The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-12-04
You'll give me a light and bottle

You il give me ilgnt ana bottle
of wine and book to read?'
Nothing
Are these all the conditions you Of
fer me, Barbara.
'AH. And if you are frightened,
you need never look me in the face a
gain
So Barney was conducted to his post
by the lad, who had been instruc-
ted into the secret, and whose in
voluntary 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 in the darkness, the rats and
the coffin.
Soon after, young Fritz the tanner
arrived, fattered and hopeful, from the
fact that Barbara had sent for him.
Have you changed your mind, Bar
bara - he asked.
No; aud / shall notuntil know if
you can doa really brave thing
What shall it be? | swear to satisfy
you. Barbara.
4 have proposal tonfake to you
My plan requires skill as we'll as cour-
age
Tel mer
Well, in this house there is a man
wa:chiug a corpse. He is sworn not to
leave his post till morning. Ifyou can
make him do it, l shall be satisfied
that you are as smart and as brave as
| require a husband TO be
Why nothing is 50 easy exclaimed
Fritz. lean scare him away. Furu-
ish me with a sheet, show me the room
and 70 to your rest, Barbara. You
shall find me at the post in the morn
ing
Barbara did a. required, and saw the
tanner step lightly away to his task.
# was then nearly twelve o'clock, and
she sought her own chamber.
Barney was sitting at MS vigil and SO
far all had been well. The night SEEM
ed very long, for he had no means of
counting the time. At times a thrill
went through him, for it seemed as if
he could hear low suppressed breath
ing not far away; persuaded himself
that il was the wind blowing through
the rrcvices Of the old house. Still it
was very lonely and not at all cheer
fui,
The face in the coffin cleaned white
still. liberals squeakelas if there was
famine upon them and they smeIled
the dead flesh. The thought made him
shudder. He got up and walked about
but something madea slight noise be-
hind him, and he put his chair with
his back against the wall and sat
down again. He had been at work all
day, and at last grew sleepy, Finally
he nodded and snored.
Suddenly it seemed as if somebody
touched him. He awoke with start
and saw nobody near, though in the
centre OF the room sgs.stt "A white fig
ure.
Curse you gel out Of this" be ex-
claimed in alright, using the first
words that came to his tongue.
The figure held out his right arm
and slowly approached him. He star
ted to hi, feet. The spectre came near
er, pressing into the corner.
The mischief take youn cried Bar
ney ia his extremity.
Involuntary he stepped back; still
the figure advanced, coming nearer and
nearer as if To take him in a ghostly
embrace. The hair started up on Bar
uey', head he grew desperate and just
"a the glcaning arm would have
touched him, he fell on the ghost like
a whirIwind. tearing the sheet, thum-
ping, pounding, beating and kicking,
more ard more enraged at the resi>-
tauce he met, which told the truth.
As the readers know, he was big and
Fritz was little; and while he was pun
melting the lisI!a fellow terribly, aud
Fritz WAS trying to geta lunge at Bar
ney's stomach, to take the wind out OF
him, both kicking and plunging like
horses, they were petrified by hearing
a voice cry:
Take one of your size, big Barney =
Looking around they saw the corpse
sitting up In his coffin. This was too
much. They released each other and
sprang for the door. They never knew
how they got ont; but they got home
in hot haste, painting like stays.
1t was Barbara herself who came and
opened the door next morning.
Its very early ; one more little nap,
Grid hc, 'one more little nap turning
in his coffin.
So She married him, though she sent
Fritz and Barney invitations to the
wedding, they did not appear. Ifthry
discovered the trick, they kept the
knowledge to themselves, and never
willingly faced Barbara's laughing
eyes.
=--zzz-~z-va-.~--zHHz Hzz-~aa-a-s~s-@r@
4 ssCT,Trr-T,'' WITH L,SG The Patnr