Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-06-09
A BATTLE FOR LIFE.

It's a-goin' ter be rough night
rcy'lar nor'eaStern, | reckon said
SilaS Hopkins as he stood at the high
window of the great lighthouse and
gaZcd out over the vast eXpancr OF
water.
There seemed IL reason for such Il
prophecy. Dark clouds were Scud-
ding across the sky, and the wind and
waves We're fast rising.
lem" said SilaS to his mate, go
UP an take Il look at the lamp nm sec
that alls snug. will you?'
Burk" was lying in one corner of the
room. on his mattress. He gave no
notice that he heard. and Hopkins
went over to look ut him. He was
fast asleep.
Com, Jcm. wake up cried SilaS,
shaking the PROSTATE man 10y the
shoulder.
Burke did not move. Silas muttercd
an imprccation under his breath.
"Morphinc agin.' he muttcrcd. This
here's gone far enough. Eve given him
warnin' artcr wnrnin', but he don't do
no better. I'll put Il stop to this for
good"
As he spoke he bent over the un-
N'iiN' i'tiS lll'tll liz" lloii HIS '''i'
pocket Il small bottle and syringe
He went to the window and fun"
both far out into the ocean.
That settles it, he exclaimed.
Si.aS now proceeded to mount the
iron steps leading to the top of the
tower where the lamp was situated
As he emerged on to the platform the
wind nearly carried him off his feet
and he WAS Obliged to clutch the iron
railing that ran around the edge OF
the lighthouse in order to maintain his
equilibrium. He lighted the lamp. saw
that all was secure and returned be-
low.
Night WaS coming on rapidly. AS it
grew blackcr and b.ackcr outside the
storm increased in violence. The waves
Wrr" running tremendously high and
each one. as it struck the lighthouse
caused the massive structure to trrm-
bic to its foundation.
The druGgrd man slept upon the
floor. all unconscious of the raging
elements. while SiaS sat motonlcSs
in Il chair, now and then glancing up
ward to see that the light was stlll
burning.
Al about twc,ve O'Clock Burke awokc
and sat up.
My. what Il Storm" he exclaimed.
SilaS only gruntcd
What time is it,"
'Midnight'
so latc:'
You didn't sposc it was mid day,
did YOU"
Il muster slept pretty sound"
You did" was the laconic answer.
Burke looked uneasily at his mate.
lou see" he said. Il wasn't frclin'
$" very we'll. so ! jest lay down for a
few minutes. | didn't intend to Slccp.'
Sil;s passed over the lame cXplana-
ton.
DO you feel better now" he asked.
Yes
well, then. you keep watch. I'll
try some sleep myself"
Jem asscntcd cordially. and without
further ado Hopkins flung himself
upon his mattress.
Burke waited until SilaS' regular
breathing assured him there was no
lear of detection. Then his hand
sought the right-hand pocket of his
coat. Nothing there. He felt in the
oinrf pocket. That. too, was empty.
Nl'h nervous haste he plunged his
hands IN all his pockets. one after the
otner. Beyond knife and few
copperS. nothing was revealed. With
an lhprecltion he threw the knife and
thc money against the wall
1T is gone he cried. what can I
have done with it!'
He sat down in a chair and fried to
think. He put his hand to his head
but it trembled so violently that he
could not keep 1t there. He searched
his pockets again, and then looked
about the room carefully The search
WAS fruitless
have been robbcd"' he cried
God. what shall l do? | must have
another dose. or / shall go mad."
This man had been addicted tn tho
use of morphine for Il comparatively
short time. but was already Il slave
To the drug. He paced the floor with
nervous strides. Beads of moisture
started upon his brow All at once
his eyes fell upon his sleeping mate,
AMI kindlcd with sudden fury.
He done it, he muttercd. "IIc
robbed me while | slept"
H"Sitating but for moment. he
walked over to where Silas law and
aroused him roughly.
Hopkins sat up and looked at his
mat" i'll Il bewildcred way. His mind
reverted instantly to the lamp.
"llallo. he sad. attempting to rise
anything the mattcry"
Yes. said Jcm. forcing him back,
SilaS WaS alarmed. Burkes wild an.
p"arance. bloodshot eyes, and unkempt
hair, were startling.
The lamp" he cried. "Anythinc
the matter with it?"
Never mind that" returned Jcm,
Tel me where it iS?"
where is WHAT"
rhc medicine YOU took from INV
pocket, YOU thief"
Il took no medicine"
You lic"
Burke, have a care, | won't take
the lie from any man.
SllaS again tried to rise. but lem
half insane with rage, held him down.
Give it back to me-" he screamed,
or. by God, I'll throttle you.'
His fingers We're on Silas' throat He
seemed likely to carry out his threat.
but Hopkins. with an effort, threw him
off and sprang up.