The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-06-10
WANTED LAT THE CROSS.
IN 9.,.y.Jrai ROADS. U... IL.
A Wild and Thrilling Story.

A Wild and Thrilling Story.
Twas in a hurry to reach home. M
wonder, for it was the widest night
had ever known in my life, and tn
country over which / took my way a.
bad as country roads in general Con
sequeAtly was walking at great rate
with the collar of my rough coat owe
my ears, and a comforter tied over my
soft hat and under my chin to keep i
on, and to protect my ears, when sud
denly man stood full in my path an(
caught me by the arm. 4 r 3.a
lQG"Hallo " said he, "you're just il
time; you are wanted at the cross
roads to-night!' - .,.- ".. 81.
The voice was the voice of a ruliian
fancied myself attacked by high
wayman. I stood quite still, an'
strove to show him by my manner tha
was able to protect myself.
"What the deuce am ! wanted q
the cross roads to night for?" sald |
"Unless choose, it will be a very hare
matter to get me there" at
But instead of producing a pisto
and demanding my money or my life
the man answered in an altered tone
"Beg pardon, made mistake.
thought it was my brothe, and wanted
to frighten him. Bad night, sir
"You don't know the time, sir?" ht
asked.
"lt was seven when I left the trail
at l. said l.
"Thank you, sir" said the man
Coed night
"Cood-night," said I.
If his object had been robbery
probably he had decided from my
rough appearance that ! was too poor
a man to be worth the trouble. But
after all, l thought probably he spoke
the truth. A man may have such a
voice without being a highwayman, no
doubt. So | went homeward, and
soon found myself under shelter, and
partaking of a 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 Tor
miles around, if it came to wrestling or
boxing, and as good humored u boy
as ever lived-a boy always good to
mother and me, though he had ex-
erciscd his right to vote already at u
Presidential election. When supper
was over, and we had clatted for an
hour, We went up stairs together. The
moment Ben's head touched the pillow
he always went to sleep. That night |
followed his example. But I did not
sleep long without a ,lream-a dream
in which ! felt rough grip on my arm,
and was aroused by cry in my ears ::
"Walc up! You are wanted at the
cross roads,
II was 50 real, SO palpablc, that
when 1 started broad awake, actually
believed that some one was in my
room, the man who intended robbery
or violence. But when l had arisen
and lit the lamp, the room was empty,
except myself and Ben, who lay snoring
on his pillow.
Invent 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 F.!
There had been no unusual sound, she
was sure.
Only 4 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 shrieket
in my ears by an unearthly
"Wakc up! wake up! You arc
wanted at the cross roads"
| was on my feet once more, and
caught Bens hand as he came over
toward my bed.
"What ails you?" lie cried.
Nothing" said l. "Did you hear q
voice ?"
yours" said Ben; "your yelling
woke me up; you fairly frightened me-
"Ben," said I, swat till / light q
lamp; l heard another voice. There
must be some one in the house or out.
sidc."
So I again lit the lamp, but We
searched in vain.
Nightmare" said Ben, when l tolG
my story.
"Ben," said l, "where is that cross
roads p
"a house," said Ben. He had lived
in the neighborhood long while, ant
I not long.
lone little house beside two oal
trees and fence. An old man lives
there-a rich man, aud u bit of miser