This .22 cal semi-automatic Mossberg rifle purchased in Cincinnati, Oh in1945, by Raymond Martin Ware.  Purchase of said rifle at this time caused great anguish, concern, and apprehension in the Ware household.

I; Raymond Martin Ware, party of the first part, by purchase of such an item at that period in time, caused the party of the second part, namely the spouse of the party of the first part, and Lillie Mae McKnight Ware, mother of the party of the, first part, to wonder about the mental stability of the party of the first part.

The party of the first part had always wanted, in my growing years, a rifle like my cousin; one Shafter McKnight had. And being a little jealous of the cousin of the party of the first part, did declare that, whenever he did get in a position to purchase such a prize, he would do so.

Prior to the Great War of 1941-45, the party of the first part and the cousin thereof, did spend many happy hours in the woods east of Lexington, KY, known to the locals as Woodlow. Squirrel, rabbit, and even a tin can or two fell prey to these would be frontiersmen.

There were deer, fox muskrat and other denizens of the woods abounding in this fabulous place. There were numerous sweet water springs bubbling from under the rocks and around tree roots.

The purchase of the rifle at this place in time was the party of the first part’s feeble attempt to relive those happy times, and perhaps bring some of them back. It never happened . Like they say, “You can never go back home”

RW