The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-04

IN the crack OF a gun which can lure the
average man from almost any occupation.
The stranger pulled the rim OF his big
nat low over his forehead to shade his
eyes from the binding glare OF the arc
light, which was placed in front, instead
Of behind the counter. as it should have
been. The first shot was fired after con-
siderable deliberate aiming, and bird No.
i went down out Of sight, with a bullet
mark fair in the center.
That's one,' said the proprietor en-
couragingly.
The stranger was too intent on the work
IN hand 10 notice the remark. and the
silence Of the next minute was broken
only by the whip-lilxe crack OF the target
rifle and the metallic click Of the gun me
chanism as a fresh cartridge was raised
from the mazagine to the breech. At regU-
lar intervals of less than ten seconds seven
shots were fired and seven birds went
down. Then the shooter lowered the gun
from his shoulder for the first time. But
three birds remained TO be hit. From the
crowd came murmur of applause, which
neither the proprietor nor the stranger
seemed TO notice. The latter was cool;
the former was trife nervous.
The cigar man smiled.
As the stranger prepared to shoot again
he was interrupted by the proprietor. who
suggested that he change guns. but this
offer Of another gun was declined. This
one is doing first rate the shooter said.
1t is customary TO change guns" urged
the proprietor.
The only reply was a shake of the head.
Then the gun cracked again and only two
birds remained in sight.
The proprietor was growing desperate.
Let me see that gum" he demanded,
reaching out for il.
The countryman stepped back from the
counter. Something appeared in mis- face
that was not there before He looked fix
edly at the other a moment then shook
his head and again raised the gun TO shoot.
The proprietor stepped in front of him.
His face was white with rage.
Who is running this placer he yelled.
DO you think you can come in here and
bluff me? Give me that gunr'
If the loud talking was intended to rat
tie" the stranger 1t did not work. lie was
| apparently as cool as ever. He made no
reply.
The proprietor had one more card to
play Speaking to one of the men in the
crowd, he said: Jim get a policeman here
| quick. I'll see if a tough gent can come
here and run this place"
He didn't mean it. "Jim" understood
| perfectly and didn't 90. but a small boy
| did.
The tough gent looked surprised
Lets be fair" he said "All ! want is a
fair shake for my money. 'Taint fair to
ask Teller to change guns if he don I
want TOLL leave 1t 10 the crowd"
He turned to those about the door, ex-
peCting their support. but the crowd re-
| mained silent. The cigar man smiled
again.
Just then the policeman entered the
door. The stranger saw him and, turn
ing quickly toward the targets, raised the
gun and fired twice. The shots came al
! most simultaneously. The move was made
so quickly that it was all over before any
one realized his intention. Then all eyes
were turned toward the targets. There
were no birds in sight.
Whats the row." demanded the police
man. The man behind the counter COM
| menced to tell a long tale of how the
stranger had tried to run the place"
Then the other man told his story briefly.
The policeman understood. Turning 70
the man of guns, he said: PAY the man
what you owe him or I'll tell the captain.
Take your choice
With five big silver dollars In his pocket
the stranger boarded the train for In
diana an hour later. Before going he con-
fded to his new-found friend, the police
man, that he had won first prize at the an
nual Shanetown turkey shoot" every
year since 1887, and his dad" had made a
similar record before him.