The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-11-02

ual6u. PauSlng a moment lie drew
from his pocket large pair Of glasses,
wiped them carefully, and placed them
upon his nose. At this move the risi-
bilities Of the crowd burst out anew
and the stranger was saluted with
cries of "Grandpa!" "Humpy!" APP
parently oblivious of the noisy ridicule
that his appearance had provoked, he
spoke a few words to the sheriff.
Then the latter, struggling vainly
with his countenance, announced,
with gusto: Second entry-Henry
Jason, OF San Francisco"
Whitsett was laughing immoderate-
ly. AS soon as he succeeded in re-
ducing his mirth to a very broad smile
he took his place on the mark.
Ready" called the sheriff, watch
in hand. 'sFire!'
Whitsett's hands swept swiftly, al
most mechanically, to the holsters.
The red-sleeyed arms came to an in
credible quick level and stiffened. Six
double reports sounded-and sprink-
ling of black spots showed on the
white surface of the target Still
smoking, the empty pistols were fish,
ed into their holsters. Then both
hands few upward, touched for an in
slant the shoulders, and shot out
steel-and again came six rapid dou-
BILE reports. Whitsett showed the pis-
tolls quickly into the shoulder holsters
and staggered into the background
The sheriff ran down to the target,
counted the shots, and made note
of the result Then he returned and
mounted the box.
Score of Tim Whitsett! Time:
Thirteen seconds. Target score: Four
in the bulls eye, nine in the first ring,
six in the second, five in the third.
This breaks the time record and tar
get record made by Mr.. Whitsett last
year"
The crowd responded but family. 1t
hated to see Whitsett win.
Jason's face was stern and immov-
able as he took his position. The
laugh that had started among the
crowd died away involuntarily. Whit
sett's face alone wore an expansive
smile of contempt. After all the
crowd had begun to think that there
was something inscrutably cool and
business-like about this little misshap-
en- tenderfoot.
Jason's eyes were fixed alertly up
on the target. At the word "Fire!"
the blue, damasceened pistols leaped
so swiftly into his skinny fingers that
the spectators could not follow the
movement with their eyes. They saw
only a flashing double crescent of
steel. Then, before anyone had COM
pretended what was happening both
pistols we're whirling high in the air.
San Marcial held it's breath. In a
moment the pistols had descended,
and twelve reports rang out so rapid
ly that they seemed to blend into six.
With quick twist the wonderful lit
tie stranger sent the guns into their
holsters. Again, almost before the
thoroughly amazed crowd knew what
was taking place, new pistol glisten-
ed in each of Jason's hands. This
time only one pistol flew into the air
and as it whirled in the sunlight, the
magician discharged the other twice
in lightning like succession. Then,
deity catching the descending pistol,
he emptied both guns with incredi-
BILE rapidity and seemingly without
AIM Returning the pistols to their
holsters with some quickness, he lean
ed cody against the judges box, his
face as inscrutable as ever.
Then San Marcial went wild. They
did not wait for the score-they knew
good shooting when they saw it. They
ed one-even if he did happen to be a
tenderfoot Whitsett, with scowl of
rage on his bloated face, skunk into
the crowd. He knew that he was beat
en-knew that San Marcial rejoiced in
his defeat.
The sheriff hurried across the lot
and examined the target AS he once
more mounted his box the silence was
profound.
Score Of Merry Jason, San Fran
cisco. Time: Eleven and one-half
seconds. Target score: Seven in the
bulls eye, twelve in the first ring,
FIVE in the second. Which breaks all
records" The sheriff drew himself
up to his full height, and as soon as
the shouts and cheers of the crowd
had subsidized, went on: AS sheriff of
this county and in behalf of my fell
low citizens, want to apologize, Mr..
Jason, for the shabby way we treated
you. And | want to congratulate you,
Mr.. Jason, on the finest handling of
shooting irons ever seen in Arizona!"
Thereupon he handed Jason five shin
ing twenties.
Jason pocketed them with murmur-
ed thanks, bowed low to the crowd,
and repaired at once to the saloon
where, surrounded by an admiring
group of citizens, he cleaned and pol
ished his pistols until the blue, dam
asceened barrels fairly sparkled. This
done he replaced them carefully in