Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-01-14

lamp. 1t was very large and full of re-
cesses which had been barred across. He
remembered that old grandsire Ferros had
been insane for several years before his
death, so that this precaution had been
necessary for the safety of himself and 9th
ers. In the center of the room was a
coffin, beside it chair was placed. The
room was otherwise perfectly empty.
Ernest stretched himself out in the cof-
! fin.
BE kind enough to tell Miss Barbara
that it is very good it. he said.
The lad went out and shut the door,
leaving the young guusmith alone III the
dark. Is.s
Meanwhile Barbara was talking with
the big blacksmith in the sitting room
Barney said she. pulling her hand
away from his grasp when he would have
kissed her, I've test to put you to be-
fore give you any answer. There is a
corpse lying in the chamber were my
grandfather died, in the untenanted wing
Of the house If you dare sit with it all
night and let nothing drive you away
from your post, you will not ask NE again
in vain.
You will give me light and bottle
of wine, and book to read, will you
not ? t..--
Nothing
Are these all the conditions you offer
ne, Barbara" s1 Trr
AN. And if you are frightened, you
need never look me in the face again.
So Barney was conducted to his post by
the lad, who had been instructed into
the secret, and whose involuntary start at
Ernest's placid face as he lay in the coffin,
was attributed by Barney to the natural
awe Of corpse. He took his seat and
the boy left him alone in the darkness, the
rats and the coffin. --
Soon after, young Fritz, the tanner ar
rived, fattered and hopeful. from the fact
that Barbara had sent for him.
Have you changed your mind, Bar
bara ? he asked.
No; and shall not until know that
you can do really brave thing
What shall it be? I swear to satisfy
you, Barbara. a-
I have proposal to make you. My
plan requires skill as we'll as courage
Tell me ? ..
We'll, in this house there is man
watching a corpse. He is sworn not to
leave his post till morning. If you can
make him do it, I shall be satisfied that
you are as smart and as brave as [ require
a husband to be-
why nothing is SO easy" exclaimed
Fritz. I can scare him away. Furnish
me with sheet, show me the room and
60 to your rest, Barbara. You shall find
me on post in the morning
Barbara did as required. and saw the
tanner step lightly away to his task. 1t
was then nearly twelve o'clock, and she
sought her own chamber.
Barney was sitting at his vigil and so
far all had been we'll. The night seemed
very long, for he had no means of count
ing the time. At times thrill went
through him, for it seemed as if he could
hear low suppressed breathing not far
away; persuaded himself that it was the
wind, blowing through the cresices of
the old house. Still it was very lonely
and not at all cheerful.
The face in the coffin cleaned white
still. The rats squeaked as if there was
a famine upon chem and they smelled the
dead flesh. The thought made him shud-
der. He got up and walked about but
something made slight noise behind him,
and he put his chair with the back against
the wall, and sat down again. He had
been at work all day, and at last grew
sleepy. Finally he nodded and snored.
Suddenly it seemed as if somebody had
touched him. He awoke with a start,
and saw nobody near, though in the cen
ter of the room stood white figure.
Curse you, get outof this ? he exclaim-
ed in alright, using the first words that
came to his tongue. way
The figure held out its right arm and
slowly approached him. He started to
his feet. The spectre came nearer, press
sing into the corner.
The mischief take you!' cried Barney
in his extremity. esa
Involuntarily he stepped back; still the
figure advanced coming nearer and nearer
as if to take him in ghostly embrace. -
The hair started up on Barney's head ;he
grew desperate and just as the cleaning
arm would have touched him, he fell ON
the ghost like whirlwind, tearing the
sheet, humping, pounding, beating and
kicking, more enraged at the resistance
he met, which told him the truth.
AS the readers know, he was big, and
7 Fritz was little; and while he was pun
melting the little fellow terribly, and
Fritz was trying to get lunge at Bar
news stomach to take the wind outof him,
/ IL l. lika harSnS