Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-01-13
THE TIN SWORD.
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure News.
paper Syndicate.)

copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
once upon a time, two swords hung
on the wall of a real soldiers room,
oHe was a large sword and had been
"a a real war. The other was a little
I'm sword which the real soldier had
piayed with when he was a little boy.
when he hung the big sword on the
wan aIter he came home from The war,
re sag, You are much larger than
TINS little fellow beside you, but you
rave never killed Indians, and he has"
AIthough he laughed when he said
IT. the little tin sword felt itself of
great importance, and it did not mind
IN the least the size Of the big SWORD
was.
That night. when the house was still
and dark, n the only light in the
room was from the dying embers on
the hearth the little sword said to the
pig sword. rs it true that you never
killed an indiana"
have never killed anyone" an
sWered the big sword with dignity.
what Is Inc use of being a sword 2"
asked the little one, 81 you never have
killed anyone. Why I have killed so
many Indians that 1 cannot remember
now many And the little sword be-
gan 10 swell with pride and import
oDAhS Gil ZIG VI SWOIu Will
pity and p~atronizing glances.
! nave been in battles. too," con-
tinued the little sword, and cut down
ehe enemy and once a dog was a peal
and l killed him. too"
HOW could a dog be a bear" asked
Tie sword for the first time when it
was not asked a. direct question.
the little boy said it was"
replied the little sword. And once a
cat was a tiger, n we went tiger
hunting, too"
How about the Indians" asked the
pig sword. were they real or play In
1iaEs?"
Real, OF course" answered the little
sword. everything was real that we
did. The Indians wore long trousers
with feathers in the side of the legs
ana a band of long feathers sticking
up around their heads. You should
have heard them shout and give the
war cry"
Was there any blood shedo" asked
the big sword. beginning to under
stand what the little sword was talk
Ing about better than it did itself.
What is that?" asked the little
sword.
If you had ever been in real battle
you would not ASK" replied the big
sword.
But you have never killed anyone
and l have" said the little sword: II
DO not see why you should say l have
never been in a real battle when you
have never done anything worth tell
Ing of yourself"
,Ihere Is a great deaf to be dom in
a battle besides killing" replied the
big sword. II led the men who did the
fighting and directed them. The gen
eral held me high above his head, SO
that all the soldiers who we're follow
inc WOlld know uyhoro En- no ord a.
to do. and l saw the enemy falling all
around me But I do not like to. talk
about these things. Everything is
peaceful now. and l am glad there is
no red mark upon my shining blade.'
Il guess IL you had done such deeds
still sure that he was the hero, you
would want to tell about them"
My dear little tin sword" said the
big sword, you do not seem to UNDER
stand that you are not q real sword at
all. but just a toy sword. The Indians
o killed were little boys dressed in
Indian costumes and played at being
killed.
Your battles We're all make believe,
and the little boy who carried you has
grown up and is a real soldier now.
But don't you mind" said the big
sword. as the tin sword began to rattle
uneasily on the wall, you were the
the one that taught him to honor his
country, SO you have a great deal for
which to be thankful.
1--WE will divide honors. You were
the first. and I hope / am the last
sword he VIII ever be called upon to
carry for his country"
The little tin sword grew quiet and
the last ember on the hearth egrew
black. The room was dark. all was
still. and h little tin sword was
asleep.