New Britain herald., 1924-07-11
YOUTH MEETS DEATH
 IN PRACTICAL JOKE
Pistol Volley GreetS Lad Hoaxed
 Into Calling on -"WidoW"

Keansburg. N. J.. July ll,--Georg' Rexon. a lI-year-old boy. who wal working in his undershirt and coy, cred from head to foot with grease and oil, was called by a taxi driver yesterday afternoon from the garage where he was employed. Talking conhdentislly from the corner Of his mouth, the driver told the boy some. thing that made him grin and look foolish.
 That's lot of sauce," said the garage youth. But the taxi man talked fast and contidentially and got the youngster interested. Another man dropped into the conference with winks, insinuating smiles and whis- pered information, They finally con vinced their immature victim that a beautiful woman who lived In a lone ly bungalow was crazy about him and would be waiting for him at 4 o'clock this morning.
 Cleaned Up.
 After his nights work was end ed the boy spent an hour scrubbing him. self with gasoline. pumice and soap. He put his best clothes on, took a taxicab from his garage and made a shopping tour at all-night luncheon counters and cafes in keansburg. He brick and big bag of apples, oranges, cherries and bananas.
 Shortly before 4 a. m. he stopped him automobile a short distance from the beach at Fort Monmouth. near Deal Beach, and started to walk to- ward the bungalow with his arms filled with provisions. He opened gate and picked his way in the dark ness through trees and shrubbery 10 the porch of the bungalow. There was no light within. He hesitated for a moment, then walked up 10 the door and tapped lightly.
 What are you doing here'" roared a voice from behind him. Gall on my wife, will you?"
 A revolver opened fire from the di- rection of the voice. Another revol- yer began shooting from another di- rection. Between shots there were cries from many voices and loud laughter.
 At the sound of the first voice the boy dropped his armful of food. At the shooting he turned and started to run. He pitched forward on his face on the gravel path in front of the bungalow. There were more spurts of flame. When they ended. IA men appeared from behind trees and bushes, from the sides of the bunga- low and from behind chairs on the porch. They were shrieking with laughter, skipping themselves and shouting appreciation over the success of their practical joke. They had played it dozens of times every sum- n1er for the last three years, and it had become an institution in this sec- tion under the name of the fire man's widow" so-called because the dupe Is given to understand that 1t is safe to keep the appointment because his infatuated admirers husband is away firing an engine on the New | Jersey Central. In the meantime electrical torches had been brought into play on the | body of the path.
 Hes fainted," was the report and | there was more laughter. When the body did not regain consciousness on being prodded with the toes of shoes, there was some apprehension. The band of practical jokers rem membered that they had been warned by Chief Shear of Kensburg to desst from this kind of sport Because there was dan- ger of frightening to death a man of weak heart.
 Find Bullet Hole
 Hes been hit" reported a man