Bridgeton pioneer., 1914-05-28

nold's brain in a very few moments.
His experience in gun practice tod
him that something had Disconnected
the marksman. He saw the man he
had noticed in the gallery get up and
go out. Then it occurred to Tom that
the marksman had faced the gallery
In which this man had sat. The cul-
mination of all these things was a feel
ing of certainty that the man had
thrown a ray of sunlight into the per-
formers eyes just as he was about to
pull the trigger.
The audience were intent on the girl
in the arm, but Tom Arnold, full of
burning desire to punish the man
who had committed the outrage. arose
from his seat and hurried out to the
door. There he met the man, moving
rapidly, evidently desirous to get away.
whats your hurry?' asked Tom.
'None of your business" said the
other.
Tom went close up to him, thrust his
hand into an outside coat pocket and
took out little round mirror with a
metal back. The man paled. Tom or
dered him to go back into the hall. The
man demurred, but the cold muzzle of
revolver against his temple brought
him to terms. Tom marched him
down an aisle close to the stage, or,
rather, the platform. The curtain had
been rung down, and the audience
were discussing the accident Facing
them, Tom said:
Ladies and gentlemen. am handy
with the gun, and that you shall not
be disappointed in seeing an exhibition
of such skill | would be pleased, if
you desire it, to give you one."
The shouts that greeted this offer
left no doubt that it was very accept
able.
Tom took the man he had captured
up a short fight of stairs on to the
platform and behind the curtain. He
found commotion which he quieted
and repeated his offer to the manager,
who acquiesced. Tom spoke a few
words of sympathy to the young per-
former and his sister, and the curtain
was rung up, Tom and his captive
standing in the wings.
what are you going to do?" asked
the man.
"shoot an apple off your head. Pro
ceed"
The man sidled on to the platform.
Tom motiOned to the manager to stand
him against the board and put an ap-
pie on his head. Then Tom, drawing
his own revolver, took aim at his vic
tim. Several minutes elapsed before
a shot was fired owing to the targets
unsteadiness. for he seemed on the
verge of collapse. Finally Tom told
him that if he didn't brace up and
stand still he was liable to get a bull
let in his brain. This steadied him.
Tom fired and pierced the apple, which
the manager held up for the inspec-
ton of the audience.
Then Tom, taking a silver half dollar
from his pocket, handed it to the man.
ager. telling him to put it ON the mans
! head. When it appeared that Tom
was intending to shoot the coin some
of the audience protested,A while 9TH
ers shouted to him to proceed Step
ping to the footlights, he told them that
the wounding of the girl was not an
accident, but had been produced by
this fellow throwing ray of sunlight
into her brothers eyes. Then Tom
held up the mirror
1t looked for awhile as if the offender
would be lynched. Indeed, several
men started up to the stage for the
purpose, but Tom, who had a revolver
in his hand, drove them back and
claimed the privilege of furnishing the
culprit himself
AT the next shot the half dollar was
knocked into the air, fell and rolled
over the floor.
Tom now asked the audience if he
had not better turn the man over to
the sheriff, since he was so limp that
he was not fitted for target Some
cried yes" some NO. while others
cried "Shoot him DOWN. But Tom
had some time before suggested to the
manager to send for an officer to make
the arrest, and the sheriff having ar
rived and learned the circumstances
walked on to the stage and took the
man away amid howls from the audi
ence.
Tom now went back to the room used
in common by the company to find that
a doctor had dressed the girls wound,
and she and her brother were waiting
for conveyance to take her to hotel.
The brother thanked Tom for bringing
his enemy to justice, and the wounded
girl looked gratitude that was more
pleasing than words. Tom drove to
the hotel with the two, and before they
retired he was put into possession Of
the mans reasons for his inhuman ac-
ton.
He was rough character who had
followed them. endeavoring to thrust
his attentions on the girl. She had
snubbed him. and her brother had told
him that If he did not let his sister
alone he would take measures to force