Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-11-30
THE LAST ACT OF ALI


"Ned Bnntline," in bis recollections Of a
visit to Nashville, tells the following:
One evening, shortly after the close of the
Mexican war, found myself at the old inn,
once kept by the noble Fergusoo, in company
with Frank G., Bill N, and two or three other
friends who had with me faced death on the
plains of Mexico, and afterwards sreveled in
tha balls of the Montezumas.' We had dined
together, and the wine had not been ale;
therefore we felt inclined for any kind of fae
which might present sell.
A yoGag man, of very plausible address
and most genteel appearance, hai in some way
get into the company, and though from somo
words which dropped | knew be was gam
bier, contented myself with avoiding any
conversation with him, letting the rest do as
they pleased Ir regard to him. | heard them
call hin Morford, and afterward learned that
ne came from respectable stock.
After we had drunk few glasses ut the
bar to top off with, walk was proposed; and
Alorford volunteering 10 show the boys some
fun, was selecsed as pilot. This did rot
please me oyermuch, but | would not Let any
whim OF mine break up the party, aud 80
vent along.
We visited various saloons iD Union and
other streets, and Morford, thinking lie bad
matters in the right train, started, at tho head
OF the party for tho faro rooms of Sam b., one
of The heaviest gamblers in the city, situated
( in Water street aforesaid.
We were passing long brick building, but
short distance below the bridge, when sue
cession Of screams, evidently from fems,es,
aud other indications of general row, fell up
on our ears. As the noise came from the brick
building, We were not long in making an ens
trance thereto, and 10 moment witnessed
one Of the most disgraceful scenes shat man
esn ever look upon.
Two frail women were engaged in beastly
fight, while other brutes, n the gaf5 Of men
aud women, were encouraging the com0Gt.--
The scene aid not last long, for Merford, witl
! cry of horror, spraug forward, aud dashing
the combatants apart, drew one Of them te
wards him.
sGood Heavens Paulne--yon herel he
exclaimed, in voicqo of agony.
'ies, Henry replied the girl, whose per-
sonai beauty was CREST, notwithstanding the
evidence Of intoxiestion, and whose likeness to
himself was striking, 'you broke fathers heart
By turning gambler, aud / thought I'd flush
the work.
She never finished the seuteoce tina, she had
commenced
With wild cry OF despair, the young man
drew pistol from bis pocket, and before word
could To spoken, or hand raised to interfere,
her brains bespAttsred tie wall where she stood.
Aud while YET the report echoed through the
roon, and the sitting smoke rose over her
body, the young gambler cooked second barr
rel Of his revolver, and coolly saying, 'Good
bye, gsutlemen, must go With my sister,
hfed aud fell corpse beside the body OF bis
victim.
Ii turned out to be true that she was bis
sister, and this was the first knowledge be
had OF her having, ike hmself, departed from
the path of honor and virtue.
Our fun was over for shat night, aud we
vent back to our quarters sobered aud sad
dened Sc. of men. None Of US will be likely
to forget that tragedy while life lasts Young
folks take warning.