Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-09-16
Because he is said to be COlonel

I LIS 0rAts
Well, what if ne is his friend ? he
asked.
Why, said the other, hesitatingly,
If you should fight Prince. Bowie will
act as his second, and ifyou should hit
him, which | think you will, he will
challenge you. k
''And them said the gambler, in
quiringly.
He will kill You, was the reply.
The gambler laughed. but it was sv-
identity forced, and said
Why, man. do you suppose thlt /
am afraid of Bowie? I, wha skve
fought nineteen ddeis, and always
killed my adversary at the first fire.
If he challenges me, will meet him.
Bowie is dead shot, said the first
speaker. L have often seen him drive
nail into a tree with pistol at ten
yards
What of that :? said Lang. NY
eye is as sharp, my hand is as steady
as his Who cares for Bowie? Not
|? Perhaps you do not know that
have long wished to meet him: and
would not now miss keeping my ap-
poIntment with Prince for ten thous-
and dollars.
A shiver passed over his frame as
he concluded, and he raised his hand
to his brow.
Why, Lang. what ails YOU ? ex-
claimed Thompson. Are you i'll P
II believe So said the gambler,
rising from his chair, and staggering
to aud fro like a drunken man. BIZ
-, There it is again Take it
away
Take what away p asked Thomp-
son, catching him in his arms in time
to prevent him from falling.
Did You see it? inquired Lang.
staring wildly towards distant part
Of the room.
See what p inquired Thompson.
Black Tom
The men looked at each other, but
none spoke.
Bring me glass of brandy, said
Lang. Let it be as strong as HI
No water for me-
The liquor was brought. and the du-
elist drained the glass to the last drop.
In a few moments he rose from the
floor and seated himself. His face
was as pale as that of a corpse, and
his hand trembled violently. 'Thomp.
SON. he said, suddenly, and then hes
itated. For a few moments his eye
wandered up and down the room, and
then appearing to gain confidence, he
continued. DO You believe in appa-
ritions -
Believe in what? exclaimed Thomp-
son.
In ghosts
Not L. was the reply. Why do
you ask p
Because, said the duelist, speaking
slowly and solemnly, Just so true as
am sitting here, Just so true is it that
saw Black Tom, the man whom
shot three weeks ago, walk up and
down this room, and go out through
the door
And when was that o inquired
Thompson.
Just now, was the reply.
You are only trying to scare US,
said Thompson. Confess, you are jo-
king.
4 would to God I was, replied
Lang, solemnly. Have l not told you
Of the dream had last night
The reply was in the negative.
Well, then, listen, said the duel
ist. You, all of you, have seen nv
mother ? The men nodded, for their
curiosity was so great that they dis
liked to interrupt him. She was a
beautiful being. more like an angel
than one OF the earth. She was the
best and kindest of mothers, and now
that she is dead, when l think of the
many unhappy hours l caused her,
almost weep. You smile, gentlemen,
but it is so. Think not that because
am a duelist and the slayer ofnine-
teen men. my eyes cannot drop tears
to the memory of my almost idolized
mother. See, he exclaimed, drawing
a small miniature from his breast and
gazing upon it with a smile so sad
that it reminded me of the picture
of our Saviour weeping over Jerusa.
lem, was she not worthy of being
loved? But pshaw must remem-
Der whom l am speaking to. and he
I thrust the miniature into his bosom.
Well, last night, as / lay part asleep,
( I thought my mother came to my bed
side, dressed all in white, just in the
same way il which helped to lay her
! in the coffin. Her face was very white
and my limbs chilled with sd icy cold
ness as gazed upon her. She raised
her fingers towards Heaven, and
touched me on the shoulder. A shud-
der ran through my body. and | buried
NV head beneath the bed clothes
When again looked up, | saw her
standing by the door. Have you
nothing 10 say to me, mother ! ask
ed. For a moment she stood as il
meditating, and then slowly approach.
/ ed The bed
Did she speak !? asked Thompson,
seeing that he hesitased.
Yes, and these were her words
Ny son, have come to warn you
In three DAYS you will fall by the
hand Of Here she stopped. Whom
asked. She pointed to my bowie
knife, which lay upon the table, and
then disappeared.
A singular dream, thai, remarked