The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-06-09
READING FOR THE YOUNG.
STORY OF A PISTOL.
"A Lesson in Self-Conquest-The Courage
of "A Fine Soldier.

full fire and enthusiasm rs any of their
age nowadays. John was by birth
and ancestry an American, and so
was Leopold, despite the foreign ring
to his name, but Franz was the son of
German soldier, who had served I'M
der the great Napoleon.
Herr Niebuhr delighted in rehears-
ing for his sons entertainment glow
ing tales of martial exploits under his
adored leader. and even the horrors of
the Russian campaign had strange
charm, told in his imprisoned Ger
man. What boy ever listened, I'M
moved, to stories of courage and
heroism? Franz's soul was fired,
and he was wont to meet his gay
companions at their daily rendezvous
in the little stable adjoining
Johns house, and there repeat his
fathers stories with kindred fervor
and enthusiasm. Listening to these
tales of war, the boys made very
natural mistake; fire. arms seemed an
essential adjunct to heroic deeds, and
they longed to possess some weapon
.as a sort of preparation for future acts
of valor. 49,
Suppose we each carefully save
our money" John proposed, land
constitute it a common fund. Then,
when we have enough, buy pistol"
Agreed" cried Franz and Leo.
A few weeks passed. and the boys,
o,N,ogonI cuff pioOt an,
Enthusiastically marched in body to Sc
lect the long coveted article. They
bought pistol. after much haggling
for dollar and quarter, and plenti-
fully supplied themselves with pow
der, shot and percussion caps The
little weapon. which they handled
with so much pride, would now be
considered very insignificant affair
Ii had q wooden handle. the barrel
was of brass, and the rest of the weap-
eon was of steel.
The first flush of joyous possession
passed. and FraGz echoed the thought
of each when he asked, "Where shall
we keep it?" for each hoy knew that
his parents would disapprove of the
purchase The upper floor of the
barn was their council chamber, and
here between the beams they hid their
treasure,
They frequently met to stealthily adj
-mire the weapon and to plan hope
fully for some future opportunity to
practice with it.
Il declare" cried Franz, one day,
'it's lot of fun stealing up here to
see this pistol. wish we could go off
somewhere and shoot at target, as
father does"
Wouldn't it be gloriousr' cried
John; "but 1 don't see how we ever
can manage H." he added. dejectedly.
1T shame we can't just fire her
off here" said Leo.
ooh, mercyT cried John, in dis
may; sit would be worse than hor-
nets nest. for we should have the
whole neighborhood about our ears in
no time"
Wouldn't we get blowing up if
our folks knew" said Franz.
1--WE d lose our pistol mighty quick,
Leo replied.
"Hush." said John, treading on
Lao's toes. fathers coming" while
Franz whisled the pistol into his pock-
ct, just as the stalwart form of Mr..
Carter appeared.
whats this about pistol, boys?"
he asked.
The boys were COMPOUNDED, but
ready-witted Franz replied: 1--WE
think it would be so nice to own one,
sir"
rs that all, JohnP' asked Mr. Car
1er
'Ye-es, sir" stammered John,
blushing, and looking very uncom-
Portable under his fathers keen glance.
81 suppose you believe, boys, that to
be a soldier is to be q hero?" said Mr.
Carter
Yes. SIR" answered Franz, decid-
eddy.
Undoubtedly, Mr.. Carter contin-
ued, "many soldiers have been true
iIClOto DuJ JIlC ltICL W llO lldFt OGCOillC
soldiers from pure love of adventure,
or hope of reward by far outnumber
those who have taken their lives in
their hands to fight for principle.
All honor to the noble souls who have
given their all for what they consid-
cred q great cause-there are many
glorious instances of such in history
but l particularly like to think of the
large army who have fought, and are
ever fighting, bloodless battles and
winning deathless victories.
"Who can you mean, father?' said
John, wonderingly.
"You boys are so taken with wars
and battles that you forget that there
is something higher than mere phys
ical courge." said Mr.. Carter THE
Bible says: Better is he that ruleth
his spirit, than he that taketh city,
And this is the kind of warfare you
boys need to engage in. 1t takes the
highest kind of courage to conquer
ones self, and through all the ages,
the men who have done the noblest
work for their kind have been those