Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-04-10

I
that it's very good it," said he. Th'
boy went out and shut the door, leavin:
the gunsmith alone in the dark. 81 d
! Meanwhile, Barbara was talking will
the blacksmith in the keeping room
Barney" said she, pulling her hand'
away from his grasp when he would hav,
kissed her, I've test to put you to be
fore l give you my answer. There is q
corpse lying in the chamber where my
grandsire died, in the untenanted wing
of the house. If you dare sit with il
there all night, and let nothing drive
you from your post, you will not ask me
to marry you in vain" .r---.
"You will give me light and bottle
of wine, and book to read i',is
"NotLing.' lsi sEfsI.a.s rr
care these all the conditions you can
offer me, Barbara z r asf v-.s..
"All. And if you get frightened you
shall never look me in the face -s
I'LL take them then" r.
So Barney was conducted to his post
by the lad, who had been instructed in
the secret. and whose voluntary stare at
Ernest's placid face as it lay in the coffin
was of a corpse. He took his seat and
the boy left him alone with the darkness,
the rats and the coffin. "a
Soon after young Fritz, the tanner, ar
rived, fattered and hopeful. from the
fact that Barbara had sent for him
"Have you changedyour mind. Barbara r.
he aeked. asve--fa .-.
"No; shall not until know that
you can do a really brave thing"
What shall it be? swear l shall
satisfy you, Barbara"
Il have proposal to make to you
My plan requires skill as well as cour-
age" ..-.. -..... b.. .,.....-. --
Tell mel ..' .--..... .r... .....-
"Well, in this house is a man watch
ing a corpse. He sworn not to leave his
post until morning. If you can make
him do it shall be satisfied that you are
as smart and as brave as l require hus-
band to be-" .--.
why nothing is SO easy!" exclaimed
Fritz Il can scare him away. Furnish
me with sheet, show me the room. and
go to your rest, Barbara. You will fnd
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 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 Tins At times thrill went
through him, for it seemed as if be
could hear low. suppressed breathing not
far away, but he persuaded himself it
was the wind blowing through the crew.
ces of the old house. Still it was very
lonely, and not at all cheerful.
The face in the coffin cleaned whittier
through the darkness. The rats squeak
ed as if famine were upon them, and
they::smelled flesh. The thought made
him shudder He got up and walked
about, but something made slight noise,
as if somebody was behind him, and he
put bis chair with the back against the
wall, and sat down again. He had been
hard at work all day, and in spite of
everything, he grew sleepy. Finally
he nodded and snored. g-.+..
Suddenly it seemed as if somebody
had touched him He awoke with a
start and saw somebody near, though in
the center of the room stood white fig
ure. Curse you get out Of this y he
exclaimed in a fright. using The very first
words that came to his tongue. The
figure held up its right arm and slowly
him. He started to his feet.
The spectre came neae-. pressing him in
to the corner.
"The devil take you,' cried Barney in
his extremity. 'o T
Involuntarily he stepped back; still
the fignre advanced, coming nearer and
nearer. and extending both arms as if to
take him in a ghostly embrace. The hair
started upon Barney's head, he grew des-
perate. and as the cleaning arms would
have touched him, he fell upon the ghost
like w!irlwind, tearing off the sheet,
humping, pounding. kicking and beat
ing. more and more enraged at the re
sistance he met, whicht told him the truth
As the reader knows. Barney was big
and Fritz was little and while pummel-
ing the little tanner numerically. and
Fritz was trying to lunge at Barney'g
to take the wind out of him.
both plunging and kicking like horses,
they were petriied to hear voice cry
Take one of your size. Big Barney"
Looking around, they saw the corpse
sitting up in his coffin This was too
much. They released each other and
sprung for the door. They never knew
how they got out; but they ran home
painting like atags.
1t was Barbara herself who came and
opened the door upon Ernest the next
a ~ s
q "It's very early; one more little nap
said be turning over in bis coffin.