Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-06-04
THREE BRAVE MEN.

>SN III
THREE BRAVE MEN. h
Pretty Barbara Ferros wouli not marry. Her ri
mother was in CONSERVATION. b
.sWhy are you so stubborn, Barbara" she II
asked. "You have plenty of lovers" Il
"But they do not suit, - said Barbara, cooly Il
tyiug back her curls before the IN irror.
"Why not ~ ;
al want to marry man who is brave and ,
equal to any emergency. If give up my ber-
ty want 1t taken care Of" a
aSilS child What is the matter with big {
Barney, the blacksmith ?'
"He is big, but 1 never heard that he was
brave"
sand you never heard that he was not
What is the matter with Ernest, the gunsmith?"
ale Is placid as goats milk"
''That is no sign that lie is coward. There
Is little Fritz, the tanner he Is qlarrelsome
enough for you, surely"
"He is no bigger than bantum cock. 1t is
little good he can do il the house Is set upon by
robbers"
alt Is not always strength tn 1t wins a fght.--
lttakes brains as well as braun. Come, now
Barbara, give these three young men u fair /
trial"
Barbara turned her face before the mirror, !
letting down one raven tress aud looping up an
other.''
al will, mother" she said at last
That evening Ernest, the gunsnitb, knocked
at the door.
"You sent fer me, Barbara ~ he said, going
TO the girl, who stood coquettishy upon the
hearth coquettishly warming one pretty footand
then the other.
"Yes, Ernest" she said, give been thinking
on what you said the other night when you
were here"
"Well, Barbara %
Ernest spoke quietly, but his dark blue eyes
flashed, anil he looked At her intent'y
81 want u test tou,
'.uow -
want 10 see ii you J4e Do di,lgreeab,e
thing"
"What Is -
"There is All old ctin up stairs-it smells
mouldy. I'll y say Redmt nd the murderer, was
buried in 1t, but the devil came for his body aud
left the coffin empty at the end Of week and
II was finally taken from the tomb. 1t is up
stars in the room where grandfather died, and
they say he does not lest easy in his grave for
some reason, though that they know nothing
about. Dare you make that coffin your bed
tonight"
Ernest laughed.
els that all J will do that and sleep soindly.
why pretty one, did you th ink | had weak
nerves? 2"
"Your nerves will have good proof if you
undertake. 1t. Remember, no one sleeps in that
wing of the house"
al shall sleep the sounaei."
"Good night, then, | will send a lad to show
said imperlous Miss Barbara with a nod of hel
pretty head, "I' mary you"
"You vow it2n
Ernest turned straight away and followe,
the lad in waiting through dim rooms and pas
sages, up eehoing stairs. along narrow dam,
ways rats scuttlsd before, 10 low chamber :
The lad looked scared and evidently wanted t,
hurry away, but Ernest made him wait till he
took survey OF the chamber by the aid of hi
lamp. 1t was very large aud full of recesses
which had been barred across lie remember
ed that old grandsire FerrOs had b4er insan,
several years before his DEATH 50 that this pre-
caution had been necessary Tor the safety @
himself and Others. In the centre of the room
stood c)ffln, beside it was placed a chair TIL
room otherwise was perfectly empty.
Ernest stretched himself out in the coffin
BE kind enough to tell Miss Barbara it is
very good fit"
The lad went out and shut tie doors leayin
the young man alone III the dark.
Meanwhile, Barbara was taking with The bi
blacksmith in the sitting room.
"Barney," said she, pulling her hand from h
grasp when he would have kissed her, "I'ye
test TO put you before give yuu any alIswe
There lisa corpse lying in the chamber Wheel
my grandsire died ia the untenlntel wing {
the house.
Hyou dare sit with it all night and let notl
ing drive you away from your post, YOU wi
not ask Inc again in vain'
"Youll give me light and bottle of win
and q book to read?'
"Nothing"
"Are these all the conditions you offer m
Barbara?n
"Al; and If yon are frightened Won ne.
never look me IN the face again.
so barney was conducted 10 his post by Il
LAD, who had been instructed TO the secret al
whose Involuntary start at Ernest's placid ia
as he lay in the coffin was attributed by Barn
to the natural awe Of the corpse He look /
m al tn, L., a II,
the rats and the coffin,
Soon after Young Fritz, the tanner arrive
hattered and hopeful, from tile tact that b.
bara had sent Tor him.
Have You changed you nndf'' he askt
"N0 and shall not until know that =
can do really brave thing
Barbara" >
81 have proposal to make to you. Nv nj
REQUIRES skill as well as courage
"Tell mel"
swell, i'll this house there is man watch
corpse. He is sworn not to leave his n
until morning. II you eau make him do it
shall be satisfied that you are as smart and
brave as l require husband to be-
"Why, nothing is so easy" exclaimed Fri
81 can scare him away. Furnish IN. will
sheet, show me the room and 90 10 your r,
Barbara. You shall find me a tlt- posi- in
morning
Barbara did as required, and saw the tan
step lBity away 10 bis task. II was II
yearly twelve O'Clock, and She sought her o
chamber.
Barney had been sitting at his vigil, and
Tar all had been we'll The night seemed v
long for he had no means of counting the Ii,
Al times thrill went through him, for it se,
ed as though he could hear low suppres
breathing not far away: but persuaded him>
II was the wind blowing through the crew
Of the old house. Still it was very lonely
not at all cheerful.
The face in the coffin cleaned white .
still. The rats squeaked as il there was a I,
ine upon them,and they SIN He'd the dead de
Inc thought made him shudder. He got
AMI walked about, but something made sli
nose behind him. and he put his chair with
oack to the wall, and sat down again. He
been at work all day, and at last grew slec
Finally he nodded and snored
suddenly II seemed as If somebody
touched him. He awoke with start aud
nobody near, though in the centre of the re
stood white figure.
curse you, get out of this" he exclaIne,
alright using the first words that came to
tongue.
The figure held OUT its right arm and slo
approached him. He Started to his feet
spectre came nearer, pressing him into
corner.
1.-THE mischief take you" cried Barnvy
bis extremity.
inVountarily he stepped back, but still
usufe advanced, coming nearer and neare
to take him in ghostly embrace. The
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