^78 
FOftSST AND STREAM. 
[Oct. i, 1898. 
Confabulations of the Cadi.— VI. 
The committee met at the appointed time, as per adjournment, 
further arrange the details for the tournament of the Egyptian 
Qui) Club. In the meantime the members had informally talked 
uver debatable matters with each other and with every shooter 
whom they had "met up with," all with a crafty purpose of learn- 
ing what would be the most popular policy, but with the common 
result that each one was then further from an opinion of his 
own than he was in the beginning— a perfectly logical conse- 
quence when men base their opinions on the circumstances and 
policy of the moment, instead of independently and honestly on 
the principles of justice and eternal right. 
The committee convened in the shade of the lodge, each member 
Siting or reclining in a picturesque posture 'if case rather than 
of grace, and all alike looking greasy and flushed from the ex- 
cessive heat; for it then was still the sweltering summer time. 
The sun shone fiercely hot. Shimmering heat-waves glared on the" 
trees; on the fences, the rocks, on everything that its fiery rays 
struck; therefore the shade was uncommonly grateful to the group 
of philosophers who had succeeded in evading the work and 
cares of the day and who had no thought of the morrow. The 
ceremonial of the cider bucket had been observed with due 
solemnity and vigor, so that the committee felt that its little world 
was full of the music of sweet song birds in a rose-colored at- 
mosphere. 
The prattle of excited children could be heard, with now and 
then Hopie Jane's squeaky voice rising highest in uttering com- 
mands. The barefooted, bareheaded, frowsy group soon came in 
sight, tugging bravely at a tree top, which they were dragging to 
(lie house for fuel, and chattering with hurried interchanges of 
advice, as if they were so many magpies. As they drew near, the 
good Cadi pressed his right hand firmly in his right side, rolled his 
eyes in a set look skyward at the same time twisting his face into 
the most agonizing wrinkles and seams; for it was meet that Hopie 
Jane, his beloved wife, should note that lie sought the shade be- 
cause he was an invalid, and that the outward signs of comfort 
exhibited by his companions were something apart from him and 
something for which he was in no wise responsible. Moreover, 
without some visible signs of his consuming disease, even Hopie 
Jane might forget that he was an invalid, to say nothing of the 
harsher judgments of an unfeeling world. 
When she saw that an agonizing twinge had seized the good 
Cadi, a shadow of pain passed over her own face, and in her simple 
way his sufferings were her sufferings. To her the good Cadi 
was not a mere man. He was her idol, and he surpassed all other 
men, as her children, by beauty and brightness, surpassed all 
other children. More still— he was reputed very wise in the neigh- 
borhood, and indeed he had delivered some notable speeches at 
barbecues and at reunions of sons of their fathers, and had ad- 
judicated the differences of neighbors; besides having written some 
very long and very learned papers, which were published in the 
local Bazoo, and to which he had signed his own name, the latter 
being a feat which even much greater men than the Cadi dare not 
perform, if it in the least involves the proclaiming of an indepen- 
dent opinion, or the running counter to public beliefs. With all 
these graces and talents, to Hopie Jane the Cadi was a very dis- 
tinguished man, a prince of the earth, as all husbands are to their 
wives for a while. 
As the group of toilers drew opposite the group of philosophers 
Hopie Jane raised her hand as a signal to the children to cease 
effort and rest a while, for there were moments in which the good 
dame could not utter a word. Moke, who wished to be civil and 
keep the group in countenance, remarked to her that it was an 
awfully hot day. She attempted to reply, but could not articulate; 
bracing her lanky form erect, her tangled Titian red hair stand- 
ing about her head in a halo of glory, she took a half-twist in 
her closely compressed lips, and squirted an amber-colored stream 
of snuff juice with wonderful precision at an old plow about 10ft. 
away, and remarked then: "Yep, it's dratted hot out here in the 
sun." Then she patiently resumed her burden and went on her 
drudging way. The momentary alarm of the philosophers, as to 
whether the lovely woman was bent on peace or war, was ground- 
less, for Hopie Jane had merely stopped to expectorate. 
A MODEL SECRETARY. 
"You will please come to order," at length said the Cadi, in 
due official tones. "This is an adjourned meeting of the committee, 
and we have lots of unfinished business to transact in respect to 
our forthcoming tournament. We will begin the order of business 
with the report of the last meeting. Moke— that is, excuse me, I 
should say Mr. Secretary— be so good as to read the minutes of 
the last meeting." 
The secretary rose in an acute state of stage fright, pulled out 
of his pocket a piece of brown paper, which had done service as 
a wrapper for a plug of tobacco, and nervously smoothing out the 
creases, he read as follows: "The gentleman from Coon Hollow 
has changed his mind, and it is the sense of this meeting that it 
would be his gain and our pleasure if he also would change his 
shirt." Then he hurriedly sat down. 
"Finish reading the minutes," commanded the Cadi, impatiently. 
"Those are all the minutes that I have," retorted Moke, with 
some asperity. "Do you want the earth?" 
"I beg your pardon," said the Cadi, gravely. "Those minutes, 
Mr. Secretary, are all right. They after all are good average offi- 
cial records of a gun club meeting, and you, Moke, are not far 
from being a good average gun club secretary, so far as attending 
to the duties of your office is concerned. This meeting will not 
act on the official report of the secretary, which so painstakingly 
sets forth the doings of the last meeting, What is your pleasure, 
gentlemen?" 
"I move you, Mr. Chairman, that the report be approved and 
adopted," said Le Loup. 
"I second it," said the secretary, hastily. 
"Carried," declared the chairman. 
THE SUBTRACTION OF THE ADDITION. 
"Cadi," said Le Loup, as he slowly began to cut up some plug 
tobacco with a broken-bladed knife, "I have talked with a number 
of our club members about running this tournament on business 
principles, and most of them say that we should run it to make 
some money. We can run it that way just as well as not, and 
everyone will have his fun just the same. We want some money; 
as to the amount, it should be about all the money the shooters 
have in their pockets. There will be a good many of the shooters 
from a distance who will have plenty of money to spend, and it is 
our duty as hosts and promoters of sport to devise ways and 
means to help them spend it, so as to do them some and us the 
most good. We can make a great hurrah about giving them a 
good time and the keys of the city, and call them brother sports- 
men in our programme, after which our club, will skin them in a 
pleasant, genteel way, as the experts are doing in their more 
thoughtless, noisy way." 
"Them's my sentiments," said Moke. "We should make some 
money in a nice, sportsmanlike way if we can; but anyway — we 
should make some money." 
"We'll have lots of sport, sure enough," unctiously interposed 
the gentleman from Razor Back Hill. "If we can give our" visit- 
ors an attractive song and dance, and at the same time make some 
money, my vote is for that. But how can the trick be done?" 
"I have already told you that the men who do the thinking 
become very expert in time. Also, I have told you that there is 
as much professionalism in clubs as there is amongst the so-called 
wolves," said the Cadi, quietly. "The easiest way to make some 
money is to offer some added money. 'Added money' is really 
subtracted money. Subtracted money is called 'added money' 
because added money is more pleasing to the ear, and more 
equitable in its significance. You add and you subtract at the 
some time, but you chiefly subtract. You thereby make money 
if you are on to your job." 
"The hot sun is addling your brains, good friend," exclaimed 
Moke, with much concern. "You are talking contradictions," 
"Not so much as you are, wise Moke, when you are talking 
sport in the abstract and money in the concrete. This tournament 
is simply a sharp business enterprise, if conducted on the lines that 
you contemplate. The paradox of the addition and subtraction is 
very simple. You subtract the added money from the pockets of 
the shooters by increasing the price of targets from 50 per cent, 
upward. Then you give them a small part of it back under the 
pleasing term 'added money,' and the balance you put in your 
pocket. It really is not 'added money' at all; it is only guaranteed 
money. We ordinarily charge the stranger 2 cents for targets, and 
make money at that. Make your rate 3 cents at your tournament 
and you will make as much money as the game will stand." 
"You must be talking without thinking," said Coxey. "One 
cent added to the price of each target would not make much dif- 
ference one way or the other." 
"I agree with Coxey," said Moke. "I don't understand how 
money can be made from any little penny game such as that." 
"Of course you do not," replied the Cadi. "I never expect you 
to understand any proposition, however simple, on the same day 
that you hear it. I will endeavor to make my meaning clearer 
with a few figures, although I know how easily figures lodge 
crosswise in your head, Moke. At all events, you know that to 
make money the receipts must be greater than the expenses. We 
will suppose by way of example that our club holds a two days' 
tournament, using 6,000 targets. The expenses would approximate- 
ly be as follows: 
3 trappers, Sergeant system, at $1.25 $3.75 
1 man of all work 1-50 
1 cashier 5.00 
1 assistant cashier 3- 00 
1 scorer • 1-50 
Incidental extra expense . 5.00 
6,000 targets, at $6.50 39.00 
Total expense for each day ..$58.75 
"The above expense might be cut down materially in one way and 
another, as when a magautrap is used, and the members act as 
cashier, squad hustler, trap-puller, etc. If we charged our usual 
price for targets, that is, 2 cents, the receipts for one day from 
6,000 targets at 2 cents each would be $120, a net gain of $61.25; 
or a gain of $122.50 for the two days. We want more money, how- 
ever. 
"Now, to stimulate shooting through the programme as much 
as possible throughout the two days, we will give $50 in 'added 
money.' This we will divide 50, 30 and 20 per cent, amongst the 
three highest shooters who shoot through the entire programme. 
With this generous addition in evidence, we feel justified in adding 
1 cent more to the price of targets, which therefore makes the 
charge 3 cents. In the two days, 12,000 targets are thrown, and 
as we gain an additional 1 cent per target, the result of the 
added money' is that we add $50 and take back $120, making 
thereby on that matter a net gain to us of $70. In other words, if 
the programme calls for 150 targets, we assess each shooter $3 
if he shoots through the programme, or each is assessed relatively 
for any less number that he may shoot at. 
"Many of the 80 per cent, men, more or less, as the case may be, 
have not the remotest chance of ever getting a cent of that 
money back again. They therefore will lose in our tournament 
not only according to the chances of the competition, but they 
lose absolutely a fixed additional amount every time they fire a 
shot, since the shooting could be arranged on a scale just as 
much cheaper. The experts are getting most of their money in 
the regular sweeps, and our club is raking off a fixed amount 
constantly from their little winnings, a little of which goes to the 
men who have already won the most money, and the rest of it 
goes into the club's coffers. In short, in a nice way, under certain 
well established business forms, we will see that the ordinary shot 
suffers from a double skinning — and then we will all sit down and 
wonder why he will not play any more. I know very well, gentle- 
men, that you are actuated by the purest love of sport, and there- 
fore that you feel that if you can make your own tournament a 
success you will generously permit some one else to look after 
the matter of reform. But, good Moke, returning to the subject, 
do you understand now that added money, as we are applying the 
scheme, is really subtracted money, and the addition of 1 cent 
per target means a great addition to the revenue when several 
thousand targets are used?" 
"Yes, I do; and I understand that you are quite off in your 
reasoning, for in horse-racing there are sometimes thousands of 
dollars added to the stakes, and if it is all wrong, how can the 
practice of adding money be in such general use?" queried 
Moke, with a cock-sure air of victory. 
"Easily explained, good Moke," said the Cadi. "Horse-racing 
has means of revenue that trap-shooting has not and never will 
possess. It has gate receipts which amount to thousands of 
dollars; it has bar and book-making privileges which are worth 
thousands of dollars more, and from this immense revenue it is 
an easy matter to add large sums of money and still have revenue 
left for profit. Managers do not draw this money from the 
pockets of the competitors, and even if they did so draw the 
money it would have a more equitable division, since horses trot 
or run under a very close handicap, or classification, as the case 
may be. There is no analogy whatever in the matter of the added 
money as it concerns horse-racing and as the same concerns trap- 
shooting. But suppose that 3-minute horses trotted with 2-minute 
horses, where would the moneys go?" 
"Well, are the figures you give those of any tournament?" 
queried Moke. 
"The figures are only given by way of illustration, wise Moke," 
replied the Cadi. "They are not the figures of any tournament, 
but the abused principle of the "added money' is all there. Some- 
times the money .is 'added' piece by piece in one event and an- 
other, instead of going to the highest averages; but the majority, 
when no handicap obtains, have not a shadow of a chance to win 
any important part of it." 
"But," interposed Le Loup, "the added money will make our 
tournament more attractive for all, and in many of the events the 
SO per cent, man has a chance." 
"Well, if I grant that--which I do not— tell me why the men who 
rate at a less per cent, than your 80 per cent, man should be 
arbitrarily taxed a fixed amount to go to the men who can win 
regularly? And tell me why nearly all programmes are arranged 
so that the man of 80 per cent, and less has hardly any show 
to win anything. A 10-target event is about his only chance. 
Three moneys would just let him in for third. In a 15-target 
event, the 80 per cent, man breaks 12, and if there are only three 
moneys he is out of the money then entirely. If it is a 20- 
target event, the man aforesaid gets 16, and he is out of the 
money even if there are four moneys. And you must also keep 
in mind that in nearly all tournaments the poor shots are ex- 
pected and required to stand on even terms with the best cracka- 
jacks that the country can produce. We concoct different sys- 
tems to win the admiration of the so-called amateur. The systems 
generally apply to some division of the money, and not to any 
equitable adjustment of the competition. You must give the 
poorer shots a handicap if you expect them to play in your yard, 
for the day when this neck of the woods abounded in what is 
commonly called 'suckers' is gone forever. In that day, a learned 
friend once told me that the theory of the crackajack was that 
" ' 'Tis music' to the gambler's ears 
To hear the sucker moan,' 
and yet most men are slow to perceive that the 'sucker' as an 
economic factor no longer exists. His education has been vigor- 
ous, costly and heroic, and he is wise in his day, as is becoming 
a man who can profit by a few thousand calamities." 
"Well, now that you have been so good as to give us your opin- 
ion," said Coxey, "will you be so good as to tell us the application 
of it?" 
"Certainly, Coxey, I will cheerfully endeavor in assisting you 
to understand it. My opinion is that such clubs as ours, which 
add money merely as a pretext to rake off a percentage so large 
that it is beyond all reason when compared with the services 
rendered, are a detriment to the sport, and if they held no tourna- 
ments the shooting world would thereby be a gainer. Added 
money which is so placed that it augments the winnings of shoot- 
ers who are already chief winners, makes the competition too ex- 
pensive for the average shooter. The meager winnings of the latter 
have a percentage deducted for the advantage of the best shots, 
and the added money which is subtracted gives a pretext for raising 
prices. Understand distinctly, however, that all clubs which add 
money are not running the tournament with the ulterior purpose 
of getting the shooter's money into the club coffers. Some clubs 
add $5 or $10 to each event, charging only the ordinary price for 
targets; and in every way but the right way — that is a handicap — 
protecting the rights of all the shooters. What I have said in 
no wise reflects on such clubs." 
"But all this heap of talk doesn't settle anything about the tour- 
nament and making some money," objected Le Loup. 
"A few clubs leave many important matters to be settled after 
the tournament begins, therefore let us put off till to-morrow what 
we can do to-day," retorted the Cadi. 
"It's funny," said Moke, "what a difference there i3 in 
shoots." 
"What is the funny difference?" queried the Cadi. 
"This," replied Moke. "Patrick de Clam, our old friend, shot 
oft his arm, and it hurt only himself. You shoot off your mouth 
and it hurts only us." 
'"This meeting stands adjourned till next week," said the Cadi, 
contemptuously. 
Bernard Waters. 
Belle Meade Gun Club. 
The programme of the Belle Meade Gun Club's tournament, 
Oct. 18-21, provides for two days at targets, two at live birds. The 
target events are alike for each day. They number eight, each at 
20 targets, $2.50 entrance, $20 added money to each event, with 
$10 to first and $5 to second high guns for the day. There also 
is a gold medal for the contestant making the highest general 
average. 
There are three live-bird events on the programme of the third 
dav. No. 1 is at 7 live birds, miss-and-out, $5 entrance; experts 
30yds., amateurs, 28yds. No. 2 is the William Gerst handicap, 
15 live birds, $15 entrance; $50 added, birds included in entrance; 
handicap from 25 to 31yds.; three moneys, 50, 30 and 20 per cent. 
Event No. 3 is at 10 live birds, miss-anA-out, entrance $7; experts 
30yds., amateurs 28yds. 
The programme for the last day is the First Annual Belle Meade 
Handicap, 25 live birds, $25 entrance, $100 added, birds included, 
handicaps from 25 to 31yds., four moneys, 40, 30, 20 and 10 per 
cent. The Southern Turf offers a handsome silver loving cup 
to the winner. 1 
Mr. W. R. Elliston, Nashville, Tenn., will furnish all desired 
information. The catalogue contains the following for the general 
information of shooters: "There will a special train on the N., 
C. & St. L. R. R. leave the Union Depot every morning at 8:30 
o'clock, returning after the programme is shot out. Grounds will 
be open for practice Monday, Oct. 17. Target events will be shot 
over the magautrap and one set of expert traps set in the Sergeant 
system. Price of targets 2 cents. Live-bird events will be shot 
from two sets of underground traps, and the retrieving will be 1 
in charge of Fred Irbb, of Lafayette, Ind. AH shooting will be • 
class shooting. American Association rules to govern, except in 
targets, where magautrap rules will be used. The referee's de- , 
cision will be final. Ten-gauge guns and black powder barred. 
This is the only handicap with the exception of the live-bird 
events where a shooting handicap will be used from 25 to 31yds. 
Shells shipped in care J. Legler & Son will* be delivered to 
grounds free of charge. A watchman and three bull dogs will, I 
be at the club house at night, and guns, etc., can be left there' 
with perfect safety. No one is barred, and all arrangements have 
been made to make this the largest tournament ever held in the 
South, and no pains will be spared to make every one have a. 
good time. Arrangements are being made to secure one and one-l 
third fare over all roads, and shooters will be notified mrough 
the sporting papers. Lunch and barbecue will be served on thej 
grounds every' day free of charge. Loaded shells will be for sale, 
on the grounds. All money guaranteed by the Belle Meade Gun 
Club. This shoot will be strictly 'on the square,' and the management' 
will not tolerate any dropping for place, and any one doing so will 
be asked to withdraw." 
Audubon Gun Club. 
Buffalo, Sept. 24. — Following scores are from Audubon Gun 
Club's regular club shoot. The third event was the club badgti 
shoot. C. S. Burkhardt won Class A badge, Dr. E. S. Carrol" 
won Class B, and J. E. Lodge won Class C. No. 4 event was tht' 
monthly cup shoot. Jacobs and J. J. Reid tied, each getting 2Jj 
on first string. J. J. Reid won in shoot-off. On Saturday nex'j 
the second shoot "for the Hebard trophy takes place: 
Events: 12 3' 45 
15 15 Badge. Shot at. Scored. 5pr Hi 
Hammond 10 15 21 25 20 5 1 
J 1 Reid 9 14 16 29 * 23 7 JJ 
C S Burkhardt 12 14 21 25 22 10 M 
Tomlinson 7 12 16 25 15 3 1 
Swiveller 12 XL 20 25 18 4 
A C Heinold 11 10 18 27 19 
Warren 12 14 . 16 26 21 
P Stover 11 16 - .'. .. JP 
Jacobs 8 11 .. 27 23 .. < 
Di E S Carroll 7 11 21 26 20 
E W Smith 13 .. 27 22 
Johnston . . . • 19 • . * . . » 
Fanning 13 .. .. 9 
J E Lodge 16 
C J. Moykr, 
