Smyrna times., 1883-07-18
Three Brave Men.

Three Brave Men.
Pretty Barbara Ferron would not
marry. Her mother was in cOnsterna-
ton.
"Why are you stubborn, Barbara?'i
she asked. "You have plenty OF
lovers"
"But they do not suit, " said Barbara
coolly tying back her curls before the
mirror.
"Why not?"
81 want to marry q man who il
brave, equal to any emergency. If
give up my liberty l want it takel
care Of"
"Silly child! what is the matter will
Big Barney, the blacksmith ?"
"He is big, but I never heard that h
was brave"
"And you never heard that he wa
not. What is the matter with Ernest
the gunsmith?"
"He is as placid as goats milk"
"That is no sign that he is a coward
There is little Fritz, the tanner; he
quarrelsome enough for you surelyw
"He is no bigger. than bantal
cock. 1t is little good he can do if tn
house was set upon by robbers"
"It is not always strength that wiz
a fight, girl. 1t takes brains as well I
Drawn. Come, now, Barbara, giV
these young fellows fair trial"
Barbara turned her face before Il
mirror, letting down one raven tire
and looping up another.
81 will, mother" she said at last.
That evening Ernest the gunsmi
knocked at the door.
"You sent for me, Barbara?"
said, going to the girl; who stood up
. the hearth, coquetishly warming o
pretty foot and then the other
"Yes, Ernest" she replied, "I'
been thinking ON what you said t
e other night when you were here"
y "Well, Barbara?"
1 Ernest spoke quietly, but his da
:, 3 blue eyes flashed, and he looked at /
intently.
81 want to test yO4.n
"How?"
. 81 want to see if you dare do VI
disagreeable thing"
"What is it9n
II "There is an old coffin up stairs.
smells mouldy. They say Redmo
the murderer, was buried in it; but
devil came for his body and left
coffin empty at the end of a week, {
it was finally taken from the tomb.
nc is up stairs in the room grandfat
died in, and they say grandsire d
not rest easy in his grave for sc
reason, though that 1 know moth
about. Dare you make that CO
your bed tonight"
Ernest laughed.
"Is that all? I will do that
sleep soundly. Why, pretty one,
s.. you think l had weak nerves?n
We HYour nerves will have good p
if you undertake it, Remember,
). one sleeps in that wing of the hou
! 81 shall sleep the sOunder."
GOOD night, then. will sen
lad to show you the chamber. If
stay till morning." said the imper
ed. Miss Barbara with nod of her pr
,e head, NJ viii marry FoH.n
y "You VOW it?"
Ernest turned straight away
followed the lad in waiting, thrC
dim rooms and passages up ech
II stairs. along narrow damp ways, W
w. rats scuttled before to low chan
The lad looked pale and scared,
evidently wanted to hurry away,
s. Ernest made him wait till he to
survey by the aid of his lamp. II
very large and full of recesses, "
1c had been barred across. He rel
bered that old grandsire FerrOn
been insane several years befor
death, so that this precaution had
necessary for the safety of himself
others. In the centre of the
stood coffin, beside it stood a I
The room was otherwise per-
empty.
Ernest stretched himself out i
A1y coffin.
v. "Be kind enough to tell Miss Ba
. it is very good fit" he said.
The boy went out and shut the
leaving the young gunsmith alo
the dark.
e., Meanwhile, Barbara was Il
, ,s.tf with the big blacksmith in the 81
room.
). Barney" said she, pulling hel
away from his grasp when he
80 have kissed her, I've test to pu
To-, to before give you an answer.
is a corpse lying in the chamber
/. my grandsire died, in the untesl unite
esEri; IgITi; wing Of the house. II YOU d
I a !. .sE ss with it all night and let nothing
siiSS Si you away from your post you W
y 7-ix nnG ask me again in vain."
- "You will give me light and
RS. tie of wine and book to readp"
Nothing"
Are these all the condition
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