Several years ago, it is told that a traveler lost his way in the backwoods of Graham County. While wondering which path to take, he heard the breaking of twigs in the underbrush, and presently there emerged an overgrown boy with a rifle on his arm. By way of opening conversation, the traveler remarked, “That’s a good looking gun you have.”
“Yes”, replied the youth, “this was grandpa’s gun. He carried it through the war between the states”.
Surprised by this statement, the traveler looked at the gun more closely. “Why, the barrel,” he said, “seems shorter than those of the Civil War period.”
“Yes,” said the boy, “Pap had a new barrel put on.”
The traveler continued his examination of the gun. “That looks like a new stock,” he observed.
“Yes,” said the boy, “Pap had that put on.”
“The lock can’t be very old either,” observed the traveler.
“Pap had that put on too,” said the boy.
“Then you must have a new gun.”
“No,” said the boy, “it’s the same old gun grandpa carried through the war between the states.”