The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-06-12
Wanted at the Cross Roads.


was in hurry to reach home. No
wonder, for it was the Widest night l had
ever known in my life, aud the country
road over which | took my way as bad, and
as dark as country roads in general.
Consequently | was walking at a great
rate, with the collar of rough coat over
my ears, and a comforter tied over my soft
hat aud under my chin, to keep it On and
to protect my ears, when suddenly q man
stood full in my path, and caught me by
the arm. fe Hs .~r
'HaIlo!" said he. "You' re just in time;
you are wanted at the Cross Roads to-
night. .avnr n7 ss
The voice was the voice of a rufian. ~
/ tancied myself attacked by highway
man. @ - f,,aa ts .is.t
l stood quite still, and stroye to show him
by my manner that was able to protect
myself. a :. a.g
What the deuce am I wanted at the
Cross Roads for 2" said /. Unless l
choose, it would be a hard matter to get me
there
But, instead of producing pistol and de-
handing my money or life, the man ans
swered In an altered tone.
beg pardon! made a mistake. |
thought it was my brother, and wanted to
frighten him. Bad night, SIR
Very p said |. 900.
''You don't know the time ?" he asked.
"1t was seven when left the train at
e." said. 4itc ef 4g
Thank ye, said the man. Good
night" -. t
If his object had been robbery, probably
he had decided, from my rough mufflers,
that was too poor man to be worth the
trouble. 7galg - me ~ s,-
But after |, l said, probably he spoke
the truth. A man may have such voice
without being a highwayman, no doubt.
So went on homeward, and soon found
myself under shelter, and partaking Of a
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
tor miles around, if it came to wrestling or
boxing, and as good humored boy as ever
lived; a boy always to his mother and
l, though he had exercised his right
to vote already in one Presidential cleo
ton.
When supper was over and We had chat
ted tor an hour. we went up stairs together.
We share one room. 44e
/ The moment Bens head touched the
pillow he always went to sleep. That
night / followed his example. g.
But did not sleep long withouta dream
"a dream in which felt a rough grip on
my arm and was reused by crying in my
ear
Wake upl you're wanted at the Gross
Roads"
1t was so real. so palpable, that when /
started broad awake actually believed that
some one was in the room-the man who
had met me on the road, perhaps, and who
intended robbery or violence. But when
had lit my lamp the room was empty, ex
cept myself and Ben, lying snoring on his
pillow.
l went to the door; it was locked |
went to the window !; the rush of rain
against the panes was all heard. even
went across the passage to my mothers
room. She was awake. There had been
no unusual sound, she was sure. $3.50
Only dream born of my meeting with
the strange man upon the road l felt sure
had awakened me. | went to bed and fell
asleep again.. Again was awakened by
the same worGs-this time shrieked in my
ear by an unearthly voice.
Wake up wake up! You're wanted
q
was on my feet once more, and caught
Ben's hand as he came to my bed.
What ais you ?" he cried '''o
Nothing, " / replied. did you hear
Voice :" .e
Yours" said Ben, yelling wake up. ;
You fairly frightened me"
Ben" said I, wait until light the
lamp. | heard another voice. There must
he some one in the house or outside.
So we lit the lamp, and we searched, but
in vain. T
Nightmare" said Ben, when 1 told
him my story.
Ben said I. ''what is there at the
Cross Roads?"i a @ -
"A house, said Ben. He had lived in
the neighborhood q long while, and / but .
short time.
''One little house, besides two oak trees
and . fence. An old man lives there, a
rich old fellow, and bit of miser they
say. His granddaughter keeps house for
him" c s1ut ri
'Ben," said /, that fellow may have
meant harm to them | may be wanted at
the Cross Roads
Bother" said Ben Ego to sleep. You
had nightmare aud Ben plunged in
between the blankets and was soon snoring
again.
also in ten minutes was sleeping sound
~ as before, but the awakening quickly
came again.
Iopened my eyes to see girl standins
at the loot cf the bed. "A girl ID white