The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-08-27


spent away from your family whom you
love. Even supposing that no accident oc-
ours TO excite the wrath of the firm that
might cost you your position, in due course
of time you will be worn out. feeble ard
acts on the part of Dunlaw came under our
notice.
The third day after tho above Incidents
took place we were off duty. 1t had
threatened rain during the morning, and
the day proved dark and cloudy. Shortly
after noon one of our party, anxious TO see
some specimens of the famed rifle shoot
ing of the West, took from his baggage a
fnely-mounted powder-fask, which he
offered as prize to the best shot
. There were half-a- dozen volunteers, and
the details We're speedily arranged. Three
shots each were to be allowed, at one hum
dred and fifty PAGES, and the man whose
three shots made the shortest string meas
uring from the centre of the bulls-eye, was
to receive the flask.
Jack Dunlaw and Stephen Ranney were
among the contestants. / had been quite
curious to see how these two persons would
meet, but l noticed no change in the young
mans department.. He spoke but little,
and when the list was arranged for the
precedence, voluntarily took the last place
Then folding his arms and leaning
against the doorway, bs carefully watched
the trial
Jack was one of the first to try his skill,
and when three shots had been fred it was
found that one of his bullets had struck
within an inch of the centre, while the other
two were not more than half an inch far
ther removed.
-Four inches ~ the surveyor announced,
after carefully measuring the distance Of
the several shots.
"Yas," gTowled Jack, throwing himself
upon bench; "Tn wait here till you
beat that, some on yer, and lohea yer
dew it ye kin take that ther little powder
box"
The others fred in their several turns,
and our party was quite surprised to find
the shooting no more accurate. Indeed we
began to look with distrust upon the won-
derful stories Of romance writers.
All had fred at last save Stephen
Ranney, and Jack had made much the
shortest string.
The young man took his place, and
raised his rife, which was considerably
shorter than any of the others.
"Look here, youngster," growled Jack,
with wink to his admirers, you'd better
have pop-gun; that wouldn't hurt any
body, and you'd be jst as likely tew
hit the mark as yer viii with that boys
rlaythng."
Stephen made no reply, but placing his
weapon in rest, bowed his cheek to the
breech, and the next moment the sharp re-
port rang out.
"In the edge Of the bulrs-eye, half an
inch from the centre !" shouted the marker.
.The best shot yet"
"Ifs an accident He can't hit the board
next time ~ cried Jack.
saw from his manner that he was get
ting excited and angry; hut Stephen reload
ed his weapon in the most unconcerned man
ner imaginable. As he was about to fire,
Jack walked toward the target to mark the
effect of the shot.
1t was given as promptly az the first, and
to the surprise of every one, it struck al
most exactly in the centre of the bull's-eye.
But without waiting to hear the result,
Stephen turned to reload his piece.
With stride like that Of an enraged ele-
phant, Jack Dunlaw moved up to the side
of his successful competitor.
"Don't ye dar' do that ag'in =" he Kissed.
between his shut jaws. "If yer do, twill
be hard day for yer. Now mark what L
tell yer 1 amt goin' to fool around no
upstart like you. Ye've made lucky hit
twice; now let that end it ~
The young man made no answer; but I
saw his cheek become shade paler, and
his hand triie less steady, as he rammed
home the bullet. Then, with lips tightly
compressed, and eyes fixed upon the target,
he dropped upon one knee, and leveled his
rife.
Now don't yer make another mistake r'
was Jacks last sdmonition, accompanied
by a shake of the fist so close to the young
mans face that 1 began to feel like grasp
ing the bully from behind and dragging
him from the scene.
The third shot sped as the others had
done, and then the young man sprang to
.
a manner which showed that patience had
nearly ceased to be his ruling virtue Still
/ could not anticipate the scenes which
were to follow.
| The last bullet had struck just outside
the bulls eye, and after carefully measur-
ing the three, Tom Tarbox, he who had
I offered the prize, and kept the measure
ments, stepped up among the crowd now
! gathered. and said
| "Gentlemen, Iir. Ranney has made the
| best record, his three shots measuring but
| two inches; so to him 1 give the flask, ac-
! cording to agreement"
He reached forth the prize as he spoke,
but before the young man could take it,
Jack snatched it from the surveyors hand
and thrust it into bis pocket. No one