Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-01-07

1t was very large and full Of rccesses, with
high windows in them; which were barred
across. He remembered that old Grandsirc
Feros had been insane several years before
his death. SO this precaution had been nee
essary for the safety of himself and others.
In the centre of the room stood a coffin
beside it was placed chair. The room
was otherwise perfectly empty
Ernest stretched himself in the coffin.
Be kind enough to tell Miss Barbara
that il is very good fit, said he.
The boy went out and shut the door, leav-
ing the gunsmith aIcne in the dark
Meanwhile, Barbara was talking with the
blacksmith 10 the keeping room
Barney said she, pulling her hands
away from his grasp, when he would have
kissed her, Il have test to put you to, be-
fore give you any answer There is a
corpse lying in the chamber where my grand.
sire died, in the untenanted wing Of the
house. Ifyou dare sit there, all night, and
let nothing drive you from your post, you'll
not ask me to marry you in vain
You give me light aud bottle of wine
and book to read p
Nothing !"
Are these all the conditions you can Of:
fer me, Barbara ?7
"All. And if you get frightened, you
need never look me in TIE face again
III take them, then
So Barney was conducted to bis post by
the lad, who had been instructed in the Sc
cret, and whose voluntary stare at Ernest $
placid face as it lay in the coffin, was inter
preted by Barney to be natural awe of a
corpse. He took his seat and the boy left
him alone with 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 1 shall not, until know that
you can do a really brave thing
What shall it be? swear to satisfy
you Barbara
Il have proposal to make to you. My
plan requires skin as well as courage
Tell me {"
Well in this house is a man watching a
corpse. He has sworn not to leave his post
till morning Ifyou can make him do it
shall be satisfied that you are as smart and
as brave as l require husband to be.
why nothing is so easy?" exclaimed
Fritz, Il can scare him away Furnish me
with q sheet and show me the room and 20
to your rest Barbara You viii find me at
the post in the morning.
Barbara did as he required, and saw the
tanner step blithely away to his task. 1t
was then nearly twelve O'Clock, and she
sought her own chandler. Barney was sit
ting at his vigil
The face iu the coffin cleaned whittier in
the darkness. The rats sqreaked as if fam
inc were upon them, and they smelled flesh.
The thought made him shudder. He got
up and walked, but something made slight
noise, as if somebody was behind him and be
put his chair with the back against the wall
and sat down again. lie had been hard al
work all day, and at last, in spite of every
thing he grew sleepy Finally he nodded
and snored.
Suddenly it seemed as if somebody had
touched him. He awoke with start and
saw nobody near, though in the centre Of
the room stood white figure
Curse you get out of this r' he exclaiu-
ed in a fright, using the very first words
that came to his tongue.
The figure held up its right hand and
slowly approached him. He started to bis
feet. The. spectre came nearer, pressing
him in the corner.
"Tte ID take you" cried Barney, in
his extremity.
Involuntarily he stepped backed. still the
| figure advanced, coming nearer and extend
ing both arms, as if to take him in ghast
ly embrace. The hair started up on Bar
ney' head he grew. desperate and, as the
cleaning arms would have touched him, he
fell upon the ghost like whirlwind, tearing
off the sheet, humping, pounding, beating
and kicking, more and more outraged at the
resistance he met, which told him the truth
As the reader knows, he was big anc
Fritz was little and while pummeling the
little tanner numerically, and Fritz was try.
ing TO lounge at Barney's stomach to take
the wind out of him, both plunging and
kicking ike horses, they were terrified by
hearing voice cry:
Take one of your own size, big Bar
ney"
Looking around they saw the corpse sit
ting up in his coffin. This was too much
They released each other and sprang for the
door. They never knew how they got out
but they ran home in hot haste, painting
like stags.
She married him and though she sem
Fritz and Barney invitations to the wedding
they did not appear. If they discovered
the trick, they kept the knowledge to them
selves, and never faced Barbara's laughing
eyes again.
From the Independent.
WOMAN As A WORKER.
W. 1.-Two in o{osIr nj words