There are stories about Annie Oakley, and there is truth. In Annie Oakley's case, the truth hardly needs embellishment. This is one such story, told truly from a real event. In 1891, Crown Prince Wilhelm -- soon to be ruler of Germany during World War I -- attended the Wild West show. He watched as Annie's husband Frank lit a cigarette, puffed the tip to ashes, and place his hands at rest. Annie raised her rifle and fired. The ashes were sheared from the cigarette. Afterward, the Crown Prince had a request. Would Annie Oakley shoot the ashes from his cigarette? Would she fire a rifle bullet within inches of the face of one of the premier monarchs of Europe? She agreed. But when he placed the burning cigarette to his lips, she requested that it remain in his hand, held out. For Annie was prudent enough to know not to fully indulge the excesses of a Crown Prince? |
