PURPOSE
When Abraham Lincoln was keeping store in Salem, Illinois, he had a beautiful gun prominently displayed so all would see it. The little sign under it seemed to imply that it was a quality product. The gun was said to be made from the finest Swedish steel, the stock from the best black walnut wood, and a world famous gunsmith had made the gun. It was a beauty! The price was reasonable — too reasonable. On the next rack were several old long barrel Kentucky squirrel rifles made from ordinary good gun steel. The stocks were just ordinary wooden stocks. The gunsmith’s inscription was recognized as one who was competent but by no means famous. The price was much higher. A customer in the market for a new rifle looked the wares over and was impressed by the nice shiny gun. He asked Abe, “Why is the good gun so cheap and the other guns so high?” Abe replied, “That gun won’t shoot.…
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