How General Burt Was Tricked

How General Burt Was Tricked

One day when General Andrew S. Burt was lieutenant colonel of the Seventeench United States infantry Captain Charles A. Booth, then a lieutenant, met him on the rifle range.

Lieutenant Booth was shooting, and he "called" each shot as he fired, without waiting for the markers to signal the result.

"You're a pretty good guesser, " said the colonel. " Why don't you admit you're guessing where those shots land?"

"I'll bet you a box of cigars," said the junior offlcer, "that I can call 20 shots in succession. "

"Taken," said the old warrior.

Lieuteuant Booth fired.

"Miss, " he announced, and a red flag from the target told that this was correct.

Another shot.

"Miss," he declared. A third shot. "Miss again, "he said. Fourth shot. "Fourth miss," announced Booth. Another shot. "Miss," again sang out the lieutenant.

"Hold on there, " put in Colouel Burt. " What are you trying to do? I thought you were going to fire at the target." .'I am trying to win my box of cigars, ' ' said Lieutenant Booth. "Don't fire any more, " said the colonel. "They're yours."-Chicago Journal.