The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-12-02
USED AS A BUIISEYE


my share. But compared with Corp.
Fred Mayield was laundering muff.
Mary Mayield. his 19-year-old sister,
was the handsomest girl in Dumb!eton,
and knew 1t, and so did several other
fellows, notably young George Kemp
ster, who was lance-corporal in the
same company.
1t was on the Saturday before the
Wimbledon meeting that our company
held match. at which our selected
marksmen were pitted against those Of
the neighboring county battalion. I
was one of the number and remem-
Der with pride-for Mary was present
that after bringing up 80 from 200
yards and 20 from 500 yards, finished
up at 600 yards with 30, making my
score 81, good performance in those
days.
George Kempster was down next, and
am ashamed to confess that 1t was
not without triumphant glance and a
smile toward Mary that saw him fin
ish with rs and total Of "a.
After George and another fellow had
concluded at 600 we adjourned for re-
freshment and no sooner mad the red
flag been hoisted in the mantlets than
the marker ran out.
1t appeared that bullet had splash
ed and tiny speck Of lead had en-
tered his eye-and was causing him
great pain.
As the only non-com who had con-
cluded his shooting, Kempster was
chosen, and whether it was to take care
of him or help him dodge the splashes
don't know. but the captain asked me
to accompany him.
The target itself, a heavy iron plate,
stood supported by stout Orders some
six feet from the bank Of earth in the
rear. In the middle Of the plate-to
be more precise, the six-inch bull" it.
self had been cut out from the re-
mainder Of the target, and when shoot
ing was in progress was fitted in its
place by heavy bolt that dropped
from above.
never understood the reason for this
curious contrivance, but once heard
our old sergeant instructor explain that
some years ago, when prize shoot
took place for live pigs and poultry.
the unfortunate animals were placed in
the aperture and were claimed by the
marksman who killed them.
had made the plate look spick and
span, and had gone behind in the shade
to rest, when suddenly heavy hand
was laid upon my shoulders and an
other on my mouth, and before could
move l was thrown heavily to the
ground. AS l recovered from the
shock of the fall recognized the face
Of Kempster, sadly changed, hot and
cruel.
He had rope, and was binding my
arms to my side, rolling me over and
to and fro as though l were dog.
When next looked up he was stand
ing beside me, and l felt my limbs
securely bound together.
Miserable little curl" he Kissed.
"You thought you'd rob me of her, and
win her for your own. I saw you
smile and show your vulgar pride when
1 failed at 900 yards!"
l saw him remove the small black
circle from its place, and fasten across
the space a thick black cloth; then I
was jerked to my feet, and my back
pressed against the stiff iron plate,
whilst the mailman silently and swift
ly bound me fast by neck and feet and
body.
Remember" he whispered, May
field Is shooting. Seems queer that he
should murder you, eh?" He laughed,
and he was gone.
Ping! and distant report and out
from the mantlet came the black and
white signal. Surely Fred could not
be shooting; he had never got so low
as that for months.
A dull thud, and up few the white
signal! Bulls eye! What did it
mean? Was hit?
When came to myself crowd of
relocated soldiers stood about me,
hu0 6Uu0 Ouo Wdo UdlAiu6 MY UIOW.
It was Fred.
"All right, old chap" he whispered.
think smiled, and as / turned my
head saw body being carried away
on hurdle. Was killed, and did
see my own funeral? / relapsed into
inconsistencies.
Now was in house, and some one
with soft, cool hands smoothed my
forehead. It was Mary. Others were
standing near-my mother, and Fred,
and our sergeant.
When at last heard the story from
Fred's own lips, all the horrid details
came back to my mind. 1t was Fred
shooting; but how badly he shot that
day was remarked by every one. He
seemed nervous, and his rifle shook in
his hands.
His first and second shots were poor,
but at his third some shadow appeared
to cross his sight, and as he pulled the
trigger his left hand dropped, and
every one saw the shot strike the bank
in front.
To the CONSERVATION of the onlook-
ers, bullseye was signalled, and the
captain of the opposing team immed-
lately challenged the shot. The bugle
was sounded, but no answer was given,
and no marker made his appearance.
Then some one ran across the mea-
dow to ascertain the cause, and there
at the butts found two apparently dead
men. One was dead-poisoned by his
own hand; but the other, strapped and
bound to the target, had only tainted.
and help was soon at hand to coax him
back to life.
George Kempster, hearing the dull
thud, and concluding that his grim pur-
pose was accomplished, had signalled
a bull" and Immediately poisoned
himself
Poor Fred has never fired a rifle
since.