The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-01-12
From the \. Y. Mercury.
THE CURSED RIFLE.
BY w. W. FAY.

1t was at the battle of San Jacinto
that the rifle came to my notice. We
Texans, having gained advantage over
the Mexicans-whoSe first discharge had
been aimed too high-rushed on while
our enemies paused to reload their guns.
Each man reserved his fire for some indi-
vidual, so that the struggle was less
battle than succession of duels. With
out bayonets, we broke our rifles against
their heads, and, without pistol or bowie
knife in hand, trampled down the dying
men, plunging our blades into the
breasts Of the few who opposed US, into
the backs Of those who fed.
We were still full of memories of the
Alamo. Never could we forget how the
Mexicans had slaughtered every human
being within its walls, save three-a
woman, child and negro-and after
ward burned the bleeding bodies in one
horrible pile,
The war-cry of our band had been:
" Fight for your lives, and remember the
were, after all, but the slaves of blood
thirsty tyrant, thought of it also, and
moaned, as they fell: "Me no Alamo.
Me no Alamow hoping to establish a
claim for mercy, on the plea that they
had no hand in that horrible affair.
In the midst of this conflict saw my
college chum, Howard Rathbone, in in
slant peril. | rushed TO his aid. Hav-
ing broken his gun over the head of one
Mexican, he found himself beset by
another, who cried out that he would
ayenge his brothers blood. As they
grappled, the Mexican tried to use his
rife as my chum had used his. 1t was
in vain. Howard was the stronger. In
a few moments he gained possession of
the others weapon, and struck him d
binding blow. Then, his hands being
free, he drew his bowie-knife and
plunged it into the Mexican's heart
Meanwhile the savage tide of fighting
men poured past. This was a little con-
fict by itself Hardly any one noticed
it, there were so many others. But as
he fell, the dying Mexican clutched the
cloth of the soldiers coat in the grip of
death, and dragged him down upon his
breast, where for moment he lay as one
who had cast himself upon the breast OF
a friend. Only a moment; but ere he
had freed himself these words had been
Kissed into his ears:
q curse the gunl May it prove the
curse of your lifep'
As the Texan struggled to his feet,
wrenching the dead clutch from his
jacket, he felt inclined to cast the rifle
upon the ground. At that moment it
was too necessary to him. The next he
was tiger again, beset by other tigers.
g Me no Alamor' moaned a bleeding
Mexican.
He struck him down.
Mother" cried boy, into whose
breast he had plunged his blade.
For answer he drove his iron heel into
the face that was hardly more than a
child's.
Seventeen years had passed since the
battle of San Jacinto, when | went to
the house of my former chum to see his
daughter marry. Soon came the rustic
supper, the music of two tiddles, dane
ing, and plenty of drinking-too much
by far, but it was the custom of the
country. At last the bridegroom's faith
er, standing beside the father of the
bride, glanced up at the rifle hanging
over the chimney-piece.
Some of the relics of your fighting
times, | reckon" said he
Yes" said Rathbone, eyes, took
that from Mexican rascal at San ia
cinto."
Well, WE'LL" said the other, regard
ing the weapon with curiosity "Sort of
singular looking, amt it? | never saw a
Mexican rifle before. Can't see much of
it now-it's so high up"
He had been drinking good deal and
was in high spirits The. same might
have been said of the old soldier.
"Ill have it down." said he, "and let
you see il"
He mounted on chair and took the
weapon in his hands, the thongs by which
it was slung remaining on their nails
''Here you are, friend, said he. "Ana
now you've got in your hand a rife that
may have been the death of many a
brave fellow at the Alamo. It's seven
teen years since it was in anybody's
hands, and its last shot, mayhap, was
fired as kind of salute to my girl, your
boys bride, who came into the world on
that day, her mother not knowing
whether she was widow or not. Eli.
mother%'
"Ahl that's day to remember" said
the wife.
''Pa has got his gun down, cried the
bride. Sam, l never saw that gun
down before"
As she spoke the other man gave the
rifle back into Rathbone's hands, and he
stood holding it.
you don't dare to shoot me-" cried
the bride. "Ah! pa, you're not as brave
as you used to be. You don't dare aim
at me-"
Eyes, shoot US laughed half a dozen
wild Texan girls. "Shoot us-shoot us
shoot u.s.
"Then will, my pretty robins" cried
the father. Zone, two, three-fy away
or / firew
He aimed the weapon that had hung
useless on the wall for seventeen years
the gun the Mexican had cursed-at his
daughter. 1t was just as safe thing to
do, in ones opinion, as if it had been a
br0omstick.
"Who's afraid?" cried the girl.