I've been trying to find the name of a book/short story that I read 30 years ago in school. I have done multiple Google searches and story plot search engines as well. My hopes is that one of you may have read it and recall the name.

This is what I remember of the story line. A nephew is sent to live with his Uncle/Great Uncle and Aunt on a farm. One day a wounded man/soldier arrives and asks the boy to hide him. The boy asks the man/soldier for money or such to keep quiet about the man. The man/soldier gives something of value and the boy hides him in the barn. Later some men/soldiers arrive and tell the boy they are looking for a man/soldier. The boy asks if there is a reward or such and the men/soldiers offer something like $20 and the boy takes the money and tells them that the man/soldier they are looking for is hiding in the barn. The men/soldiers take the man/soldier away for execution or such. The Uncle arrives and see's the men riding off and asks what is what. The boy tells with a manner of pride how he was able to double dip by getting something of value from the hiding man and a reward from his pursuers. The Uncle seeing that his nephew will become a deceitful/evil person tells the boy to dig a grave; which he does and say all of the prayers that he knows. Just as he finishes his last prayer he turns to his Uncle and pleads not to be shot and the Uncle shoots him dead.

Well that is the gist of it. I may be wrong on some things (hence the man/soldier) but that is the story as I remember it.

Sounds Edgar Allan Poe but I don't know.

I tried googling "uncle shoots boy story" and all I can find are many thousands of news reports about boys shooting their uncles, being shot by their uncles, or being shot by uncles' rifles that accidentally discharge. I suppose I should post the links in the "What's it gonna take?" thread.

I found the same thing in my searches. I think it took place during the Civil War but not sure. It drives me crazy that I can't find it. Normally I am exceptionally good and finding things on the web. My hope is that one of you also read the story while in school and recalls the name or author.

@Tommy I've read a lot of Poe so I don't think it was him, besides it was not a tale of horror but rather one of morality.

@Balducci I have been looking for the title for over a year. The "What's it gonna take?" thread renewed my search and is relevant to that thread as well.

I'm looking for the title or source of a short story myself. Would you mind if I mention it in here?

Not at all...

Was the author American, European, or other?

No Tommy, it doesn't sound like Poe at all. Not to me. It's sounds more like something O'Henry would have written. That's where I'd look.

Actually, I've got some time now. Maybe I'll give it a whirl.

A bit like the Brothers Grimm to me...

Harsh ending. I thought the Uncle was going to have the boy put the money in the grave to teach him a lesson.
Iven

Sounds like a book I will read when I need cheering up.

I have no idea who the author may be, but I'm assuming American. I do believe it may have taken place during the Civil War but not 100% sure. The story has stuck with me over all these years. It has to do with recognizing a bad seed and responsibility of releasing an evil upon the world. Broadly, it can even compare to the scenario of would you kill Hitler as a child if you could (Time travel analogy).

If any of you guys are looking for a long lost story/book feel free to post it here.

Could it have been something by Stephen King?

I don't think so. It was 30 years ago and it would have resurfaced by now.

So... the boy pulls a con, and the Uncle commits murder. Am I think only one who thinks this "morality" tale might be a bit skewed?

Post it under "The Gambling Spot.". Maybe some of them will start flying right.

It was more than just a con. He exploited a vulnerable man and sold him out as soon as there was profit in it. I believe the nephew was sent to the Uncle and Aunt to straighten him out. The Uncle saw the true nature of the boy and decided to prevent him from doing future evil to the world. He does have him say all the prayers that the boy knows in an attempt to cleanse his soul as it was, and when he does shoot the boy it is not done with malice. He doesn't curse the boy or cause undo stress... other than I'm going to shoot you with this here gun.

Thanks critter, I was wondering if I was going nuts.

Well I reckon the Uncle failed then. The boy couldn't learn anything dead. Wonder what this "heroic" Uncle did with the money?
I mean, whatever side of the fence you're on with the death penalty, I'm sure a little boy double dipping doesn't qualify.
Maybe if the Uncle'd had him do the hole digging and then afterwards said "next time you're going in it" he could have scared the boy straight. But just to go straight to "you messed up, gotta' kill ya'." Dude.
Instead of a teacher, the Uncle here is a murderer. Guy doesn't get to teach lessons, he's a murderer, and a child murderer to boot.
That's Tales From the Crypt. It's entertaining as horror, but I wouldn't call it a good morality tale.