A BRUMMAGEM GUN. 21 



though he be a bit crippled by a Brummagem 

 gun, he be all right in the trigger finger." 



Yes, years have passed by since that terrible 

 accident happened to me, and my children, 

 clambering on my knee, will ask, " ^hat is the 

 matter with poor papa's hand ? How is it he 

 has only three fingers, and the rest are so "ugly 

 looking ?" 



I answer their inquiries a Brummagem gun. 



Nearly all those who stood by me that day 

 and saw the accident are dead and gone ; 

 " Knock 'em Down " is under the sod, but, 

 above and dearer than all, my mother has long- 

 since been taken to her last home. " Knock 

 'em Down " had bought the gun of a cheap Jack, 

 and acknowledged it. The old keeper often 

 comes in after dinner to have his glass of poorte 

 (as he calls it) and talk to the Colonel, my 

 father, an old man (still older than Mathew), 

 whose white and silvery locks the brats are en- 

 deavouring to curl and put into all sorts of 

 shapes. The eldest, an intelligent lad of nine, 

 will commence teasing the old keeper and mock- 

 ingly ask him to teach him how " to shute." 

 "" He must ; mustn't he, grandpapa ?" 



