The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-09-24
THE UNLUckY PISTOL.
An Instructive Story for Boys Who
Wlsh.tO Carry a Pistol.

t55 "ioH5IO larry a PISTOL.
When ! was about 10 years old, /
decided to carry q pistol. Other boys
not SO tall as was could boast the
ownership OF a pistol; so one evening
as father was drawing on his gloves, I
astonlshed him by asking permission
to carry q pistol.
"A pistol! Whom do you want to
shoot?"
mo one, sir. ] only want to learn
to shoot properly"
what do you call proper shooting,
my SOM"
"Hit what you aim at, of course"
Indeed, some people hit things they
do not aim at"
Certainly; but I should try to
avoid blunders."
"My son,I don't think you have any
real need OF pistol"
"But, father, suppose should meet
mad dog or IA gorilla?"
Father smiled. "John," said he, IT
am a great deal older than you, and
have never met either mad dog or
a gorilla; whenever I do will get you
a pistol, not before.' ...
Where there is q will there is way.
My will was good enough, if I could
only contrive the way, so I kept
planning over and over how to get the
| o0vntaH l. I.
lay awake thinking of nothing but a.
pistol. Ihad been in bed obout thirty
minutes when there came a rap at my
door; supposing it was my mother I
said, "Come ill.," What was my as
tonishment to see q pistol walk in.
rubbed my eyes to assure myself that
l was not asleep; then l sat up in bed.
GLOW do you do?" said the pistol,
walking up and seating himself on my
bed. l stammered out something
about not expecting company.
"Of course, it is an unusual hour for
callers, but knowing how much you
wanted a pistol | felt it my duty to
come immediately"
81 believe prefer dumb pistol"
faltered
|
gorilla within two feet OF you.:'
~ mean, sir, one that can't walk
off and leave me, you know"
"Well," said the pistol, Il do not
suppose you would want me; no one
does when he hears my story. It is a
very sad one and I never tell it to any
one but boys"
And without further delay lie began:
"When was quite young very fool
ish father bought me for his son John.
He was about your age and size. He
was very kind to me; handled me ten
derby; kept me we'll polished, fed me
well, took me with him almost every
where he went, except to school. This
the principal positively forbade; but
as my education was born with me-
all completed, [ did not care about
going to school. Twas allowed to go
to all the horse-races, fairs, circuses,
etc. | even went to church once when
the twins were christened, and when
Miss Bess was married occupied
place on the mantel, where I could see
the wedding ceremony. All! those
were happy days
| Here the pistol stopped as if unable
to continue
"Will you please finish your story,
Mr.. Pistol?" l ventured to remark.
"Ah; yes, was thinking of the last
time | accompanied my young master.
1t was on the night OF the Fourth of
July. We went out to have q good
time. All the boys were out sending
up sly-rocl1ets, etc, etc. In the midst
Of the fun, two of the boys got into a
quarrel about some fre-crackers. My
master was calledup for witness.
One of the boys disputed his word;
this brought on another quarrel My
master called the boy a liar, where
upon the boy struck my master;
then oh, the horror Of that moment!
my master drew me out OF his
pocket, and before I could utter a
remonstrance, fired! There was one
piercing shrek. The boy fell dead at
my masters feet. Then the horrible
cry ofmurder rang out. My master
dropped me and fled for his life.
tried to conceal myself under the side
walk, but was found and brought
into a court as a witness against my
loved young master was forced to
speak the truth, and after long trial
the jury brought in a verdict OF guilty.
Oh, it makes my heart sick whenever
I think of it! How white my young
master was, and when the verdict was
rendered he tainted. Then the father
cried out: oh, it was all my fault!
If l had not bought that miserable
pistol! Oh, my poor boy! Then every
body began to cry. That was the
last time | ever saw my beloved mas
ter. Since then I have had several
owners. The next one shot himself in
the leg by careless handling of me.
The next one fired me off acct
IDENTIFY in the house, and scared the
baby into fits. My next owner,
in trying to kill a chicken for
dinner shot his neighbours pet dog,
and had to pay $40 to keep out Of
q lawsuit. The next man who got
possession OF me came near killing his
wife, supposing her to be a burglar.
Just now don't belong to anybody;
my last owner lost me after paying
SIS for me. I hope no one will ever