Smyrna times., 1883-07-18

in the coffin was attributed by Barney j
to the natural awe of 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,
arrived, flattered and hopeful, from the
fact that Barbara had sent for him.
Have you changed your mind,
Barbara?"
"No; and shall not until l know
that you can do a really brave thing"
"What shall it be? swear to salts
fy you, Barbara"
II have proposal to make to you.
My plan requires skill as we'll as cOur-
age"
"Tell me-"
"Well, in this house there is a man
watching a 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, nothing is so easy?" exclaim-
ed Fritz. "I can scare him away. |
Furnish me with a sheet, show nae 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 10 o'clock, and she
sought her own chamber.
Barney was sitting at his vigil, and
so far all had been well.
The night seemed very long, for he
had no means of counting the time.
At times 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 famine upon them and they
smelled dead flesh. The thought made
him shudder, He got up and walked
about, but something made noise be-
hind him, and he put his chair with its
back against the wall and sat down
again. He had been at work all day,
n and at last grew sleepy. Finally he
nodded and snored.
e Suddenly it seemed as if somebody
II had touched him. He awoke with q
e start, and saw nobody near, though in
the centre of the room stood white
e figure.
e Course you, get out of this!" he ex
claimed in a fright, using the frs
words that came to his tongue.
X The figure held out its arm anC
sr slowly approached him. He started t.
his feet. The spectre came nearer
pressing him into the corner.
"The mischief take yOup erie,
y Barney in his extremity.
Involuntary he stepped back still
the figure advanced, coming neare
~ and near, as if to take him in q ghostl
u embrace. The hair started up O
nc Barney's head; he grew desperate
ne and just as the cleaning arm wOul
III have touched him he fell ON the gho:
IL like whirlwind, tearing the shee
OF thumplng, pounding, beating and kicl
'es ing, more and more enraged at the r,
ne sistance he met with, which told hi
w the truth.
fin As tho rooder LnowS bo ,,oo n;
and Fritz was little, and while he WI
pounding the little fellow terribly an
Nv Fritz was trying to get a lunge
lio Barney's stomach, to take the wiz
out of him, both kicking and plungir
Ooi like horses, they were petrifed
no hearing voice cry:
C. "Take one of your size, Big Barney
Looking around they saw the corp
sitting up in his coffin. This was t.
'ou much. They released each other al
omuS m sprang for the door. They never kp'
''y how they CAT out; but they ran hoI
in hot haste, painting like stays.
1t was Barbara herself who came a
anu opened the door the next morning.
ish TITS very early; one more lit
ing nap" said he, lone more little nal
ere turning over in his coffin;
oer; So she married him; though she ST
4he Fritz and Barney invitations to
Du! wedding, they did not appear. If I'll
TX a discovered the trick they kept
was knowledge to themselves and me-
llch willingly faced Barbara's laughing e,
en- again.
had -