Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-11-05
E
GAMBLER And DUELIST.
AN INCIDENT IN
The Life of Colonel James Bowie.
BY FRANCIS T. HAMMoND

| Why, man, do you suppose that am
afraid of Bowie. I, who have fought
nineteen deuls, and always killed my ad
versary at the first fire, If he challenges
me will meet him.
Bowie is dead shot said the first
speaker. I have often seen him drive q
nail into tree with a pistol at-tN yards.
What Of that? said Lang. Ny eye is
as sharp, and my hand is as steady as his.
| Tho cares for Bowie? NotIi Perhaps
You do not know that have long wished
to meet him; and | would not now miss
keeping my appointment with Price for
ten thousand dollars
A shiver passed over his frame as he
concluded, and he raised his hand to his
brow.
Why, Lang, whatails your exclaimed
Thompson, Are you i'll p
III believe so, said the gambler, ris-
ing from his chair and staggering to and
fro like drunken man. BY God! there
Elt is again take it away take it away Z
Take what away p asked Thompson
catching him in his arms just in time to
save him from falling.
Did you see it 2 inquired Lang. star
ing wildly towards distant part Of the
room.
See what ? inquired Thompson.
Black Tom.
The men looked at each other but none
spoke.
~ Bring me a class Of brandy said
Lang, let it be as strong as hi. No
water for me-"
The liquor was brought, and the duel
list drained the glass to the last drop. In
few moments he rose from the floor and
seated himself. His face was as pale as
that Of corpse, and his hands trembled
violently.
Thompson he said suddenly, and
then hesitated. For moment his eve
wandered up and down the room and
then. appearing to gain confidence, he
continued
DO you believe in apparitions p
Believe in what?' exclaimed Thomp-
son.
In ghostsr
ask?
Because said the duellist, speaking
slowly and solemnly, just as true as ] am
sitting here. just as true it is that saw
Black Tom, the man whom l shot three
weeks ago. walk up and down this room,
and go out through the door,
And when was that? inquired Thomp-
son.
z Just now, was the reply.
You are only trying to scare u.s." said
Thompson. Confess: are you not Joking?
would to God was replied Lang,
solemnly. Have I not told you of the
dream / had last night?'
The reply v IS in the negative.
Well, then, listen, said the duellist-
You, all of you have seen my mother. !
The men nodded, for their curiosity was
so great that they disliked to interrupt
him. She was a beautiful being, more
like an angel than one Of this earth. She
was the best and kindest Of mothers, and
now that she is dead, when think Of the
many unhappy hours caused her, | al
most weep. You smile, gentlemen, but it
is so. Think not that because [ am a
duelist, and the slayer of nineteen men,
that my eyes cannot drop tears to the
memory of my almost idolized mother
See, he continued, drawing small minia-
ture from his breast. and gazing upon it
with smile so sad that it reminded me
of a picture Of our Savior weeping over
Jerusalem, by angels. Was she not
worthy Of being loved? But psha.
must remember whom am speaking to,
and he thrust the miniature into his bo-
som. Well, last night, as I lay part
asleep, I thought that my mother came to
my bedside, dressed all in white, just in
the same way in which / helped to lay her
in the coffin. Her face was very white,
and my limbs chilled with icy GOODNESS as
4 gazed upon her. She raised her finger
towards heaven and touched me on the
shoulder. A shudder ran through my
body, and ! buried my head beneath the
bed-clothes. When l again looked up
Isaw her standing by the door. Have
you nothing to say to me, mother? | ask
ed. For moment she stood as if hest
tating, and then slowly approached the
bed
Did she speak2' asked Thompson. see
1 ing that he paused.
Z es, and these were her words my
| son, have come to warn you. In three
| days you will fall BY the hand Of Here
she stopped. Whom?' She pointed to
my bowie-knife which lay upon the table
| and then disappeared.