Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-04-25

glory TO myself and. worse than that.
let in my friends for loss, for Steven
son Informed me that in spite Of the
fact that had never shot in race a
number OF wagers were backing me
against the Englishman. | reasoned
however, that these responsibilities
should not be considered by one who
needed perfect command OF himself
Moreover. although | had never shot
at trapped birds. reasoned that a
bird In the air was dying bird after
all, whether from trap or tree. Then.
again. | was offended at Orme's air Of
superiority. Lastly. though ii might
be the fault OF the Cowles' blood TO
accept any sort OF challenge. it was
not our way to regret that SO soon as
the day following.
The grounds for the match had been
arranged at the usual place. near to
the edge of the military reservation
and here a half hour before the time
set there began TO gather practically
all OF the young officers about the post,
all the enlisted men who could get
leave, with cooks, strikers. laundreSScS
and other scattered personnel Of the
barracks. There came as well many
civilians from the city, and was sur
priSed to see n line of carriages with
many ladies drawn up back Of the
score, Evidently our little matter was
to be made a Semifashionabe affair.
Orme shook hands with me and de
clared he was feeling We'll although
Major Williams laughingly announced
that he had not been able to make his
man so to bed for more than an hour
that morning or to keep him from eat
ing and drinking everything he could
lay his hands upon. Yet now his eye
was bright, his skin firm. his step
light and easy.
What boundary do we use, gentle
men," Orme asked as he looked on;
over the field This question showed
his acquaintance, but none the less his
confidence and his courage as we'll
for in closely made matches all details
are carefully weighed before the issue
is joined.
Our races here have usually been
shot at fifty yards bounds" said Ste
venSon
As you like" said Orme, If that
pleases Mr.. Cowles.'
Perfectly" said |.
Orme stepped over 70 the GOODS
where the birds We're kept. splendid
iridescent creatures, with long tails
clean, gamy heads and all the colors
of the rainbow on their breasts. "By
Jove," he said, they're rippers for
looks. and they should fly bit, I'm
thinking. | have never seen them be
fore. much less shot race at them"
Still your advantage" said l. laugh
ing, for | never shot a race at any
sort In my life"
And yet you match against me-:
My dear fellow, hardly like
THE match is made. Captain Orme
and | am sure Mr.. Cowles would not
ask for any readjustment." comment
ed Stevenson stiffly.
Don't understand me to wish to
urge anything" said Orme. II only
wish 1t so we shall all have a chance
at revenge. Is there any one who
wishes to back me perhaps or to back
Mr.. Cowles? Sometimes in England
we shoot at guinea bird or Ave or
ten" Stevenson shook his head
TOO gated for me at this time of the
month" he said. but I'll lay you 500
on the ISSUE"
Five. II you like, on the virginian
sir" said young Belknap of the Ninth
to Orme.
Done and done. gentlemen. Let 1t
be dollars and not guineas. If you
like"
the civilian element began to plunge
a bit on Orme, word having passed
that he was an old hand at the game
whereas | was but a novice. Orme
took some of these wagers carelessly
Now as to our referee, captain"
said Stevenson. You are. as you say
something of stranger among us, and
we wish your acquaintance were great
er. so that you might name some one
who would suit you"
I'm Indifferent" said Orme politely.
ANY one Mr. Cowles may name will
please me-"
His conduct was handsome through
out. and his sporting attitude made
him many friends among us. sus.
pect some army money went on him
quietly. although little betting was
now done In our presence.
II see Judge Reeves of the supreme
court of the state over there in a car
rage" suggested Major Williams I've
very much a notion to go and ask him
to act as our referee"
God bless my SOUL" said Orme,
this Is an extraordinary country.
What, judge Of the supreme COURT
Williams laughed. You don't know
this country. captain, and you don't
know Judge Reeves. He's a trihe old.
but game as fighting cock. and. not
to mention a few duels In his time, he
knows more even about guns and dogs
today than he does about law He'll