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FORM~NATIONAL PISTOL CHAMP FINFAT<br />
MOST HANDGUNNERS -,<br />
. ?<br />
LF-DOZEN SHOTS OF WHISKEY<br />
This imbibing is a trade secret. Maybe that's why, out-<br />
side the handgunning clan, the fine and high state of inebri-<br />
ation which is part and parcel of all sixgun rallies is so<br />
little known.<br />
Twenty years ago or thereabouts, we were all struggling<br />
to win pistol tourneys. We didn't shoot good scores in<br />
those days. Our totals were easily 20 points under what is<br />
fired nowadays. Suddenly from out of the Far West marched<br />
a gent who pinned back the ears on all of us. He was<br />
deadly, cool, machine-like and consistent about his winning.<br />
If he entered a match, he wiped everybody's eye. If the<br />
wind blew a gale, if the sun reached 120 degrees, if it<br />
rained or snowed, or sleeted, it mattered not. This auto-<br />
maton was unbeatable.<br />
One day the great champion fell on the greensward. lt<br />
appeared to be a stroke. He was comparatively young,<br />
husky, in the pink of condition it seemed. What had struck<br />
him down? A doctor was hastily summoned and a hurried<br />
examination ensued. Shooters removed their hats. It looked<br />
By COLONEL CHARLES ASKINS<br />
like maybe the passing of the colossus of the handgunning<br />
- -<br />
world.<br />
The doctor arose from his probings. "Gentlemen," he'd<br />
evidently seen the hats doffed and thought this was a ges-<br />
ture in his direction. "Gentlemen" he addressed the<br />
crowd, "there's nothing wrong with this man except he is<br />
filled with what I'd estimate to be about a quart of Old<br />
Crow. In other words he's boiled, stiff, loaded, full, in-<br />
ebriated. Pour him very gently in the shade for a couple of<br />
hours and he'll be okay."<br />
A great light dawned.<br />
Literally from that day forward the pistol line has been<br />
tainted with those insidious fumes which emanate from the<br />
little brown jug. Depending on the locale, the cup that<br />
cheers may be handily arranged alongside the sixshooter.<br />
It may be secreted in the trunk compartment of the family<br />
car which is parked nearby. Or, perforce, it may be ordered<br />
up right over the clubhouse bar. Speaking generally the<br />
farther east you travel the more it is kept under wraps.
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