Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1872-12-05

"No." said the captain, /" sonsshina
smaller. . piece Of money, . button OF
something or The kind.
The jockey psllsl . plum ou. Of his
pocket.
Good. John. cried the captain. "now
throw it high up in the air" ....t.r
-. The jockey threw the plum up; the cap
tain aimed. there was fash and report,
ssd the plum came squirting down. burs-
ted in many pieces. s.
An Involuntary bravo escaped the lips
Of the lockers %. The Major turned pale
as death. 80 ~ .. .
The captain did not speak another word
about the plux, shot. but quietly reloaded
his pistol in presence ef the second. and
sent 2aclr TO take his place
He bad also regAined come Of his cool
ness
r.'Shoet. Major" )" cried the captain
The second wanted to interfere, bu. the
captain put him back. and shouted lit
tie rough. "Shoot. Major"
The Major shot. aud missed.
"Shoot again. Major; goa aimed miser-
ably. Should | fall it will be lucky. not
alone for ysn, but for all Of these gentle
Ncn, becauscf intend to make you, one
and all, look into the muzzle Of my pis-
tol."
These words seemed Ike shrieks to the
lockers q. Every one excused himself
for having laughed yesterday, The Sec
epd said nothing against the secoEd shot.
because the Major now shot for them all !;
then n this monster did not bite the dust
he would shoot them all down like dogs.
The Major Eaised his pistol and aimed.
but everything seemed swimming before
his eyes. His nerves were unsteady.
= The captain looked him straight in the
face. At last he said, 'Tcsterday was
your teacher in joke; to-day will have to
be your teacher in earnest. Yon hold
your weapon too high. You will never
hit.me."
The Major shot and missed, and hot
perspiration could be seen on the now aux-
ious countenances.
Then the captain raised his pistol and
aimed and-lowcred it again. Major" :"
spoke the captain. .'you are a miserable
creature 1enquired about you yester-
day, and every one speaks i'll Of you. In
two minutes you will have ceased to live.
Now will be your teacher. and command
you to prayto the great and retaliatins
God. apd ask his forgiveness for your sins
Pray that all people whom you have wrong
ed may forgive you. and God will have
mercy on your soul. Hats of gentlemen.
When you speak with the Great Master of
the world, it mus. be done with uncover
ed head"
All took off their hats and the jockey
his cap. With his eyes uplifted towards
heaven the captain prayed fervently in
behalf Of the Major. The storm mans
prayer had touched all. The Majors
heart beat audibly. He was now upon that
bridge Which separates life from death.
"Amen =! came from all lips.
Oh T.. the plum had touched all hearts.
All put their hats on agsin. The houf 81
death had come, The Major had not 0
single drop Of blood in his countenance.
He trcpbled SO violently. that he was
hardly able to stand erect
In order to end his misery the captain
aimed quickly and lowered bis pistol,
haaded it to the jockey. and said: "The
man is not worth charge Of powder, y
and left.
The next evening lrc appeared again
dressed In black. in the cafe, but no one
disturbed him.
The Major, of course. saw himself com.
fpeiled to resign his position in the army