Boy leaves home. Crossroads. Killed by same pistol no matter which road he takes.

[Oldsarge]

In my latter years, I seem to be revisiting many old favorites. As a child in the 50's/60's and up into the 70's/80's, I was more into Scifi than lately. So I don't recall if this short story or novella is from an old book in the library, one of the many mags I subscribed to or what. Anyhow, it has been much on my mind of late. It is broken up into four chapters or sections.

A young man leaves home to seek his fortune - I believe in Europe and I also believe around the time of the French Revolution. He comes to a crossroads at which he can take either the left or right road or continue straight ahead. (End of first section.) From here, the other three chapters describe the events that occur (or would occur) had he taken each of the three roads. At the end of each set of different adventures, he is killed for a different reason by the same pistol, which I seem to recall belonged to some nobleman, but not necessarily wielded by that gentleman.

That's my recollection. Any help to my aging gray cells is appreciated. Thanks much.

 

[NannyOgg]

It's an O. Henry short story. I don't know the name of it, though.

 

[HareBrain]

I took up the Google challenge. It's called Roads of Destiny.

(Though even with @NannyOgg giving the author, it was surprisingly unstraightforward.)

 

[Oldsarge]

Ahh. NannhyOgg and HairBrain, you are mindsavers!! And it is available to re-read on-line at a link I may not use yet. I had his complete collection which I had read at one point, but my mother-in-law disposed of it while we were over-seas in the 60's , never to be replaced (along with my wife's large Elvis memorabilia collection). Not SF&F - quite - I'm afraid, but somewhat similarly themed and thought-provoking. Now for that, "A Rose For Ecclesiastes", "A Canticle For Liebowitz", "The Star", early Larry Niven, the Riverworld series, Foundation, etc. etc. Onward and upward! Thanks again.

 

[NannyOgg]

First time I've been able to answer one on here! Glad I could help!