278 LOxiDED GUNS IN THE HOUSE. 



jured, and he barely missed blowing the cook's 

 head off as well, the powder-horn passing within 

 an inch of it, and leaving a pretty considerable 

 mark in the kitchen ceiling. The other servants 

 being out at the time, this yonth, having obtained 

 possession of a powder-horn, was proceeding to 

 enlighten the cook by the exhibition of his skill in 

 making, as he termed them, fizzes, by dropping 

 powder on a small plate of iron, which had been 

 heated for the purpose, and placed on the table. 

 The consternation of both at the result of the ex- 

 periment may be better imagined than described ; 

 but as cooks are generally insured in the "Sa- 

 lamander Office," they are considered fire-proof, 

 and ours, instead of fainting away, seized the 

 poker to inflict summary punishment on the fat 

 boy for his mischievous prank, as she thought it, 

 upon which he fled into the yard, and on my 

 rushing out to ascertain the cause of the uproar, he 

 was found performing sundry gyrations to the tune 

 of " Hop d my thumb'' 



Serious accidents often occur from guns being 

 left loaded in the house, which should never be 

 allowed, and the powder-horn should be placed 

 out of the reach of children and servants. When 

 youngsters we were rather careless with our guns, 

 which were often left loaded in the hall ; but the 



