The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-05-18
WANTED Ar TIE CROSS aoADs.

was in a hurry to reach home. No wonder,
Tor it was the widest night had ever known
In my life, and the country road over which
took my way as bad and as dark as country
roads is in general. Consequently was walk
ing ut. great rate, with the collar of rough
coat over my ears, and comforter tied over
my soft hat and under my chin, to keep it on
and to protect my ears, when suddenly man "a
stood full in my path, and caught me by the
arm.
ssHallo |" said he, "You're just in time; you
are wanted at the Cross Roads tonight"
The voice was the voice of rufian. fan
cied myself attacked by highwayman.
stood quite still and strove to show him by a
manner that was able to protect myself.
"What the deuce am / wanted at the Cross
Roads for9" said i. "Unless should choose
it would be hard to get me there"
But instead of producing a pistol and de-
manding my money or my life, he answered in
an altered tone: :.
"Beg pardon; made a mistake. thought
it was my brother, and wanted to frighten him.
Bad night, sir"
.eVeryr' said /.
"You don't know the timer" he asked.
sIt was seven when Ileft the train at L."
said !.
NThank ye,n said the man, "Good night"
IF his object had been robbery, probably he
had decided, from my rough muftiers, that 1
was too Door man to be worth the trouble.
But after ali, said probably he spoke the
truth. A man may have such voice without
being highwayman, no doubt.
So I went on homeward, and soon found my
self under shelter and partaking of warm
and savory supper.
NY mother was there, and my brother Ben:
Benwas great and 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 to
his mother, although he had exercised his right
to vote already in one Presidential election.
When supper was over and We had chatted
for an hour, we went upstairs together. We
share one room. =,
The moment Ben's head touched the pillow
he always went to sleep. That night followed
his example.
But did not sleep withouta dream-adream
in which felt rough grip on my arm and
vas reused by crying in my ear:
"Wake up you're wanted at the Cross
Roads,"
It was so real, so palpable, that when start
ed broad awake / actually believed that some
one was in the room-the man who intended
robbery or violence. But when l had ut my
lamp the room was empty, except myself ana
H.
went to the door it was locked. Invent to
the window; the rush of rain against the panes
was all heard. even went across the pass
are to my mothers room. She was awake
There had been no unusual sound she was
quite sure .; -,
Only dream born of my meeting with the
strange man upon my road, ielt sure hao
awakened me. I went to bed and fell asleep
asain. Again was awakened by the same
words--this time they came to my ear by an
unearthly voice:
"Wake up, you ere wanted at the cross
Roads -"
I again sprang from the bed and said to
Ben: -. =,
Waks up did did you s.h hear 2!ying ysipg2 wake
You fairly frightened me-"
aBen," said I, "wait until light the lamp
heard another voice. There must be some
one in the house or outside"
So we Ii. the lamp, and we searched, but In
Nightmare" said Ben when told him
my story. . .Lo c,oss
Roads 2"
"a house." said Ben.
He had lived in the neighborhood long
while, and but short time. :,
zone little house, besides two oak trees and
q fence. An old man lives there, rich oid
fellow, and bit of a miser they say. his
grand daughter keeps house for him..
harm to them, may be wanted at the Cross
Roads,"
"Brother," said Ben, ego to sleep: You had
nightmare"-and Ben plunged In between
the blankets and was soon snoring again.
I also in ten minutes was sleeping soundiy
as before, but the wakening quickly came
again. =.
the foot of the bed. a girl with white robes
end golden hair all about her shoulders who
wrung her hands and cried, ooh, wake up; you
are wanted at the Cross Roads"
This time / started out OF bed bathed In
cold psrspirarion. trembled hike Leaf, and
had no doubt that had received supernatu-
raj warning. ,,.o
been told that am wanted at the Cross Roads,
and am going" -,
And began to dress myself as speedily as
possible, listening meanwhile to the storm,
raging madder and wilder than at any other
period since its commencement.
Rem demonstrated with me in vain. at last
he began to huddle on his clothes.
aIf YOU have gone mad, must 60 with you
and take care Of you," he said: "But fancy
another man going in storm like TINS 70 tne ;,'s
Cross Roads, because ligatmabiie tbie aosl5Gs as Sm 9
I said nothing. ALI / could have answered
Il am impelled to go; dare net refuse,
whatever may be thought Of me-, .,
In ten minutes we we're spiashing through
mud and rain along the road. Itwas perfectly
dark; now and then blazing red star IN the
distance told us that lamp was cleaning
through the rain in some cottage window, but Ut
our proximity to any habitation whatever. At
last nearing the spot where tho road from
s. crosses the road from P, we were
slaed In aa solitary place as could be well