The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1868-07-09
Wanted at the Cross Roads,

| was in hurry to reach home. NJ
wonder, for it was the widest night hat
lever known in all my life, and the country
lover which took my way as bad as darI
las country roads in general Consequent
lyIWas walking at a great, rate with the col
lar OF my rough coat over my ears, and s
comforter tied over my soft hat and under
my chln, to keep it on, and to protect my
ears, when suddenly man stood full il
my path and caught me by the arm.
"Hullo! said he, you're just in time
you are wanted at the cross roads to-nightp
The voice was the voice of ruffian.
Iancled myself attacked by a highway.
man e97e '-'-l
lstood quite still, and strove to show
nm by manner that l was able to protect
myself ''
'"What the deuce am l wanted at tile
cross roads for?" said |. "Unless / choose
&c Wa.id be very hard matter to get me
there
But instead Of producing my pistol and
demantlipg my money or my life, the man
answered in an altered tone.
"Beg pardon made a mistake. |
thoughtld was my brother, and wanted
to frighten him. Bad night, sir"
VERY" said l.
"You don't know the time sir ?" he
asked
at was seven when l left the train at
L" l said.
Thank We, sir, said the man. "Good
night
"Good night" said l.
Ii his object had been robbery, probably
he had decided from my rough appear
ance that was too poor man to be
worth the trouble.
But after all, l thought probably he
spoke the truth A man NAV have such
a voice without being highwayman, no
doubt
SO l went on homewardand soon found
myself under shelter, and partaking of a
warn and savory supper.
~ mother was there and nv brother
Ben Ben was great strapping fellow
who could beat any other boy of his age
for miles around, if it came to wrestling
Ior boxing, and as good humored a boy as
ever lived; 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 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 a
dream-a dream in which felt rough
grip on my arm, and was ~ Used by cry
in my ears
Wake up You're wanted at the cross
roads"
+ 1t was so real, 50 palpable, that when ]
! started broad awake | actually believed
that some one was in the room the man
who had met me in the road perhaps, and
who intended robbery or violence. But
when | had arisen, and lit my lamp the
room was empty, except myself and Ben
Who lay snoring on his pillow
| 1 went to the door it was locked. ]
went to the window; the rush of rain
against the panes wasall l heard. l ever
went across the passage to my mothers
room. She was awake there had beer
no unusual sound she was sure.
Only dream born of my meeting the
strange man in the road, | felt it had
awakened me. l went to bed and fell
asleep again. Again was awakened BY
the same words. this time shrieked in my
car by an unearthly voice
"Wake up, wake up. You are wanted
at the cross roads,
was on my feet once more, and caught
Bens hand as he came over toward my
bed.
"What ais your" he cried. ..
IN othing, said I. did you hear {
voice."
'"Yours," said Ben, yelling wake up
you fairly frightened me-"
Ben, said |, wait till light lamp
II heard another voice. There must b
some one in the house or outside"
50 | again lit the lamp, but we searched
in vain.
"Nightmare," said Ben, when l tolc
him my story
Ben" said I, what is there at tn
icross roads?'
"a house" said Ben. He had lived il
the neighb5rhood a long while and 1 no
long,
zone little house, besides two oak tree
and fence. An old man lives there /,
rich man, and bit Of a miser they say
His granddaughter keeps house for him
'Ben," that fellow may have mean
harm to them. l may be wanted at tn
cross roads"
"Brother," said Ben, 60 to sleep. Yol
had nightmare" and Ben plunged il
between the blankets and was sooi
snoring again. ~
! also, in ten msnutes, slept as soundlJ
las before, but the awakening soon came
again. Ho
I opened my eyes to see a girl standing
lat the foot of my bed. A girl in white
robes, with golden hair all about hel
shonlders,who wrung her hands and cried
i"Oh wake up, you are wanted at the eros:
roads.
This time l started out Of bed, bathed
Tina Geld Perspiration, trembled like a
Ileaf / had no doubt that had received
supernatural warning.
''Ben, | cried, "Ben, for the third time
have been told that l am wanted at the
cross roads, and am going"
/, And began to dress myself asspeedily
as possible, listening the while to the
storm raging wilder and wilder than al
any other period since its commencement
Ben demonstrated with me in vain
At last he also began to huddle ON his
clothes.
IF you have gone mad must go with
YOU and take care of you" he said.
@But fancy another man going out in a
storm ike this to the cross roads, because
la nightmare caused him to do SO, and
l-I,t 1t-o17l6 x-o,1 think IF him 90 tlss-Hf