Year: 1870





| was in hurry to reach home. No
wonder for it was the widest night had
over known IN my life, and the country
road over which took my way as bad
and as dark as country roads in general.
Consequently / was walking at great
rate, with the collar Of a rough coat over
my ears, and comforter tied over my
soft hat and under my chin, to keep it on
and to protect my ears, when suddenly a
man stood full in my path and caught me
by the arm.


Hallon' said he. "You'rc just in
time. you are wanted at the Cross Roads
tonight"


The voice was the voice of ruflian


fancied myself attacked by high
wayman.


stood quite still, and strove to show
him by my manner that l was able to
protect myself.


What the deuce am wanted at the
Cross Roads for2" said |. "Unless |
choose it would be hard to get me there


But instead of producing pistol and
demanding my money or life, the man
tanswered in an altered tone:


beg pardon! made mistake. |
thought it was my brother, and wanted
to frighten him. Bad night, SIR"


Very!' said l.


You don't know the time p he ask
ed.


at was seven when left the train at
l." l said. -.


"Thank ye," said the man. Good
night"


| If his object had been robbery, proba-
ably he had decided, from my rough
mufllers, that | was too poor q man to be
worth the trouble


But after all, said, probably he spoke
the truth A man may have such voice
without being hghwayman, no doubt


SO l went homeward, and soon found
inyself shelter, and partaking Of warm
and savory dinner.


My mother was there, and my brother
Ben Ben was great strapping fellow
who could beat any other boy Of his age
for miles around, if it came to wrestling
or boxing, and as good humored boy
as ever lived a boy always to his mother,
although he had exercised his right to
vote already in one Presidential election.
When supper was over and we had
chatted for an hour, we went upstairs to-
gether We share one room


The moment Ben's head touched the
pillow he always went to sleep. That
night followed his example.


But | did not sleep long without a
! \ 4 II. \ l-.l.
grip on my arm and was reused by cry
ing in my ear.


"Wake up! you're wanted at the Cross
Roads"


1t was so real, SO palpablc, that when
| started broad awake actually believed
| that some one was in the room--the mar
who intended robbery or violence. But
when had lit my lamp the room was
empty, except myself and Ben, lying
snoring on hls pillow.


went at the door; it was locked.
went to the window; the rush Of rain
against the panes was all heard, / even
went across the passage to my mother S
room. She was awake. There had been
no unusual sound, she was sure
Only dream, born Of my meeting
with the strange mar upon the road, 1
felt sure had awakened me. | went to
bed and fell asleep again. Again ! was
awakened by the same words this time
they came to my ear by an unearthly
voice:


"Waiic up, you're wanted at the Cross
Roads"


again sprang from the bed and said
to Ben:


Wake up! did you hear a yelling ?"


"My stars said Ben. " Yelling wake
up! iou fairly frightened me-
Ben,' said /, "wait until light tho
lamp. heard another voice There
must be some one in the house or out
side"


SO we lit the lamp, and we searched,
but in vain.


Nightmare said Ben when told
him my story.


Ben" said |, "what is there at the
Cross Roads?"


"A house. said Ben


lie had lived in the neighborhood
long while and but short time.


"One little house, besides two oak
trees and fence. An old man lives there.
rich old fellow, and a bit Of miser
they say. His grand daughter keeps
house for him "


Ben said |, "that fellow may have
meant harm to them, may be wanted at
the Cross Roads"


Brother" said Ben, "go TO sleep.
You had nightmare Ben plunged
in between the blankets and was soon
snoring again.


also in ten minutes was sleeping
soundy as before, but the awakening
quickly came again.