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

Knew IhtnE or Two.
From the Chicago Daily Tribune.
The shooting gallery man has discov-
cred a sure thing" department for his
establishment which nets him many dol
lars and cents at the expense of the young
man about town who thinks he knows a
thing or two about shooting. The scheme
is known to the trade as the prize
fake"
The special prey Of the shooting par
lor" or gallery, is the individual who
goes through life with unbounded faith
in his ability TO smash all previous rec
ords at target shooting. He remembers
only good scores, and charges all misses
to want of practice or to some imaginary
fault of the gun.
This is phase of human conceit which
shooting gallery men turn to their own ac-
count.
In many of the galleries to be found in
the cheap" parts of the city cash prizes
are offered for perfect scores on certain
difficult targets. The prizes vary from 20
cents to several dollars, but history has
recorded the names of but few who can
beast of beating the game" which is
particularly difficult when the man OF
guns is allowed the chance to get in his
fine work" during the trial of skin.
If the shooter shows the least bit of
skill, such as would indicate a possibility
Of winning the prize, it is an easy matter
to slip an imperfect cartridge into the gun
one with fiat ball works best because
It will not fly straight. Sometimes
blanks" are used. Ii is quite easy 10
move one of the sights a tri1e. They can
be left loose for the purpose. Still an
other plan is to change guns on some pre-
text. This gives the opportunity 10 sub
stitute one with sights fixed" for the
occasion.
II the shooter knows his business he
will attend to the loading of the gun and
permit no one to handle it while he is
making his score.
Demonstrations of the tricks of the
shooting gallery "fakirs" can be wit
messed any day. Any one of them will
serve to enlighten bhe public as to the
methods used
How much do you charge for shootin
them guns?" inquired a big, sunburnt
man, whose appearance marked him as
countryman, as he entered the door Of
shooting parlor" on the levee the
other afternoon.
Ten shots for 10 cents" answered the
proprietor.
Guess that's a little too high for me-"
said the visitor, as he turned to go. II
don't care much about shootin' no how
just killing time till the noon train starts
for indiana heard that little, bell ring
ing Indicating the noisy electric gong
over the door, and jest allowed I would
drop in. No hard feelings, 1 hope?'
"Oh, that's all right, come in" said the
Tsa1T.
few shots If you make good score
you get your money back and a prize
throwed in"
At the mention of prize" the strang-
er hesitated and betrayed a newly awak-
ened interest.
Whats yer prize?"
See that row of little white birds back
there?" asked the man of guns and tar
gets, jerking his head in the direction of
a siXty-foot range, at the end of which
was place row of cast iron birds about
the size of canaries. IF you hit ten
without miss you get s., and your
shooting for nothing"
How do you know when you hit emp"
asked the stranger, in a tone that indi-
Gated both caution and suspicion.
"Oh, they are fixed in hinges and the
bullet knocks 'em over-if you hit EN-
it's dead easy-any one can do It, There's
a Teller who comes in here every day,
sometimes
The stranger was apparently all ears
and interest now. He measured the length
of the range with his eye. and after look
ing at the row of targets a minute, glanced
at the cheap guns behind the counter
He seemed to take in all the surround
ings without a second look. The cleo
trio lights were badly placed, making
shadows where the light should be strong
est. The counter fenced off in small
square space in the front end of the
long narrow room. The wall at the fur
Their end of the room was lined with sheet
iron and almost covered with a variety
of targets
A badly trimmed arc light swung in the
center and row of gas jets with tin re-
Electors threw a Pickering light on the
glaring white targets.
The proprietor busted himself in polish
ing a gun stock with piece of red flannel,
apparently with great care.
lie was sharp-nosed, understood man
with foxy" look. His prospective GUS
TONER was type of "greenhorn'' always
70 be found among the waiting passen-
street
Wish to try it?" asked the proprietor.
ne stranger edged up a little nearer.
by thunder! Wish 1 had my hog rife
mere! | bet I could knock the heads off
every darn one of them birdsr
pSbl THESE SulS-IieSL III the
city-made for exhibition at the worlds
lar ana sighted to split a hair at fifty
Bore is too small and sights are too
e2arse' was the brief comment of the
SIadhger who had picked up gun mean
"nIe' and taken in its greatest faults
SIter moments inspection. The man
ggMnd the counter looked up quickly.
ne began to realize that the granger
"1gW something about gun after all
me stranger placed two nickels and
I'VE pennies on the counter.
Nuess III try my luck" he said, as he
TrlLiahGed the largest gun in one hand.
men men ne picked some dust out of the near
sni with the point of a pin, and after
gJ9AIhg through the barrel to see if it was
IN remarked that the rifles" were
d.ausd This statement the proprietor
t,sd and the other remarked that It
f.iu make little difference, as the dis
''rse was short.
iish ne jerked a cartridge into position.
- 80, II the trigger was hard" or
ana made ready 10 shoot.
~. move indicated that he was any
To H but a novice with firearms. In the