Smyrna times., 1869-02-24
MiSceIIU 10 e OW us.
WANTED AT THE CROSS ROADS.

was IN q hurry TO reacn nome. NO wonder,
for it was the widest night had ever known
In all my he, and the country over which
took my way as bad as country roads in gener-
ell. Consequently l was walking at great
rate, with the collar of my rough coat over my
ears, and a comforter 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?" said he, You re just in time you
are wanted at the cross roads tonight"
The voice was the voice of ruf6an.
| fancied myself attacked by highwayman
L stood quite still and strove and strove to show
him by my manner that | was able to protect
myself:
"What the duce am | wanted at the cross
roads for?'' said |. ''Unless choose it will be
a very hard matter to get me there"
But instead Of producing pistol and de-
manding my money or my life, the man answer
ed in an altered tone:
beg pardon, made mistake. thought
it was my brother, and | wanted to frighten
him. Bad night, sir.
''You don't know the time, sir?'' he asked.
Z" 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, probably he
had decided from my rough appearance that [
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 highwayman, no doubt So l went
homeward, and soon found myself under shell
ter, and partaking of warm and savory sup
per.
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 a
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 chatted for an
hour, we went up stairs together. We share
touched the pillow he always went to sleep.
That night | followed his example. But did
not sleep long without dream-a dream in
which | felt rough grip on my arm and was
aroused by cry in my ears:
"Wake up! You are wanted at the cross
roads"
1t was so real, so palpable, that when star
ted broad awake | actually believed that some
one was in the room-the man who intended
robbery or violence. But when had arisen
and lit my lamp, the room was empty, except
myself and Ben, who lay snoring on his pillow.
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 pas
sage to my mother 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 awakened me.
went to bed and fell asleep again. Again
was awakened by the same words; this time
shrleked in my ear by an unearthly voice:
"Wake upl wake up! You are wanted a
the cross roads.
was on my feet once more and caught Ben'i
hand as he came over towards my bed.
"What ails your" he cried.
Nothing" said l. "Did you hear I
voice 2"
"Yours," said Ben; "your yelling woke m,
up you fairly frightened me-
}. > :" Ben said l, wait till light lamp
heard another voice. There must be some ont
in the house or outside"
So l again lit the lamp, but we searched il
+ vain.
Nightmare" said Ben, when 1 told hin
my story.
. Ben, said I, "what is there at the eros.
roads. ;"
+; "a house," said Ben. He had lived in tn
: neighborhood long while, and not long.
n Zone little house beside two oak trees an
fence. An old man lives there-a rich man
' and bit of miser, they say. His grand -daugh
It ter keeps house for him"
t Ben, that fellow may have meant harm
It them. may be wanted at the cross roads. :"
]. Brother" said Ben, "go to sleep. Yo
d had nightmare, and Ben plunged in betwee
:. the blankets, and was snoaring again.
d 1 also, in ten minutes, slept as sonndly as be
,e fore, but the awakening soon came again.
m | opened my eyes to see girl standing q
,o the foot of my bed. A girl in white robes
s with golden hair all about her shoulders, VIII
ce wrung her hands and cried: "Oh, wake VI
u you are wanted at the cross roads,"
Of This time / started out of bed, bathed in
cold perspiration. | trembled like Leaf
nSa had no doubt that had received supernatur
,o warning.
Rf RRft +" Ben" cried, "Ben, for the third time
a, have been told that | am wanted at the GRO
:. roads, and am going"
IS And began to dress myself as speedily
"a possible, listening the while to the storm ragir
lo- wilder than at any other period since its cor
ie. mencement.
:. Ben demonstrated with me in vain. AT Ia
~ he began to huddle on his clothes.
ss .sn "If you have gone mad l must 20 with y,
and take care of you, he said.