Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-06-18
.Obiio Statesman,
WANTED AT THE CROSS ROADS.

had ever known in all my life, and the
country over which I took my way as
bad and dark as country roads in gen.
eral. 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
suddenly 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
to-night!" 10 ssa
The voice was the voice Of a ruffian
fancied myself attacked by high
wayman.
stood quite still, and strove to show
him by my manner that was able to
protect myself.
What the deuce am wanted at the
cross roads for" said I. Unless ]
choose, it would be a very hard matter
to get me there"
But instead of producing pistol and
demanding my money or my life, the
man answered in an altered tone.
"Beg pardon. ] made mistake.
thought it was my brother. and wanted
to frighten him. Bad night, sir.''
."Very," said 1. bsssIa8 aor o.
"You don't know the time, sir2" he
asked. aa. org 'E1
at was seven when I left the train al
L." said.
"Thank ye, sir" said the man. "Good
night" 04-
"Good night" said 1.
If his object had been robbery. prob.
ably he had decided from my rough ap
pearance that was too poor man to BE-
worth the trouble. -,1,s.s.l
But after all, 1 thought. probably he
spoke the truth. A man may have such
voice without being highwayman, no
doubt.
So I went on homeward, and soon
found myself under shelter, and par.
taking 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 a boy as
ever lived; boy always to mother and
1, though he had exercised his right to
vote already in one Presidential elec-
ton.
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 l followed his example.
But I did not sleep long without a
dream-a dream which felt rough grir
ON my arm, and was reused by cry in
my ear:
awake upl You're wanted at the
cross roads----." gTa
1t was so real, SO palpable, that when
I started broad awake l actually believ.
ed that some one was in the room; the
man who had met me on the road per.
haps, and who intended robbery or vic.
lence. But when I had risen, and lit my
lamp, the room was empty, except my
self 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 panes was all 1 heard.
even 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, I felt hat
awakened me. l went to bed and fell
asleep again. Again 1 was awakened
-, IL. ,,,o.Js- +b;s t;,,. 81, -; al, ~ I g,
my ear by an unearthly voice.
Awake up, wake up. You are want
ed at the cross roads, .,sasel
1 was on my feet once more, and
caught Ben's hand as he came over to
ward my bed. as4 4s-a'
"What ails you2' he cried.
Nothing" said 1. "Did you hear &
voice?'' r .s-- 2
"Yours," said Ben, "yelling wake
up; you fairly frightened me-"
."Ben,". said l, "wait till l light the
lamp; 1 heard another voice. There
must be some one in the house, or out
side" @ b. -
So I again lit the lamp, but we
searched in vain.
"Nightmare," said Ben, when L tolc
him my story. -oi1 ~. 20 li45iT@s &
"Ben," said I, "what is there at tn,
cross roadsl'' .4.l5 --.efsa-.
ga house," said Ben. He had LIVED
in the neighborhood a long while, and
not long.
sons little house, besides two oak
trees and fence. An old man lives
there-a rich man, and bit of miser
they say. His granddaughter keeps
house for him."
"Ben, that fellow may have mean
harm to them. 1 may be wanted at the
cross roads," ..--.-.s.-.-..-... ...... .-
Brother" said Ben, I" go to sleep
You had 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 soon cam,
again. s....-..
opened my eyes to see girl stand
ing at the foot of my bed. A girl il
white robes, with golden hair all abou
her shoulders, who rung her hands ant
cried, "Oh wake up, you are wanted al
the cross roads," sa-7.
This time I started out of bed, bathet
in cold perspiration. trembled ik,
leaf I had no doubt that 1 had re
ceived supernatural warning.
"Ben," cried, "Ben. for the thirt
time have been told that 1 am wanted
at the cross roads, and am going"
And 1 began to dress myself as speed
lily as possible, listening the while to tn,
storm raging wilder and wilder than a
any other period since its commence
ment. tr q.
Ben demonstrated with me in vain
At last he also began to huddle on hi'
clothes. eat-