Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-08-18
sEcoND-sIoHT SHOOTING.
An Old Marksman's Sad Shot at Fleeing
Convict,


An Old Marksman's Sad Shot at Fleeing
Convict.
One night an old fellow came to
the stockade where the conylcts were
penned and said that he had heard
that more guards were needed.
"We do need more guards" the
Superintendent replied, "but do you
think that you can serve our pur-
pose?"
ayes, l think l can"
"But you're pretty old.
Il know that, but I've got my
second sight, and l can shoot a gun
about as we'll as | ever could, and
that's one Of the main requirements,
| reckon.
ayes; the orders are strict-shoot
any convict that attempts to get
away. But it strikes me that you are
a little too Old"
The old fellow stood under a lamp
swinging from a crossbeam 10 the
guardroom. His gray whiskers and
his white hair catching the moving
light and the following shadow, gave
him a 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, if they sho.ld try to over
power me they'll find me the handiest
man with a gun they ever saw.
Cap'n, l wish you'd give me the
place, for l need It, Somehow |
haven't the heart to do much Of any
thing, and for a good while | have
just been drifting from one place to
another. Family's all gone-wife's
dead, and my children are scattered
eyerywhers. Give me the place, Cap
tain and I'll do my duty.
What is your name?"
swell, l have been called odd
Ambrose so long that | hardly know
what my other name is. Reckon
you'd better call me Old Ambrose
Il don't know whether to take you
or not, Mr. Ambrose"
"Old Ambrose, If you please"
AL right then, Old Ambrose. As |
was saying, l don't know whether to
take you or not. A number Of con-
yicts have got away lately, and the
lessee is held responsible, and he, OF
course, looks to me-"
Didn't l tell you Id got my second
sight?"
YES, that's all very we'll, but still
I am afraid. But we do need an.
other man. Are you willing to get
up mornings at O. clOck?"
my dear sir, can't sleep after 4
O. clock"
"You can stand a diet Of corn bread
and beef"
any dear sir, wheat bread gives
me dyspepsia, and beef is my only
meat"
"All right, Mr. Ambrose"
"Old Ambrose, sir"
"All right then, Old Ambrose. I'll
try you for a while, any way To
morrow morning you will 60 with
gang to the second embankment,
about two miles from here, and you'll
have to get up earlier than > o'clock. y
All right, sir"
And l think you'd better turn in
now, so as to get enough sleep"
Il will, sir.
by the way your guns in the
corner"
THANK YOU, sir"
Early the next morning the old
man moved out with the squad, and
Just before the embankment was
reached he thus addressed a brother
guard: Il hate to do this kind OF
work, but the truth is I'm hardly fit
for anything. I've travelled two hun
dred miles since I had a regular job,
and l made a dead set at this one.
and I'm going to keep it if | can. |
reckon all man has before him is
his duty, and l never had my duty to
scare me yet l hope l won't have
to shoot at one of these convicts, for,
as | said last night, I've got my
second sight, and a man that ever
could shoot can shoot better than
ever when his second sight comes"
Old Ambrose stood at one end OF
the embankment. 1t was just about
daylight. Suddenly a convict fell,
rolled down the emblnkment, and
then, springing to his feet, made
break for a wood not a great distance
away.
Halt" 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'
ton boss, coming forward.
"Yes, and | know he's done for. |
was going to shoot him in the leg
but just as l pulled the trigger he
stepped in a 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. The
construction boss turned him over
"Merciful God.7 Old Ambrose cried,
sinking upon his knees. 1t was his
son. Chicago Journal.