The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-08-06
pray don's talk 20" said

| pA;liu Ell ~ - jsss ~ :, {ss
*YSs5M shoala liks to lie bensate - Old
possible BE .-s As would Be- ~ s.sis
since there's no enc there now that woa1a re-
member OF caro- for mo; no, no, it's better here
sud then there'l be some one to look after the
"My dear friend" said Philip, with true
! feeling, don't be 90 down-hearted and sad |;
al am not afraid 70 die, Philip" said Mr..
| MacVain, with energy, his eyes burning with
| the excitement of the time. -! can meet him
| as calm and composed as if did not know 1t
would be fatal to me-"
ait will not be fatal to you," replied Philip,
"you are too good shot, you will have iS all
"skill and nerve will avail nothing against
destiny" said Mr.. MaoVain.
"My dear sir, you are too down-cast," said
Philip. going towards the Switchboard, "come,
take something to strengthen your nerves"
down hearted" repiid Mr.. Maovain. Feel
my pulse would o towards beat so regular as
az do not understand you," said Philip.
Listen. Our family. like all the old
families of Ireland, is followed by the Ban
shee, or death warming" commenced Mr.. Mac
Vain.
"Do you believe in such superstitions Z" in
1I Ssl rpi Taew rssp1isd Mr. Macvain,
firmly. "Look at me. am not ignorant, nor
foolish, nor yet superstitious. but know what
+ have seen! When the troubles occurred
that drove me from Ireland, left my mother
there and came here, whereI was soon engaged
in business. Going into the yard of my store
as plain and looking as natural as now see
YOU. / returned to my office and told my
cashier of what had seen, and that knew it
meant my mothers death In time l received
event, which occurred at the very moment that
the apparition had visited me-"
VERY singular, indeed" Philip remarked
"Last night, or rather, night before last, for
it is now nearly morning." continued Mr..
AIacVain, " as sat here in my room, without
q thought of my mother or home, looked up
and standing there by the Fireplace, was my
mother, just as have seen her many and many
a time-in the years gone by; but there was q
look OF and t On her taGe ond
| soon end my earthly career, and, therefore, at
once dnesv up the will which you will find in
the box yonder''
"This vision is susceptible Of many inter
pretations," replied Philip, ''as, for instance"
Enough, enough, 1 know what it meant
and that Is sufficient" said MI. Maovaln
the grounds, for Unjust he there pnnctual to
| the minute"
Not much was said during their morning
lunch for which Philip had no appetite,
having eaten during the night, aud the new
| position in which he found himself, made him
| feel nervous and excitable. Not SO with Mr.
MacVain having completed his directions to
his young friend he was perfectly cool and col
lected. He took the refreshments with relish
and then lighted a cigar. which he seemed to
enjoy, leaning back in his chair and convers-
ing with Philip on his approaching union with
Miss Mcdonald
As they drove along the shell road in cab
| towards the meeting grounds, they came up
with another cab. in which were seated Mr..
Plant and his friend Mr.. Cotton. Side by side
they drove along, neither, manifesting an in
decent hast to lead. the other, nor an inclina-
| Arrived on the ground, Mr.. Cotton and
Philip held a short consultation, measured off
| the ground examined the weapons and placed
| which was broken by Mr.. Cotton, who came
forward, and, addressing. Philip where Mr..
MacVan could hear him. said: g Mr.. Cum
friend, Mr.. Plant, and, unless al apology is OF.
fered, the matter must proceed in the usual
course"
| "your message is one based on gross false
hood. Tell Mr.. Plant that will allow this
matter to stop only on condition that he shall
ut once make the proper retraction due me,
and that in place as public as thatin which
| the insult was given"
"That settles the matter sir; we may as
| we'll proceed to business" said Mr.. Cotton.
| II am waiting" was the cool reply
1t fell to Philip to call time, and, in a voice
tremulous with the excitement of the occasion,
he demanded: "Gentlemen, are you ready ~
To which both firmly replied, " Ready"
Then the command from Philip came, clear
and distinct:
ire: oue, Two, IbiSe!
At the word one the report of Mr.. Plants
shot was heard, followed by that of Mr.. Mac
Vain's at the next word of command, and the
i smoke from both f1oated off on the clear morn
ing as "three" was called.
The seconds hurried to their friends. Mr..
Plant said as Mr.. Cotton came up: =" Here,
let's get back to town; I've fixed him."
"Are you hurtp inquired Mr.. Cotton.
! "No! He made clean miss of it-but did
not" he replied.
They returned to their cab and started for
the city without paying any attention to the
other part of the field. AS soon as the COM
mand was finished, Mr.. MaoVan turned to
Philip, who fastened forward and inquired,
" Are You wounded sir 3'
Eyes. fear badly-we must hurry bach, !"
was Mr.. MacVain's reply.
Without asking further questions, Philip ac-
companied him to their cab and assisted his
friend in, who said to the driver: Hurry,
my good fellow, drive fast as you can"
The driver, half frightened at what had oc-
Cured, put the horse to his highest speed, and
never relaxed in his urging the,animal until he
stopped in front of Mr. MacVain's lodgings.