"Will you tell me a story this evening, father?" asked William P., a fine lad of twelve years of age, the son of General P., who had been a gallant officer in the revolutionary war.
"And what story shall I tell you, my son?" said the general.
"Something about the war, father."
"You are always for hearing about the war, William," said General P. "I have told you almost all the stories I recollect. And besides, William, if you love to hear about war so well, when you are young, you will wish to be a soldier, when you become a man."
"And would you not wish to have me a soldier, father, if war should come?—you was once a soldier, and I have heard people say, that you was very brave, and fought like a hero!"
"Well, well, William," said the general, "I must tell you one story more. Where are Henry and John? You may call them—they will like to hear the story too."
(Enter William, Henry and John.)
Henry. "Father! William says you are going to tell us a story about the war! what——"
John. "Shall you tell us about some battle, where you fought?"