Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-01-10
NOT DOWN IN THE BILLS.
A OuriOus scene ia a Bewery Thea.
ser.

A Curious scene ia "a BeWery Thea. {
ser.
New York Cor. Chicago Times.l
A lively scene, not in the bills, !
occurred at the London Theater,
on the Bowery, the other night,
which, for wonder, has not been
mentioned in the papers. Sports
men know that Captain Bogardus,
the famous wing-shot, has long
tried in vain to get on pigeon or
glass ball match with Ira Paine, his
formidable rival, in the East. He
has offered Paine his own choice of
gun, rules and terms. But Paine,
it seems, though much given to
boasting of his pre-eminence, has
no desire to risk his reputation in
a public contest with Bogardus.
He kept talking though, as big as
ever, and this unfortunate propen-
sity produced results that were en-
barrassing on the occasion in ques-
ton. Paine has a shooting engage
ment at the London Theater, where
he skaters a hundred glass balls
nightly in very quick time. 1t has
been a part of his regular "stage
business to advance to the foot
lights and issue general challenge
to the whole world to shoot a match
with him at five hundred balls for
$4,000. Bogardus, who was filling
similar engagement at the Olym-
pic Theater, heard of this little bit
of pomposity and resolved to ac-
cept the challenge. He visited
the London Theater recently, sat
down quietly and unobServed in a
back seat, and waited for the great
shooting act. Paine, as usual, an
nounced himself as the champion
of the world, and threw down the
gauntlet to the entire shooting fra
ternity.
:" l accept your challenge. Put
up your money" came a lusty cry
from near the theater entrance.
Paine looked daggers at the in
truder who had dared to interrupt
his performance. Everybody turned
to look at the presumptious indivi-
dual. Bogardus then walked down
the aisle toward the stage, holding
a package of greenbacks toward his
rival.
"Here's $500 forfeit. Cover it. l
accept your challenge. We can ap-
point a stake holder and arrange
the match, Come, I'll take you at
your own offer"
Paine was terribly nonplussed
when he saw the familiar face ol
the Western sportsman. 1t wal
rather embarrassing in the face o.
a large audience to be confronted,
right on the heels of his pompoul
and sweeping challenge, by mar
whom he wouldn't meet profession
ally upon any terms. He colore(
and tried to bluster; told the ush
ers to "take that man away;" anC
said something about his ability anC
willingness to shoot a match will
Mr.. BOgardus at any time.
"Then put up or shut up," shout
ed Bogardus, waving his green
backs. "I'm anxious to make {
match. If you're so willing to shoe
with me, just cover this money
Bogardus by this time was close t,
the stage and shouting his defanct
over the heads of the orchestra
The audience was in an uproar. Tn,
most did not know Bogardus, ant
their sympathies being natural,
with the man on the stage, they
raised a chorus of ''Put him out,
which was Swelled by the voices o
all the theater employees. Paine
tried to look dignifed, but his sur
prise was so great, and the immi
nent need of backing squarely
down was so pressing, that he coul(
not conceal his chagrin and vexa
tion. He dawdled on his gun, STAN
mered, and at length with the re
mark that he couldn't go on will
his exhibition in the midst OF 81
much confusion, went to the rea
of the stage and sat down. A mar
came out from behind the sceneI
and told Bogardus to sit down anC
be quiet or he would be placed il
charge of an officer. Bogardus al
length beat voluntary retreat, tell
ing Paine, as a parting shot, that hC
had talked too loud and dared no
live up to his own challenges.
: shooting a snipe a Minute.
| TOl. NJ n.-I....s DE- ,,,,, =, 49,, =, 1