Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-09-02
sgconp-sIoHr sHoorIMo.
An Old Marksman's sad Shot at Flee
ing Convict

An Old MartssmRn's Sad Shot at a Flee
ing Convict
One night an old fellow came TO
the stockade where the convicts were
penned and said that he had heard
that more guards were needed.
owe do need more guards. the
superintendent replied. "but do you
think that You can serve our pur-
poser
Eyes, think can"
"But you're pretty old"
81 know that, but I've got my sec
Ond sight. and can shoot a gun
about as well as ] ever could, and
that's one OF the main requirements,
reckon.
"Yes. the orders are sIrict-shoot
any convict that attempts TO get
away. But il strikes me that you are
little too old "
The old fellow stood under lamp
swinging from crossbeam in the
guard-room. His gray whiskers and
his white hair. catching the moving
light and the following shadow. gave
him weirdly venerable look.
NOW, You may think I'm too old.
but I'm not, =" he urged. "I'll kill any
man that tries TO get away; and, not
only this, II they should try to over
power me. they'll find me the handi-
est man with gun they ever saw.
Cap'n. 1 wish you'd give me this
place. for need it, Somehow j
haven't the heart TO do much Of any
thing, and for a good while have
just been drifting from one place 70
another Family's all gone-wife's
dead and my children are scattered
everywhere. Give me the place.
captain. and I'll do my duty
What Is your namea''
We'll. have been called Old Am
brose' so long that ! hardly know
what my other name is. Reckon
you'd better call me ola Ambrose. /"
II don't know whether TO take you
or not, Ir Ambrose
old Ambrose. If you please"
"All right, then. Old Ambrose A.
/ was saying. don't know whether
TO take YOU or not. a number OF
convicts have got away Lately. and
the lessee Is held responsible, and he.
Of course. looks to me,
"Didn't tell you Id got my second
sight?"
Yes. that's all very well. but still
am afraid But we DO need another
man. Arc you willing 10 get up
mornings at 5 o'clock.
My dear sir, ] can't sleep after 4
o'clock
"You can stand diet Of corn
bread and bcef?n
My dear sir, wheat breal gives
me dyspepsia, and beef IS ny only
meat
"All right Mr.. Ambrose
's0ld Ambrose. sir.
"All right. Old Ambrose, III Try
you for a while any way. To-mor-
row morning You win go with the
/ gang TO the second embankment,
about two miles from here, and you'll
have to get up earlier than o'clock.
''All right. sir,
And think you'd better turn in
now, so as TO get enough sleep"
II viii. sir.
by the way. your guns in The
Z corner.
Thank you. sir.
Early the aext morning the old
man moved ont with the squad. ant
just befare the emhankment was
reached he thus addressed a brothe,
guard:
II hated to do this kind Of work,
but the truth is I'm hardly fit for any.
thing. I've travelled 200 miles since
/ ] had regular job. and made /
dead set at this one, and I'm goine
+ 20 keep IL II / can. l reckon AL {
man has before him is his duty, and
! never had any duty TO scare me
i yet hope / won't have to shoot al
one Of these convicts. for, as I said
last night. I've got my second sight,
\ and a man that ever could shoot car
shoot better than ever when his sec,
ond sight comes
Old Ambrose stood at one end o.
the embankment Ii was just about
daylight. Suddenly convict fell
rolled down the embankment and
then. springing TO his feet, made a
\ iANAM ava a NhNA NV a r ANeiA 0Ac fancy
away.
"IInltr' Old Ambrose cried. The
convict paid no attention Three
times did Old Ambrose cry halt, and
then fred. The convict fell.
You got him, said the construc.
tion boss, coming forward,
"Yes. and / know he's done for
was going TO shoot him in the leg,
but just as | pulled the trigger h,
stepped into low place; I'm going
over TO see the poor fellow.
/ The construction boss went with
him 1t was now broad daylight
The convict lay on his face Tn,
construction boss turned him over
"Merciful Godm Old Ambrose cried
sinking on his knees Itwas his son
Wise Mans wits Gone Assray.
Noonlar ,,rnfasenY ~ fbanlncrxs ~