arm,
and was aroused by cry in my ears
Wake up! You are wanted at the cross
roads"
1t was so real so palpabe, that when |
started broad awake actually believed that
some one was in the room; the man who in
tended bbbery or violence But when had
arisen, and lit my lamp, room was empty, eX-
cept myself and Ben, who lay snoring on his
pillow.
went to the door it was locked. | went
to the window; the rush Of rain against the
pancs 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 the
strange man in the road, felt, had awakened
me. l went to bed and fell asleep again
Again was awakened by the same words
this time shriekod in my car by an unearthly
voice.
d" 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 over toward my bed.
d" What sils you u?' he cried,
Nothing, saidI. did you hear voice?'
Yours" said Ben, yelling woke me up
you fairly frightened me"
Ben, said I, wait till light a lamp ]
heard another voice. There must be some one
in ,he house or outside"
So I again lit the lamp, but we searched in
vain.
Nightmare" said Ben, when I told him my
story.
Ben, said I, "what i, there at the cross
roads ?"
A house" said Ben. Helived in the neigh
borhood a long while, and not long.
cone little house, besides two oak trees and
. ferce. An cid man lives there-a rich man,
! and bit Of a miser they say. lis. grand
daughter keeps house for him."
"Ben, that fellow may have meant harm to
them. may be wanted at the cross roads
Brother" said Ben, 60 to sleep. You
had nightmare" and Ben plunged in between
tho blankets, and was snoring again.
also. in ten minutes, slept as soundly as
before, but the awakening soon came again.
opened my eyes to sec girl standing at
the foot of my bed. A girl in white robes,
with golden hair all about her shoulders, who
- Lo,Iz opd criei - Oh wake ND.