The young master of Hyson Hall

The Young Master of Hyson Hall
BY Frank R. Stockton Author of “Captain Chap,” “Rudder Grange,” etc.
With Illustrations by VIRGINIA H. DAVISSON and CHARLES H. STEPHENS
PHILADELPHIA J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 1900
Copyright, 1882, by James Elverson. Copyright, 1899, by J. B. Lippincott Company. Electrotyped and Printed by J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, U.S.A.
( By the Author )
This story was originally published in a paper for boys, under the title of “Philip Berkeley; or, the Master’s Gun.” It has recently been thoroughly revised, and a new title, which better expresses the import and purposes of the story, has been given to it upon this its first appearance in book form.
Those who may remember the story as it originally appeared will find that the master’s gun still exercises the same subtle influence over the fortunes of the Master of Hyson Hall as it did when it enjoyed the honor of a place in the title.
THE YOUNG MASTER OF HYSON HALL
I may as well say at once that Old Bruden was the name of a double-barrelled shot-gun. It had originally belonged to a man by the name of Bruden, and by him had been traded for a cow to one of his neighbors.
From this person it had come, by purchase, into the possession of old Mr. Berkeley, of Hyson Hall, of whom I shall speak presently.
This double-barrelled shot-gun—which was now called by the name of its original owner—was not, at the time our story begins, a very valuable piece of property.