The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-06-25
THE "LEAVITT" SHOTGUN,

All is fair in love, war, or collect
Ing. A writer in Army and Navy Life
tells how he finally got possession of
the coveted ''Leayitt shotgun" - a
weapon with a rom antic history. 1t
is supposed to have been left in Port
land, Me-, by an English lord, who
came to this country to find a family
black sheep, in the shape of a young
er brother. The gun had four bar
rels, so arranged that the lower pair
could be revolved into position as
soon as the upper pair had been fired.
The writer had come upon a farmer
who offered to show him his collec-
ton, never suspecting that his guest
was a connoisseur.
l recognized the Leavitt gun the
moment it came through the door
way. Ny heart jumped so I won
dered that he didn't ask what was the
matter with me. I didn't touch that
gun for long time. I handled most
of the others and priced some of
them. Finally ventured:
''That is a curious looking gun.
Where did you get it?'
THAT? Why, lemme see. I
bought that Off Tim Brown just be-
fore he died. Thought I could make
a dollar or two, maybe, on account of
Its havin' four shots instead of two.
But 1 paid putty high for it, and so
couldn't sell it cheap; an then it's so
.arnal heavy-weighs thirteen pounds
the boys wouldn't buy it. 1 was
tfisgusted with myself, so / jest
wrapped it up and laid it away in a
meal chest, and it's been there ever
since"
1 looked it over critically, balanced
1t, hefted it and aimed it at the spot
where I came out of the woods.
What do you want for this gun?'
[ asked, indifferently, laying it across
my knees.
He hesitated some time, apparently
debating with himself whether judg-
ing from my appearance I would
stand good charge.
"Wat. 1 tell ye," he finally said,
"low will a dollar a barrel suit ye?"
"Flne," said 1, passing him two
two dollar bills.
Cant l sell We another, or mebbe
two or three, for spec?" he asked.
'I'll Just stand this one inside the
door, as one bought already" said L.,
suiting the action to the word, "and
we will look the others over again."
About then a newcomer arrived.
"Just what I came to see," said he,
smiling. and Indicating the heap Of
guns. II heard of your guns in, Noe
kit, and 1 came right over to see
them. I live in New York, and I col:
lect firearms for hobby, especially
during vacation"
Firearms are my hobby, too" I
said. 81 have about 400, antique
and curious ones together"
Isaiah Days expression was some
thing to see.
The stranger and I looked over the
pile of guns together, but they were
cheap percussion and breech loading
shotguns, altered flint muskets and
worn out rifles. There was nothing
there that we wanted. Day didn't
urge us to buy any, but chewed a
straw, and had a faraway look in his
eyes.
The stranger and l rose to go. I
reached within the door and swung
the gun out on to my shoulder. The
stranger Strengthened as if he We're
stung. His eyes opened wide and his
mouth opened, too.
did you get that here?"
"Just as you came out of the
woods" l said.
''Is it the Leavitt gun?"
''It really is,'' 1 answered.
We started along together. Day
came, too.
What did you say your name ls?"
he asked me.
Sawyer"
81 don't seem to remember any
Sawyer in Nockit.'
"Probably not. 1 don't live there
Il spend my summers there-my
home is in Boston"
"O-ho," said he, you're a city
man! What do you want of that
gum"
"Just to look at" l answered gen.
tally.
'I don't believe it. There's some
mystery about it. l believe I'd orter
asked you more for it; if I'd been
bright 1 bet you'd paid another dollar
a barrel for it..
Maybe l would" said 7, "but it is
too late now