The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1888-06-23


Bright lads were they, as fall of YOUTH
full fire and enthusiasm ~ any of their
age now-a- lays. 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
a German soldi r. who had served un-
der the great N polco'.
Herr Nrbahr deli .hted in rchears-
ing Tor his sons entertainment q ow-
ing tales of martial exploits under his
adored lea ler. and even the horrors of
the Russian campaign had strange
charm told in his impasSioned 6 T.
man. What boy ever listened. un-
moved. to s'ori's of courage and
hcroism? Franz's sonl was fircd.
and lie WIS wort TO me t his gay
companions at their daily rendezvous
il 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 4 very
na ural mistake; fire. arms seemed an
essential adjunct to heroic deeds, and
they longed TO possess some weapon
rs II sort of preparation 'r future acts
of valor
Suppose we eaca carefully save
our money!" john rropos 81. land
constitute it a common fund. Then.
when we have enough. buy 4 pistol. y"
Agreed" cricl Franz and Leo.
A few weeks passed. and the boys.
having amassed sufficient sum. en-
Enthusiastically marched in a body to Sc
lcct the long coveted article. They
bought pistol, after much haggling.
f IRA dollar and II 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
i had wooden handle. the barrel
was of brass, and the rest of the weap-
on was Of steel.
The first flush of joyous possession
pa sd. and Franz echoed the thought
of each when he aske |, where shall
we keep il?' for each boy knew that
his parents would disaPprOve of the
purchase Tile upper floor of the
barn was their council chamber and
here between the beams they hid their
treasure.
They frequently met to stealthily all
mire the weapon and to plan hope
fully for some future opportunity 10
practice with it.
Il declare" cried Franz. one day,
tits lot of fun stealing up here to
see this pistol. wish we could go off
somewhere and shoot at u target as
father does.
Wouldn't it be glOrious!' cried
j I'm; 'but l don't see how we ever
can manage it." he added. dejccted'y.
ITS shame we can't just fire her
off here" said Leo.
"Oh, mcrcyr' criel John, in dis
may; lit would be worse than n hor
nets nest. for VIC should have the
whole neiglIborhood about our ears in
no TIM"
"Wouldn't we get blowing up if
our folks knew?" said Franz.
I'VE d lose our pistol mighty quick,
L o replied.
Hush" said John. treading on
l. o. toes. fathers coming;" while
Franz whisked the pistol into his pock-
ci st MS the stalwart form of Mr..
Garter appeared.
What's this about pistol. boysP'
he asked.
The boys were conf 'unded. but
ready.witted Franz replied: We
think it would be so nice to own one,
sir.''
is that all. Johnp asked Mr. Car
ter.
.Ye-es, sir stammercd John,
blushing. and looking very uneom-
Portable under his father keen glance.
II suppose you believe, boys, that to
be n soldier is to be a hero?" said Mr.
Carter.
Yes. sir.' answered. Franz, decid-
edly.
"Undoubtedly," Mr. Carter cOntin-
ued. many soldiers have b'en true
heroes, but the men who have become
soldiers from pure love of adventure.
or hope of reward, by far outnumbcr
those who have taken their lives in
their hands to fight for Il principle.
All honor 10 the noble souls who have
given their all for what they cOnsid-
cred 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, blopdless 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 10 engage in. II takes the
highest kind of courage to conquer
onu's self, and through all the ages.
the men who have done the nOblest
work for their kind have been those
who first fought this fight. 1t is said
of Luther that his words were half
battles. Read his life. boys. and see
what sort Of courage he had, and Try
10 get something like i" was Mr..
Carter's parting injun ctiOa.
II do feel 90 mean" said John, as