Thanks so much Jennifer. Glad you liked it. He has always been a favorite of mine in regards to historical favorites and the disappearance mystery surrounding him. Appreciate the comment. - Jim
Wow. No that was bad ass. I had no idea that Ambrose Bierce's middle name was Gwinnett. This is a cool theory on what happened to him. I do like how mystery surrounds his death, but this very well could be and would be an awesome way for him to go out, much like the many stories he wrote. I never figured this one out until he called him Ambrose. Very powerful, Jim. Excellent. This sort of reminds me of The Story of a Conscience where the one man is determined to kill the other man and the other man seems all right with it and ready to die. Such a great story, Jim. Thank you for this one.
Hey thanks Parker, glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, he was old. Had asthma all his life pretty much, fought in major Civil War battles, including Chickamauga, Shiloh and Kennesaw Mountain. He suffered a traumatic brain injury at the latter and never really recovered. Such an interesting guy. Appreciate you reading. - Jim
Great story Jim. It serves a man well to be bold and defiant in the face of certain death. It takes all the power away from the powerful. I really liked the western vibe to this one.
Thanks Jimbo. Westerns seem to be loved universally by a wide, wide range of people, including myself. I find them both simple and complicated to write. There has to be just the right mix of mood, danger, authenticity and attitude. Bierce had to have had major brass ones, didn't give a shit anymore, or really bad judgment...or all three, haha. Interesting writer to say the least. Appreciate you. - Jim
Wonderfully rendered, Jim. I've watched too many westerns and expected a shoot- out. This was more realistic. He had confronted death before and knew when the end had arrived. Hey, 71 was really old back then. Most didn't make it to 50. Now 71 is like 69 :). I really enjoy your narrative style, Brother.
Thanks K.C., appreciate that. I do "aim" for realism and accuracy when I write the occasional western. Damn right it was old for back then. He had asthma and never really recovered from that head injury he sustained in the Civil War either. Bierce was in some major battles too. Must have been a tough old bird. Thanks again for reading. - Jim
Haha, no. No, I don't think he stood a chance in hell. He played a dangerous game down in Mexico...during a revolution...and lost. Many, many theories and not one of those gives him a chance - and shouldn't;) Wrong place, wrong time. - Jim
Thanks Thomas. Appreciate you reading. Yes, he was indeed a real person. He came from nothing, born in Ohio but grew up in Indiana. Dirt poor, one of thirteen siblings. Left home at 15. Served on the Union side in the Civil War as a Lieutenant, was involved in several big battles, suffered a severe head injury but survived He was a well-known writer, poet and journalist. Went down to Mexico in 1913 during their revolution and was said to have rode with Pancho Villa for a short time. Villa was an outlaw, bandit, revolutionary, politician, war lord, etc. At age 71, Bierce vanished, never heard from or seen again. A short story by Bierce titled 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' was my introduction to him. It's very good and I recommend it. It's very well-known so a simple google search will find it easily, if you want to give it a read. The Devil's Dictionary is another famous piece of his. Anyway, sorry to rattle on. Thanks again for reading. - Jim
Haha, yeah, that's one theory....there's certainly no shortage of them. I think I've heard and read most of them. That's why they call it fiction;) Hope you liked it. He had a very interesting life story even without the disappearance. - Jim
Another superb story,Jim. So much tension! I really identify with the line, "I wish not to grow old and feeble. I don’t want to live forever. Besides I’ve lived adventure and seen more than people like you ever will." I, myself, am just about old enough and feeble enough to let go. I've seen more than my fair share. One more year would be nice. How about you?
Thanks for reading and the compliments Sharron, I appreciate it as always. Wasn't really expecting the question you asked at the end. To each, his or her own. But personally? Oh, hell no. I'm not ready to go anywhere yet. I've got grandkids coming that aren't even here yet. I guess I'm sort of a 'It's a Wonderful Life' kind of guy. What would the world be like without you? Despite what you think and feel, you play an important part in this world, you have a place in it, a purpose and a meaning. Most importantly, you are a part of other people's worlds. Other lives would be affected if you check out ahead of schedule. You say you've seen your share but who knows what you haven't seen? What you will see? Not in one more year - but in 2 or 3 years? So me? No way in hell. I'm staying right here until the game clock officially runs out, whenever that may be. Stick around Sharron, you know as well as I do, life is full of surprises. Sometimes, they're right around the corner. - Jim
Thank you, Jim, for perhaps the most thoughtful comment I have ever received. I assure you, I do have much to live for. I am old, but I am not suicidal! ha ha ha. Just keeping my eye on the game clock. Thanks to Substack, I am tying up a few loose ends. Thanks for caring.
You're very welcome. I never even considered you being suicidal. Just responding to your mention of one more year and letting go. Have a great rest of your Sunday and a good start on the week tomorrow. - Jim
I loved this. A man at the end of a glorious and adventurous life and not afraid to go.
Great atmosphere and detail.
Thanks so much Jennifer. Glad you liked it. He has always been a favorite of mine in regards to historical favorites and the disappearance mystery surrounding him. Appreciate the comment. - Jim
This is so good. Atmospheric and tense, I could see it clearly.
Hey, thank you Keith. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and I'm glad you liked it. Appreciate it very much. - Jim
Wow. No that was bad ass. I had no idea that Ambrose Bierce's middle name was Gwinnett. This is a cool theory on what happened to him. I do like how mystery surrounds his death, but this very well could be and would be an awesome way for him to go out, much like the many stories he wrote. I never figured this one out until he called him Ambrose. Very powerful, Jim. Excellent. This sort of reminds me of The Story of a Conscience where the one man is determined to kill the other man and the other man seems all right with it and ready to die. Such a great story, Jim. Thank you for this one.
Hey thanks Parker, glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, he was old. Had asthma all his life pretty much, fought in major Civil War battles, including Chickamauga, Shiloh and Kennesaw Mountain. He suffered a traumatic brain injury at the latter and never really recovered. Such an interesting guy. Appreciate you reading. - Jim
Wow, yes and I believe he had two sons who died as well. He had a rough time, but I love his stories.
Great story Jim. It serves a man well to be bold and defiant in the face of certain death. It takes all the power away from the powerful. I really liked the western vibe to this one.
Thanks Jimbo. Westerns seem to be loved universally by a wide, wide range of people, including myself. I find them both simple and complicated to write. There has to be just the right mix of mood, danger, authenticity and attitude. Bierce had to have had major brass ones, didn't give a shit anymore, or really bad judgment...or all three, haha. Interesting writer to say the least. Appreciate you. - Jim
Cool story, Jim! Reminded me of a lot of the old school westerns I love so much.
Glad you liked it Sean. As always, thanks for reading and commenting. - Jim
Wonderfully rendered, Jim. I've watched too many westerns and expected a shoot- out. This was more realistic. He had confronted death before and knew when the end had arrived. Hey, 71 was really old back then. Most didn't make it to 50. Now 71 is like 69 :). I really enjoy your narrative style, Brother.
Likewise, you have a fitting tone and style for this genre, Jim. Good imagery here as well-Smoke curling like a ghostly snake, etc.
Thanks C. M. - glad you liked it. Appreciate the comments. - Jim
Thanks K.C., appreciate that. I do "aim" for realism and accuracy when I write the occasional western. Damn right it was old for back then. He had asthma and never really recovered from that head injury he sustained in the Civil War either. Bierce was in some major battles too. Must have been a tough old bird. Thanks again for reading. - Jim
So, you say he has a chance...? Fantastic story, Jim!
Haha, no. No, I don't think he stood a chance in hell. He played a dangerous game down in Mexico...during a revolution...and lost. Many, many theories and not one of those gives him a chance - and shouldn't;) Wrong place, wrong time. - Jim
Great story, Jim. You painted the scenes expertly; I was there!
I'm just starting to learn a little Spanish (emphasis on "little") so was able to follow the conversation. (sort of)
The Ambrose Bierce connection was lost on me, sadly. I take it he was a real person?
Thanks Thomas. Appreciate you reading. Yes, he was indeed a real person. He came from nothing, born in Ohio but grew up in Indiana. Dirt poor, one of thirteen siblings. Left home at 15. Served on the Union side in the Civil War as a Lieutenant, was involved in several big battles, suffered a severe head injury but survived He was a well-known writer, poet and journalist. Went down to Mexico in 1913 during their revolution and was said to have rode with Pancho Villa for a short time. Villa was an outlaw, bandit, revolutionary, politician, war lord, etc. At age 71, Bierce vanished, never heard from or seen again. A short story by Bierce titled 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' was my introduction to him. It's very good and I recommend it. It's very well-known so a simple google search will find it easily, if you want to give it a read. The Devil's Dictionary is another famous piece of his. Anyway, sorry to rattle on. Thanks again for reading. - Jim
Thanks for the detailed reply, Jim. I'll have a look for some of his work.
I found the story you mentioned. An excellent read. Thanks for the referral.
Ah excellent. Glad you found it and glad you liked it. My pleasure. - Jim
So that's what happened to Ambrose Bierce, mystery solved! lol.
Haha, yeah, that's one theory....there's certainly no shortage of them. I think I've heard and read most of them. That's why they call it fiction;) Hope you liked it. He had a very interesting life story even without the disappearance. - Jim
Another superb story,Jim. So much tension! I really identify with the line, "I wish not to grow old and feeble. I don’t want to live forever. Besides I’ve lived adventure and seen more than people like you ever will." I, myself, am just about old enough and feeble enough to let go. I've seen more than my fair share. One more year would be nice. How about you?
Thanks for reading and the compliments Sharron, I appreciate it as always. Wasn't really expecting the question you asked at the end. To each, his or her own. But personally? Oh, hell no. I'm not ready to go anywhere yet. I've got grandkids coming that aren't even here yet. I guess I'm sort of a 'It's a Wonderful Life' kind of guy. What would the world be like without you? Despite what you think and feel, you play an important part in this world, you have a place in it, a purpose and a meaning. Most importantly, you are a part of other people's worlds. Other lives would be affected if you check out ahead of schedule. You say you've seen your share but who knows what you haven't seen? What you will see? Not in one more year - but in 2 or 3 years? So me? No way in hell. I'm staying right here until the game clock officially runs out, whenever that may be. Stick around Sharron, you know as well as I do, life is full of surprises. Sometimes, they're right around the corner. - Jim
Thank you, Jim, for perhaps the most thoughtful comment I have ever received. I assure you, I do have much to live for. I am old, but I am not suicidal! ha ha ha. Just keeping my eye on the game clock. Thanks to Substack, I am tying up a few loose ends. Thanks for caring.
You're very welcome. I never even considered you being suicidal. Just responding to your mention of one more year and letting go. Have a great rest of your Sunday and a good start on the week tomorrow. - Jim
👍🏻
Love this, Jim. Another great short story. And I like the Owl Creek connection. That story stuck with many people.
One of twelve other siblings! Dirt poor.
He was the ultimate onion, many layers to peel back. Thanks Alison. - Jim
Ah, I love Ambrose.
Yes ma’am. ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek’ hooked me many years ago. Thanks for reading Liz. Appreciate you. - Jim
So, that's what happened to him... darn...
I think, not sure…
It makes sense...