St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-06-09
READING FOR THE YOUNG.
STORY OF a PISTOL.
A Lesson in SeIf-Conquest-The Courage
of Fine Soldier.

y
merry trio met in Mason street.
Bright lads were they, as full ofyouth-
full 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 strange
charm, told in his impassioned Ger
man. What boy ever listened, I'M
moved, to stories of courage and
heroismp 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 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 common fund. Then,
when we have enough, buy pistol"
agreed" cried Franz and Leo.
A few weeks passed, and the boys,
having amassed a.sufficient sum, en-
Enthusiastically marched in body to Sc
lect the long coveted article. They
bought pistol, after much haggling,
for a 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."
IL had wooden handle, the barrel
was of brass, and the rest of the weap-
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 stealthily ad-
mire the weapon and to plan hope |!
fully for some future opportunity to
practice with it.
II declare" cried Franz. one day,
''it's lot of fun stealing up here to
see this pistol. ] wish we could go off
somewhere aud shoot at a target, as
father does
Wouldn't it be gloriousr' cried
John; "but / don't see how we ever
can manage it. he added. dejectedly.
.:It's shame we can't just fire her
off here said Leo.
''Oh, mercy" cried John, in dis
may; 1T would be worse than hor-
nets nest. for we should have the
whole neighborhood about our ears in
40 time. I"
"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
4eo's toes. fathers coming;" while
franz whisked the pistol into his pock-
a ;,,o< oc the otol1ror& Trn,~ & A6.. |
carter appeared. +
What's this about pistol, boys?"
le asked.
The boys were COMPOUNDED, but
eady- witted Franz replied: I'VE
hink it would be SO nice to own one,
ir"
as that all Johnp' asked Mr.. Car
er.
''Ye-es. sir, stammered John,
lushing and looking very uncom- i
ortable under his fathers keen glance. i
Il suppose you believe. boys, that to i
e soldier is to be herop'' said Mr..
arteE. :
Yes, SIR answered Franz, decid. =
lily.
''Und doubleday" Mr.. Carter contin- /,
ed. many soldiers have been true FL
eroes. but the men who have become b
'ldiers from pure love of adventure, p
!. hope of reward, by far outnumber p
lose who have taken their lives in p
eir hands to fight for a principle.
II honor to the noble souls who have b
ven their all for what they consid- p
ed a great cause-there are many p
orious instances of such in history. CT
1t ] particularly like to think OF the n,
rye army who have fought, and are W
er fighting, bloodless battles and in
inning deathless victories. = al
WHO can you mean. father?' said &C
I'm. wonderingly. NJ
You boys are SO taken with wars U
d battles that you forget that there al
something higher than mere phys al
Il courge." said Mr. Carter The NJ
BILE says: Better is he that ruleth w
) spirit than he that taketh city, 81
nd this is the kind Of warfare you 10
Us need to engage in. 1t takes the 10
CHEST kind of courage to conquer In
e's self, and through all the ages. pi
3 men who have done the nobIest fol