| Show A A 0 0 as F A IV tm IK MI THE TIN SWORD once upon a time two swords hung bung on tha wall of ayeal a real soldiers room one was a largo sword and had been in a real war the tha koterwas other oter was a little tin sword which the real soldier played with when he was a little boyi boy when he hung the big sword on the wall after he came home from the war ho said you are much larger than this little fellow beside you but you have never killed indiana and he be has although he laughed when he said it the little tin sword felt itself of great importance and it did not mind in the least leas t the size of the big sword which was many times as large as it was that night when the house wils was still and dark and the only light la in the room was from the dying embers on the hearth the little sword said to the big sword Is it true that you never killed an indian 1 I have never killed anyone answered the big sword with dignity what Is the use of being a sword asked the little one if you hever never have killed anyone why I 1 have killed so many indians that I 1 cannot remember how many 1 I have been in battles too continued the little sword and cut down the enemy and once a dog was a bear and I 1 killed him too how could a flog dog be a bear asked the big sword taking notice ot the little sword tor for the fiert tine time when it was not asked a direct question because the little boy said bald it was replied the little sword and once a cat was a tiger and we went tiger hunting too how about the indians asked the big sword were they real or play indians real ot of course answered the little e sword everything was real that we did the indians indiana wore long tr trousers 0 users with feathers in the side of the legs and a band ot of long feathers sticking up around their heads you should have heard them shout and gi tho war cry was there any blood shed asked the big sword beginning to understand what the little sword was talking about better than it did itself what Is that asked the little sword tt you had ever been in real battles you w would not ask replied the big sword but you have never killed anyone and I 1 have said the little sword 1 I do not see why you should say I 1 have never been in a real battle when you have never done anything worth telling ot of yourself there Is a great deal to be done in a battle besides killing replied the big sword 1 I led the men who did the fighting and directed them the generalee general he held ld me high above his bis head so that all the soldiers who were following would know where to go and what to do and I 1 saw the enemy falling I 1 1 I have been in battles too all around me but I 1 do not like to tuat about these things everything Is peaceful now and I 1 am glad there is no red mark upon my shining blade 1 I 1 guess it if you had done such auch deeds as I 1 have said the little tin ill sure that he was the hero you would want to tell all about them my y dear little tin sword said bald the big sword you do not seem to understand that you are not a real sword at all but sword the indians indiana you killed were little boys dressed in indian costumes and played at being I 1 killed k at ur battles yere all make believe and the little boy oi who carried you has grown up and Is a real soldier now but dont you mind said the big sword as the tin sword began to rattle uneasily on the wall you were the first sword he carried end and you were abo one that taught him to honor his country so you have a great deal for which to be thankful we will divide honors honoro you were wera the first and I 1 hope I 1 am the last sword he be will ever bo be called upon to carry tor for his country the little tin sword grew grew quiet and the last ember on the hearth grew black the room was dark all was still and tho the little tin sword was asleep sleep ri c |
