The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-28
AN INSTRUCTIVE STORY

When was about - years old, decided
that l was old enough to own and carry
pistol. Other boys not so tall as l was
could boast the ownership of a pistol; so
one evening, as father was drawing on his
gloves, / astonished him by asking permis-
sion to carry a pistol.
"a pistol! Whom do you want to shoOt?"
"NO one, sir. l only want to learn to
shoot properly"
What do you call proper shooting my
son?"
Hit what you aim at, of course"
"lndeed, some people nit things they do
not aim at"
Certainly; but I should try to avoid
blunders."
my son. don't think you have any real
need of pistol"
But. father, suppose should meet mad
dog or "a gorilla?"
Father smiled. John" said he, 81 am a
great deal older than you, and have never
met either mad dog or gorilla; whenever
do l will get you pistol. not before"
Where there is will there is way. My
will was good enough, if | could only con-
triye the way, so | Kept planning over aud
over how 10 get the coveted treasure. After
l Went to bed lay awake thinking of moth
ing but pistol. | had been in bed about
thirty minutes when there came a rap at my
door; surprising it was my mother | said,
Come in" What was my astonisment to
see pistol walk in. | rubbed my eyes to
assure myself that l was not asleep; then |
sat up in bed
How do you do?" said the pistol, walk
ing up and seating himself on my bed. l
stammered out something about not expect
Ing company.
"Of course, it is an unusual hour for call
ers, but, knowing how much you wanted
pistol. felt it my duty to come immedi-
ately."
=" l believe prefer dumb pistol" I fall
tered.
"Ha! ha! one that won't fire, with 60
rilla within two feet of you"
~ mean, sir, one that can't walk off
and leave me. you know"
We'll" said the pistol, Il do not suppose
you woGld want me; no one does when he
hears my. story. 1t is very sad one and l
never tell it to anyone but boys"
And without further delay lie began:
when l was qnite young very foolish
father bought me for his son John. He was
about your age and size. He was very kind
to me; handled me tenderly; kept me we'll
polished, fed me well. took me with him al
most everywhere lie went except to school,
This the principal positively forbade; but
as my education was born with me, all COM
peted, did not care about going to school.
| was allowed 10 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 a
place on the mantel. where l could see the
wedding ceremony. All! those were happy
days"
Here the pistol stopped as If unable to
continue.
viii you please finish your story, Mr..
Plstol?' l ventured to remark.
An yes; l was thinking of the last
time l accompanied my young master. 1t
was the nghS OF the Fourth of July We
went out TO have a good time. All the
boys were out sending up sky-rockets, ETC.,
etc. In the midst of the fun, two of the
boys, got into quarrel about some fire.
crackers. My master was called up 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 be-
fore l could utter a remonstrance, fired
There was one piercing shrek. Tie boy
Tell dead at my masters feet. Then the
horrible cry, of murder rang out My mas
ter dropped me and fled for his life. |
tried TO conceal myself under the sidewalk,
but was found and brought into a court
as witness against my loved young mas
ter. | was forced 10 speak the truth,
and after a long trial the jury brought
heart sick whenever think of it! How
white my young master was, and when the
verdict was rendered he tainted. Then the
father cried ou:: 'Oh, it was all my fault
II had not bought that miserable pistol!
Oh, my poor boy! Then everybody began
to cry. That was the last time l ever saw
my beloved master. Since then l have had
several owners. The next one shot himself
IN the leg by his careless handling of me.
The next one fired me off accidentally in the
house, and scared tn. baby into fits. NV
next owner, in trying to kill chicken for
dinner, shot his neighbours pet dog, and had
to pay $40 to keep out of a 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 any,
body; my last owner lost Inc after paying
30 Tor me. 1 hope no one will ever find me.
l was born an unlucky creature. | don't
think was ever of any real use to anybody.
On the contrary, have been the indirect
cause of great deal of trouble. | have
caused the death of one person, imprisoned
one, wounded third. threw the baby into
hts, Killed petdOg, made enemies of friends,
narrowly escaped killing mans wife,
cheated man out of IS, and have never
had h, chance to kill mad dog or gorilla.
I'm dangerous Companion for boys.
Parents have no business to buy pistols for
the careless handling o f passionate boys"
just here somebody gave me vigorous
shake, and mother said How sound you
do Sleep Johnl Will you never wake I'M
this morningP"
When l went down father asked me If l
still wanted a pistol l told him no, I'd
rather have tin rattle.
But if you should meet mad dog or
gorilla. what would you do with a tin
rattle?"
About as much as / would do with
pistol; throw it down and run"
am now forty years old. l never did
own pistol, never had any use for one.
have never met either gorilla or a mad
dog. I'm thankful that Mr. Pistol came
and told me the story of his adventuresome
life, or l might have owned a pistol and
been murderer.-The Housekeeper.