Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-06-28

had been branded twice. ane 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 infre-
qucnt Visits. He had killed his man.
and had been known to boast of it sew
eral times in Flynn's saloon. After
this last quarrel he had sworn to
shoot Copperthwait on sight. The quar-
rel 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 Dukew 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
flash, 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 DELHI
Grated in the hot back room under the
tin roof Of the court house.
II guess my hands are a little too
soft to play" said the Judge good-na-
turedly, feeling qualm as to the ap-
propriateness Of his joining actively
in the sport, 'but I'll be umpire If you
want me-"
The two teams were quickly formed.
the "Comanches" and the Sioux" The
Sioux won the toss and took the field.
and the Comanches were struck out in
one, two, three order. When the sides
changed Hardy, the prosecuting attor
ney, 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 by 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
"softnesS in the condition Of the play
ers, and a noticeable tendency to let
swift balls go by rather than grapple
them with fingers unused to the hard
impact. Wild throws to bases were
not infrequent, and in consequence
there was much base stealing and hi
larious sarcasm from the players on
both teams. The official relations of
these men were, for the time, lost sight
of; they were merely healthy, enthu-
isastic Americans, feeling the joy Of
tingling blood in their veins, the zest
of friendly competition and Of physical
exercise.
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.
Justafter play had commenced Hardy
knocked hot grounder to "short."
who fielded the ball swiftly to first
base. The baseman caught it, putting
Hardy out, and then quietly remarked:
THAT settles me. Look at this
thumbv
"See here, old man." Hardy painted,
examining 1t, ''it's broken"
well, 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 dep
uty; II amt played ball since"
go on with the gamer! cried a doz-
en- others excitedly. "Some one, any
one take the base"
Here, Copperthwait, play first base;
we've only got to hold 'em down this
inning, and We'll beat 'em easy. There
Is one out already"
Copperthwait looked uncertainty at
the deputy, then the Judge, and quick
ly pulled off his coat and stepped to
the base.
go ahead he said, quietly; I'll
play"
The Comanches failed to make a run
during the rest of the inning, and when
the Sioux came in they made two runs
almost at once, tying the score, amid
great enthusiasm.
AS Copperthwait came to the bat It
was evident that the psychological mo-
ment Of the sport had arrived. Every
thing had been completely forgotten
save the game, and so intense was the
interest that the approach of the court
house janitor was entirely unnoticed.
He had come slowly down from the
steps, and after a few moments Of
bewildered surprise stood leaning
against a tree near the catcher, watch
ing the prisoner as he slowly moved