Read Motor Matt's Red Flyer; or, On the High Gear Page 21

  SECRETS OF TRICK SHOOTING.

  When a champion rifle shot fires blindfolded at a wedding-ring, or apenny held between his wife's thumb and finger, or, seated back toher, shoots, by means of a mirror, at an apple upon her head or on afork held in her teeth, the danger of using a bullet is obvious. None,of course, is needed; the explosion is enough. The apple is alreadyprepared, having been cut into pieces and stuck together with anadhesive substance, and a thread with a knot at the end, pulled throughit from the "wings," so that it flies to bits when the gun is fired, is"how it is done."

  Generally, the more dangerous a feat appears the more carefully is alldanger guarded against. In the "William Tell" act the thread is oftentied to the assistant's foot. When, again, the ash is shot off a cigarwhich the assistant is smoking, a piece of wire is pushed by his tonguethrough a hollowed passage in the cigar--thus thrusting off the ash atthe moment of firing.

  A favorite but simple trick is the shooting from some distance at anorange held in a lady's hand. Great applause is invariably forthcomingwhen the bullet drops out on her, cutting open the fruit. It isinserted by hand earlier in the evening.

  Another popular trick is that of snuffing out lighted candles. Halfa dozen are placed in front of a screen in which as many small holesare bored, one against each candlewick. At the moment of firing, aconfederate behind the screen sharply blows out each candle with a pairof bellows. This trick was accidentally exposed one evening by a toozealous assistant. The lady in the gallery pulled the trigger, but therifle failed to go off; the candle, however, went out just the same.

  In most instances, where a ball or other object has to be broken on aliving person's head, blank cartridge is used and the effect producedby other means. A special wig, with a spring concealed in it, workedby a wire under the clothes, is generally used, the confederatemanipulating the spring simultaneously with the firing of the rifle. Asthe ball is of extremely thin glass, a mere touch suffices to shatterit.

  In these exhibitions some of the rifle "experts" invite gentlemen fromthe audience to testify that the weapon is indeed loaded. The cartridgeshown looks very well, but it is a shell of thin wax blackened toresemble a leaden bullet. It would not hurt a fly.