The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-12-04
THREE BRAVE MEN.

THREE BRAVE MEN.
Pretty Barbara Ferros would not
marry. Her mother was in consterna-
tiun.
why are you stubborn, Barbara -
she asked You have plenty Of low
era?
But they do not suit, said Barbara.
coolly tying back her curls before the
mirror.
Why not?'
i want to marry man who is brave,
equal TO any emergency. If l give up
my liberty, l want it taken care of
silly child what Is the matter with
Big Barney, the blacksmith
lie is big, but never heard that he
was brave
And you never heard that he was
not. What is the matter with Ernest,
the gun-snith"
lie is placid as woct's milk
That is no sign that ne is a coward.
There Is little Fritz, the tanner, he is
quarre.some enough for you, surelyn
lie is no bigger than bantam cock.
Ii Is little good he can do, if the house
was SET upon By robhers.'
1t Is not always strength that wins
a fight, girl, it takes brains as well as
Drawn. Come, now, Barbara, give
these three young fellows fair trial
Barbara turned her face before
the mirror, letting down one raven
fr,al ard Ionpin9 ~ another
i viii, mother -he said at last.
That evening, Ernest the guusmilh
knocked at the door.
You sent for the, Barbara he said,
going TO the girl, who stood upon the
hearth coquetJi>hlywarming one pretty
foot and then the other.
Yes, Ernest she replied, I've
been thinking on what you said the
+ Other night when you we're here
. We'll, Barbara
Ernest spoke quietly, but his dark
blugeye- flashed, and he looked at her
inteulIy.
/ i want to test you
How p
/ i want to see if you dare to do a
F very disagreeaole thing
'Whatis it
There Is an old coffin up stairs. 1t
smells mouIdy. They say Redmond
49, .... ........ .,-,. l.,ri,,I -, - Int ID a.,
devil came for his body and left the
coffin empty at the end of week I;
/ 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 l know nothing
. about it. Dare you make the coffin
lour bed to night?'
Ernest laughed.
Is that all? | will DO that and sleep
sjundIy. Why pretty one did you
thiak had weak nerves -
Your nerves will have good proof
If YOU undertake it. Remember, no
oae sleep, in that wing of the house
i shall sleep the sOunder.'
Good night, then. l will send you
a lad to show you the chamber. If
you stay till morning. said imperious
Miss Barbara, with a nod Of her pref
ty head, III marry you
You VOW it?'
Ernest turned straight away aud fol-
lowed the lad in waiting through dim
r0onis and passages, up echqing stairs,
along narrow damp ways, where rats
scutted before To a low chamber
The lad looked paie and scared, and
evidently wanted TO hurry away but
Ernest made him wait till he took sur
vey by the aid of his 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, 50 that this precaution had been
Necessary for the safety Of himself and
diners. In the centre Of the room
stood coffin, beside it was placed a
chair. The room was otherwise per-
fectiy empty
Ernest stretched himself out in the
coffin.
BE kind enough to tell Miss Barbara
it is a very good fit,' he said.
The lad went out and shut the door,
leaving the young gunsmith alone
i'm the dark.
Meanwhile, Barbara was talking
with the big blacksmith in the sitting
room.
Barney sal she pulling her hand
away from Ills grasp, when he would
have kissed her, 'I've test TO put you
to before ! give you any answer
There j. corpse lying in the chanIel
where my grandsire died, in the unite
nanted wing of the house. If YOU
dare lit with il all night and let moth
~ drive yOl away from YOUR posi-