The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1868-11-20
Wanted at the Cross Reads.

country over which took my way as
bad and dark as country roads in general
Consequently, was walking at great
rate, with the collar of my rough coat
over my cars, and comforter tied over
my soft hat and under my chin to keep
it on and protect my ears, whom sud
IDENTITY man stood full in my path and
caught me by the arm.
"iIalloa y said he, "yau're just in
time; You are wanted at the cross roads
Tonight"
The voico was the voice of rufian.
fsiicied myself attacked by high
wayman. l stood quite still and strove
tn show him by my manner that | was
able to protect myself.
'.Wlist tho deuce am I wanted at the
cross roads for?' said |. "Unless |
choose it would be 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 | want
cd TO frishten him. Bad night, sir.
Very" said |.
lyon don't know the time, sirW he
asked.
ut was seven when | left the train at
=" said I.
FLANK ye, sir" said the man.
Good night" said |.
If his object had been robbery, prob
ably he had decided from my rongh APP
pearancc that was too poor man te
be worth the trouble.
Bntafter all thought, probably he
bad spoke the ruth. ~ man may have
such voice without being highway
nan, no doubt.
SO l went on homeward, and soon
found myself under shelter, and parta
Wing of warm and savory supper.
My mother was there and nay broth
er Ben. Ben was a great strapping fell
low who could beat any other boy Of his
age formiIes around, if it came to wrest-
lag or boxing, and as good humored a
boy as ever lived--a boy always to
mother and me, though he had exercised
his ri ,ght to vote already in one Prcsi-
Dental election.
The moments. Bcn's head touched the
pillow he always went to sleep. That
night followed his example.
But / did mot sieea tong without a
lteam--a dream in which felt ar"ugh
grip on my arm, and was aroused by a
Try in my ears
Wake up! You are wanted at the
cross roads"
1t was 50 real so palpablc, that when
| starred broad awake actually be-
! ievcd that some one was in the room :
the man who bad met me on the road
perhaps, and who intended robbery or
violence. But when | had arisen and
lit my lamp, the room was empty, ex-
cep' myself and Ben, who lay snoring
on his pillow.
| won't to the door; it was ked.-
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 M unusual sound she was sure.
Oily dream born of my meeting
the strange man in the road, felt had
awakened me. went to bed and fell
asleep again. Again was awakened
by the same words, this time shrieked in
my ear by an uncarthly voice.
wake up, wake up. You are want
| ed at the cross roads"
was on my feet once more, and
caught Ben's hand as he came over TO-
ward my bed.
"What ails you ?" he cried.
'Nofhing." said |. Did you hear a
voice ?"
yours" said Ben, ~ cling wake up,
you fairly frightened me-"
Ben said |, swat till | light the
lamp | heard another voice. There
must be some one in the house or out
side"
SO IagaIn lit the lamp, but we search
ed in vain.
nightmare" SAID ben whcn L told
him my story.
Ben" said l, "what is there at the
cross roads ~
"a house," said Ben. He had lived
in the ncighborhood long while, and
not long.
Zone little house, besides two oak
trees, and fence. An old man lives
tbcre-a rich man, and bit of a mser;
they say. His granddaughter keeps
house for him"
''Ben, that fellow may have meant
harm to them. l may be wanted at the
cross roads,"
Brother" said Ben, Ego to sleep
You had nightmare" and Ben plung-
ed in between the blankets, and was
..o<z,, cnar;ner