Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-12-08
THREE BRAVE MEN.


mother was in CONSERVATION. sio
why are you stubborn Barbara?' she
asked. You have plenty of lovers"
''But they do not suit, j." said Barbara, coolly
tying back her curls before the mirror.
"Why not?''
Il want to marry man who is brave, equal
to any emergency. If give up my liberty, l
want it taken care of u
''Silly child what is the matter with Big
Barney, the blacksmith p
He is big, but never heard that he was
brave"
"And you never heard that be was not
What is the matter with Ernest, the gun
smith p
He is placid as goats milk"
That is no sign that he is coward. There
is little Fritz, the tanner: he is quarrelsome
enough for you, surely !"
He is no bigger than bantam cock. 1t is
little good he can do, if the house was set upon
by robbers
1t is not always strength that wins fight,
girl, it takes brains as we'll as Drawn. Come,
now, Barbara, give these three young fellows
fair trial."
Barbara turned her face before the mirror,
letting down one raven tress and looping up
another.
II will, mother" she said at last.
That evening, Ernest, the gunsmith, knocked
at the door,
'You sent for me, Barbara p he said, going
to the girl, who stood upon the hearth coquet
tishy warming one pretty foot and then the
other.
''Yes, Ernest" she replied, "I've been
thinking on what you said the other night when
you were here.
WELL Barbara?''
Ernest spoke quietly, but his dark blue eyes
flashed, and he looked at her intently.
II want to test you.
"How?''
II want to see if you dare to do very dis
agreeable thing
tWhat is it?'
There is an old coffin up stairs, 1t smells
mouldy. They say Redmond, the murderer,
was buried in it; but the devil came for his
body and left the coffin empty at the end Of a
week and it was finally taken from the tomb.
1t is up stairs in the room grandfather died in,
and they say grandsire does not rest easy in his
grave for some reasons, though that l know
nothing about Dare you make that coffin
your bed to-night?'
Ernest laughed
us that all? will do that and sleep sound
ly. Why, pretty one, did you think | had weak
nerves?'
Your nerves will have good proof if you
wing of the house.
Il shall sleep the sounder."
Good night, then. / will send you lad to
show you the chamber IF you stay till morn
ing," said imperious Miss Barbara, with nod
of her pretty head, ''Ill marry you.
You VOW it p
Ernest turned straight away and followed the
lad in waiting through dim rooms and passa-
ges up echoing stairs along narrow damp
ways, where rats scuttled before to low cham
ber The lad looked pale and scared, and evil
dently wanted to hurry away, but Ernest made
him wait till he took a survey by the aid OF bis
lamp. 1t was very large and full OF recesses,
which had been barred across. He remem>
bered that old grandsire Ferros had been insane
several years before his death, so that this pre-
caution had been necessary for the safety of
himself and others. In the centre OF the room
stood coffin, beside it was placed chair -
The room was otherwise perfectly empty.
Ernest stretched himself out in the coffin.
s'Be kind enough to tell Miss Barbara 1t Is a
very good fit, he said.
The lad went out and shut the door, leaving
the young guns,nith alone in the dark.
Meanwhile, Barbara was talking with the
big blacksmith in the sitting room.
Barney said she, pulling her hand away
from his grasp, when he would have kissed her,
I've test to put you to before give you any
answer There is a corpse lying In the cham,
wing of the house. If you dare sit with it all
night and let nothing drive you away from your
post YOU will not ask me again In vain.
You'll give me light and bottle of wine
and book to read p
Nothing
Are these all the conditions you offer me,
Barbara"
'All. And if you are frightened, you need
never look me in the face again.
So Barney was conducted to his post by the
lad who had been instructed into the secret,
and whose involuntary start at Ernest s placid
face as he lay in the coffin, was attributed by
Barney to the natural awe OF corpse. he
took his seat and the boy left him alone in the
darkness, the rats and the coffin.
Soon after, young Fritz, the tanner arrived,
Hattered and hopeful, from the fact that Bar
bara had sent for him. ,,
''Have you changed your mind, Barbara p
he asked.
can do really brave thing.
"What hall it be? l swear to satisfy you,
Barbara
Il have proposal to make to you. My
plan requires skill as well as courage"
Tell me
Nv ell, In this house Cnere IS man WatCii-
ing corpse He is sworn not to leave his
post till morning IF you can make him do it,
I shall be satisfied that you are as smart and
as brave as | require husband to be.
"Why nothing is so easyl" exclaimed Fritz.
II can scare him away. Furnish me with a
sheet, show me the room and 60 to your rest
Barbara You shall find me at the post In the
morning"
| Barbara did as required, and saw the tanner