Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-09-20

TO before give you an answer. There
is a corpse lying in the chamber where
my grandSire 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 me again in vain.
You will give me- a light and a
bottle of wine and a book to read T'
Nothing"
"Are these ali the conditions YOU can
offer me, Barbara"
"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 in
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 a corpse, He took his
seat and the boy left him alone with
the darkness, the bats. and the coffin
Shortly after, young Fritz, the tan
ner, arrived, tlattered and hopeful from
the fact that Barbara had sent for him.
Have you changed yolr mind
Barbara?"
No; and | shall not until ! know
that you can do really brave thing"
What shall it be? swear to sat
isfy you, Barbara"
Il have a proposal to make to you.
My plan requires skill as well as cour
age"
Tell me-"
well, in this house there is a man
watching corpse. He has sworn not
to leave his post till morning. If you
can make him do it shall be satisfied
that you are as smart and as brave as
| require husband to be.
why, pothing is no easy~ exclaim-
ed Fritz. Il can scare him away.
Furnish me with a sheet, show me the
room and go to your rest, Barbara
You shall find me at the post in the
morning"
Barbara did as required and saw the
tanner step lightly away to his task.
1t was then nearly II o'clock and she
sought her own chamber.
Barney was sitting at his vigil, and
SO far all had been well.
The night had been very long, for he
had no means of counting the time.
At times a thrill went through him,
for it seemed as if he could hear low
suppressed breathing not far away.
He persuaded himself that it was the
wind blowing through the crevices 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 them and they
smelled dead flesh. The thought
made him shudder. He got up and
walked about, but something made a
noise behind him. and he put his
chair with its 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, ana saw nobody near, though
! in the centre of the room stood "a
white figure.
Course you, get out of this" he
exclaimed, in fright, using the first
words that came to his tongue.
The figure held out its arm and
slowly approached him. He started
to his feet. The spectre came nearer,
pressing him into the corner.
"The mischief take you" cried
Barney, in his extremity.
Involuntarily he stepped back
still the figure advanced, coming
nearer and nearer, as if to take him
in a ghostly embrace. The hair start
ed 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, tear
ing the sheet, humping, pounding
beating, and kicking, more and more
enraged at the resistance he met with
which told him the truth.
AS the reader knows, he was big
and Fritz was little, and while he was
pounding the little fellow terribly
and Fritz was trying to get a lunge
at Barney's stomach, to take the
wind out of him, both kicking and
plunging like horses, they were petri
fed by hearing voice cry:
"Take one of your size, Big Barney
Looking around they saw the corpse
sitting up in his coffin. This was too