The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-02-01
ALMOST A
TRAGEDY
Bv GEORGE c. BATEMAN


lngs performed tricks. There was
young married couple among the per-
formers who excited more interest
than any Of the others. They were
both experts with the rifle. The hus
band would first shoot bullet into an
apple resting on his wife's head; then
the wife would do the same with ref
erence to Der husband. The room was
not darkened, for the day was clear,
and the sun shone In through the west
windows. The husband first played
William Tell, his wife playing Albert;
then the wife played Tell to her hus-
bands Albert
l had but recently come In from the
far west and had been obliged again
and again to do all kinds Of shooting.
In a place where a mans life is con
stantly dependent upon the sureness of
his aim he becomes very expert, but
there Is no one who more fully realizes
the danger of trying to shoot near
some one without hitting him. These
are the reasons why my heart stood
still every time one of this couple fired
at the apple on the others head. Had
they been enemies, each trying to get
in the first shot, 1t wouldn't have trou
bIed me bit.
They began their performance by the
husband shooting at the apple on the
wife's head Wild west man that was,
my heart stood still till it was over.
Then the husband took position to be
shot at, and his wife did the shooting
I was watching them from a rear
seat Indeed, | sat several rows back
of any one else I had come from
country where persons were fond OF
elbow room, and didn't like sitting in
the crowd The wife was taking aim
at the apple and I was feeling all
wrought up over it when suddenly
saw little spot Of sunlight flash on
her face. At the same moment she
pulled the trigger. Giving a shrek,
she fell on the floor. Her husband ran
up to her and took her in his arms.
Now, the cause of this show that
was not down on the bills flashed upon
me at once. Some one had thrown
ray of sunlight from glass or polished
metal in the wife's eye just as she was
about to fire. Turning my glance aside.
l saw man putting something in his
vest pocket. The sunlight pouring
through a window shone on him
There was a curious look on his face
Of dread, revenge, disappointment. all
mingled in one. l knew l had struck
an unwritten story-a story that had
barely escaped being tragedy.
I sat perfectly still, keeping one eye
on what was going on on the stage, the
other ON my man by the window. AS
soon az his wife recovered from her
swoor the husband announced to the
audience that something had inter
fered with his wife's aim, but for
tunately she had fired too high; he
was unhurt. Some of the audience
were contemplate enough to call "Try
again." but the little woman was I'M
nerved, and she and her husband left
the stage.
They had scarcely gone when the
man by the window got up and went
out. did the same and Swallowed him
to saloon which he entered and got
something to steady his nerves. l went
in myself since I didn't want to lose
him.
If ever the devil was in one he
was in me then. The man saw me
looking at him and, having taken his
drink, went out and walked down the
street. He looked back and saw me
following him. Then he went on till
the street became a road with a wood
on either side.
I hadn't got used to going without
my weapon yet. l had tried to and
found it like going without bunch Of
keys or knife in ones pocket that
had always been there. I had it with
me now. When the man got away
from houses he turned and said to me
sharply:
"Why are you following mei"
Il want to shoot a chip OFF your
head"
"a lunatic?"
Maybe. Pick up that chip beside
you and put it on your head"
l saw him feeling for weapon. but
before he could get it out | had him
covered and ordered him to throw up
his hands, which he did Then when
| had convinced him that he was in
my power made him pick up the chip
and put 1t on his head He did so, and
I knocked it off with a bullet | made
him put it back on his head again, but
this time instead of knocking it off
suit off part of his ear
He was in an abject terror asked
him how he would like to put a ray of
sunlight in my eye to see whether it
would injure my aim. He turned white
as sheet l kept on shooting, put
ting every bullet within an inch or two
of him, till had fired five shots Then
| slipped cartridges in the empty
chambers. l hit him several times In
deshy parts of his body, then told him
to go, and If he ever interfered with
the couple again I would kill him. He
Vas glad to get away with his life