Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-04-15
Se1etted Story.
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, and the country
over which took my way as bad as coun-
try roads in general Consequently was
walking at great rate, with the collar of
my rough coat over my ears, and COM
forter tied over my soft hat and under my
chin to keep it on and to protect my ears,
when suddenly a man stood full in my
path and caught me by the arm.
'Hullo? 2 said he, you're just in time !;
you are wanted at the cross roads to-
night!'
The voice was the voice of rufian.
fancied myself attacked by highway
man. stood quite still and strove and
strove to show him by my manner that 1
was able to protect myself.
What the duce am I wanted at the
cross roads for? said I. Unless | choose
it will 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 I made mistake. l
thought it was my brother, and wanted
to frighten him. Bad night SIR
You don't know the time, sir, he ask
ed.
1t was seven when l left the train at
L. said.
Thank ye, SIR said the man. Good
night
Good night said I.
If his object had been robbery, proba-
bly, he had decided from my rough ap-
pearance that I was too poor man to be
worth the trouble. But after all. thought
probably he spoke the truth. A man may
have such voice without being high
wayman, no doubt. So went homeward,
and soon found myself under shelter, and
partaking of warm and savory supper.
My mother was there and my brother
Ben. Ben was 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 boy as
ever lived boy always good to mother
and though he had exercised his right
to vote already at Presidential election.
When supper was over, and we had chat
ted for an hour, we went up stairs togeth-
er. We share one room together. The
moment Ben's head touched the pillow he
always went to sleep. That night I fol-
lowed his example. But did not sleep
long without dream-a dream in which
I felt rough grip on my arm and was
aroused by cry in my ears:
wake up! You are wanted at the
cross roads
It was so real, SO palpable. that when I
started broad awake I actually believed
that some one was in the room-the man
who intended robbery or violence. But
when I had arisen and lit my lamp, the
room was empty, except myself and Ben,
who lay snoring on his pillow.
I went to the door; the rush of rain
against the panes was all l 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, felt had AVA
kened me- went to bed and fell asleep
again. Again was awakened by the
same words this time shrieked in my ears
by an unearthly Wake up! wake up!
You are wanted at the cross roads,
I was on my feet once more and caught
Ben's hand as he came over towards my
bed.
What ails you |? he cried.
Nothing said I. Did you hear a
voice.
Yours said Ben; your yelling woke
me up; you fairly frightened me-
Ben, said l, wait till ] light lamp;