Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-06-07
STORY OF A PISTOL.
A Lesson in Self Conquest-The Courage
of q Fine Soldier.

STORY OF A PISTOL.
A Lesson in Self-Conquest-The Courage
of a Fine Soldier.
Fifty years have passed. since a
merry trio met in Mason street.
Bright lads were they, as full ofyouth-
fpl fire and enthusiasm as 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 UNI
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 a strange
charm. told in his imprisoned Ger
man. What boy ever listened. un-
moved, to stories of courage and
heroism? Franz's soul was fired.
and lie was won't 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 10 these
tales of war. the boys made a very
natural mistake; fire. arms seemed an
essential adjunct TO heroic deeds, and
they longed to possess some weapon
as sort of preparation for future acts
of valor.
Suppose we each carefully save
our money!" John proposed. land
constitute it q common fund. Then.
when we have enough. buy pistol"
Agreed cried Franz and Leo.
A few weeks passed. and the boys,
having amassed q sufficient sum. en-
Enthusiastically marched in body to Sc
lect the long coveted article. They
bought n 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.
1t had wooden handle. the barrel
was of brass, and the rest of the wcap-
on was of steel.
The first flush of joyous possession
passed, and Franz 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 stcalthily adj
mire the weapon and to plan hope
fully for some future opportunity to
practice with it.
Il declare" cried Franz. one day,
.ft's lot of fun stealing up here to
see this pistol. wish we could 60 off
somewhere and shoot at a target as
father does"
..Wouldn't it be glorious!'' cried
J Inn; .'but don't see how we ever
can manage it." he added, dejectedly.
1T shame we can't just fire her
off here" said Leo.
"Oh, mercyr' crie'l John, in dis
may; lit 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.
Wed lose our pistol mighty quick. -"
Leo replied.
Hush" said John. treading on
L o's toes. fathers coming;" while
Franz whisked the pistol into his peck
ct, Just as the stalwart form of Mr..
Carter appeared.
Whats this about pistol, boysf'
he asked.
The boys were confounded, but
ready witted Franz replied: I'VE
think it would be so nice to own one.
SIR
rs that all. John?' asked Mr.. Car
ter.
.'Ye-es. sir" stammered John.
blushing, and looking very uncom-
forta BILE nnder his father keen glance.
Il suppose you believe, boys. that to
be soldier is to be heroP' said Mr.
Carter.
Yes. sir'' answered Franz, deeid
cdlv.
.Undoubt edly," Mr.. Carter contin-
ned. many soldiers have been true
heroes. but the men who have become
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 a principle.
All honor to the noble souls who have
given their all for what they consid-
cred a great cause-there are many
glorious instances of such in history.
but / 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. fatherp' 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. 1.-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