Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-20
THE CURSED RIFLE.
BY w. w. FAY.

having gained advantage over the Mexi-
cans--whose first discharge had been aim
ed too high-rushed On while our enemies
paused to reload their guns. Each one
reserved his fire for some individual, SO
that the struggle was less battle than a
succession of duels. Without bayonets,
we broke our rifles against their heads,
and, without pistol OF bowie-knife in hand
trampled down the dying men, plunglngy
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 wo-
man, child, and negro-and afterward
burned the bleeding bodies in one horri-
BILE pile.
The war-cry Of our band had been:
Eight for your lives and remember the
Alamo and the poor Mexicans, who
were, after all, but the slaves Of
a blood thirsty tyrant, thought Of
it also, and moancd as they fell: "Me
no Alamo! Me no Alamo" hoping to
establish claim for mercy on the plea
that they had no hand in that horrible at
fair
In the midst of this conflict saw my
college chum, Howard Rathbone, in in
slant peril. rushed to his aid. Having
broken his gun over the head OF one
Mexican, he found himself beset by an
other, who cried out that he would ayengc
his brothers blood. AS they grappled,
the Mexican tried to use his rifle as my
chum had used his. 1t was in vain.
Howard was the stronger. In few mo-
ments he gained possession OF the others
weapon, and struck him binding blow.
Then, his hands being free, he drew his
bowie-knife and plunged it into the Mex
leans heart Meanwhile the savage tide
Of fighting men poured past. This was
little conflict 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 a moment he lay as one
who had cast himself upon the breast OF
a friend. Only moment; but ere he
Missed into his ears:
u curse the gun! May it prove the
curse of your life!"
AS the Texan struggled to his feet,
wrcnching the dead clutch from his
Jacket, he felt inclined to cast the rifle
upon the ground. at the moment it was
too necessary to him. The next he was a
tiger again, beset by other tigers.
"Me no Alamo!" moaned the bleeding
Mexican.
He struck him down.
"Mothcr!o 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 former chum to see his
daughter marry. Soon came the rustic
supper, the music Of two fddles, dane
ing, and plenty Of drinking-too much
by far, but it is the custom of the coun-
try At last the bridegroom's father,
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.
eyes, said Rathbone, 'yes, | took
that from a Mexican rascal at San ia
cinto"
swell, WE'LL" said the other, regarding
the weapon with curiosity. sort of sin
gular 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.
I'll have it down." said he, 'and let
you see it,"
He mounted on chair and took the
weapon in his hands, the thongs by which
it was slung remaining on the nails
Here you are, FRIEND" said he, Sand
now you've got in your hand rifle 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 a
kind of salute to my girl, your boy s
bride, who came into the world on that
day, her mother not knowing whether she
was widow or not. Eth, mother?"
"Ah! that's a day to remember" said
the WIFE
"Pa has got his gun down." cried the
bride. "sam: [ 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. 1'Ah! pa, you're not as brave
Jas you used to be- You don't dare aim
at me-"
''Yes, shoot US" laughed half a dozen
wild Texan girls. "Shoot us-shoot us
shoot us!'
''Then I will, my pretty robins" criec
the father. Zone, two, three, fly away o.
I ire!"
He aimed the weapon that had hung
useless on the wall for seventeen years
the gun the Mexican had cursed-at hi
daughter. 1t was just as safe a thing t,
do in ones opinion, as if it had been
broomstick
''Who's afraid?" cried the girl.
Nov, then; one, two, three" said tn
soldier. "Bang!"
AS he uttered the childish imitation 0
the sound of firearms, it was drowned il
a real explosion. The gun went off, ant
the bride dropped to the floor with
scream. A bullet had entered her tenn
pie. She was dead when they lifted he
in their arms. 1t was plain that seven
teen years before, the Mexican who ha,
ov-pnI - boJ fro1 of4nr