The San Francisco call., 1905-04-23


had been branded twice. one mark over
the other, and the dispute arose over
this. Duke, the victim of the shooting,
had borne a bad reputation, and the
village street was usually more or less
uneasy .during his infrequent visits.
He had killed his man. and had been
known to boast of ii several times in
Flynn's saloon. After this last quarrel
he had sworn to shoot Copperthwait on
sight. The quarrel had occurred in the
morning. That afternoon Copperthwait
had just left the Eagle Hotel. to mount
his mustang tied to the hitching post
in front, when Duke happened to turn
the corner.
Here comes Duket' a bystander ex-
claimed. Copperthwait started and
caught sight of his adversary. Duke
stopped short and put his hand behind
him, and Copperthwait. quick as a
fash, fired once and put a bullet be-
tween Dukes eyes He had offered no
resistance to arrest, and now was in
the rough little jail near by while the
twelve good men and true deliberated
in the hot back room under the tin
roof of the courthouse.
guess my hands are a little too
soft to play" said the Judge good ma
turedly. feeling a qualn as to the ap-
proprlateness of his joining actively in
the sport: but I'll be umpire IL you
want me"
The two teams were quickly formed
the "Comanches' against the Sioux" :"
The Sioux won the toss and. took the
field, and the Comanches were struck
out in one, two, three order. Whentthe
sides changed, Hardy the prosecuting
attorney, took the box and Blake, the
junior counsel for the defense. caught
him. After much urging the Judge had
consented to preside. over first base,
since Mr.. Hackett had positively re-
fused to play, and had been made UNI
pire bv general acclaim AS soon as
his Honor found himself coatless and
: on the field he threw himself into the
battle with the greatest enthusiasm.
There was many an evidence of soft
ness" in the condition Of the players.
and a noticeable tendency to let swift
balls go by rather than grapple them
with fingers unused to the hard i'm
pact. Wild throws to bases We're not
infrequent, and in consequence there
was much base stealing and hilarious
sarcasm from the players on both
teams. The official relations Of these
men were, for the time, lost sight of;
they were merely healthy. enthusiastic
Americans, feeling the joy of tingling
blood in their veins, the zest of friend
ly competition and Of physical exer-
else.
At the beginning Of the fourth and
concluding inning the Deputy Sheriff
had come up with the prisoner. who
was not. handcuffed. and they became
interested spectators. Copperthwait's
nerve had been superb throughout the
trial. and he seemed to take an intense
interest in the game.
Just after play had commenced
Hardy knocked a hot grounder to
short" who fie1ded the ball swiftly
to first base. The baseman caught it,.
putting Hardy out. and then quietly
remarked:
THAT settles me. Look at this
thumb"
'.See, here. old man." Hardy painted.
examining 1t, ''it's broken"
We'll, never mind: let somebody
take my place. Here, some one-you.
Mulligan. Come and take the base.
I'm out of it,
Guess not said Mulligan. the
deputy; 81 amt played ball since"
''Go on with the camel" cried a
dozen others excitedly. Some one,
anv one take the base"
Here. Coppefthwait, play first base;
we've only got to hold 'em down this
inning, and We'll beat EN- easy.
There's one out already"