The Press., 1891-12-31
EXTRAORDINARY GUN AcCI-
 DENTS.

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 Don't point that gun at me or I'll knock you down, said a well-known doc tor to me the other day.
 Don't get your hair off; it is not load ed, saidI.
 "No; but if you had as many accidents under your treatment as have had thro' that very thing, you would say exactly what have, or something stronger" The doctor continued: "One of the first cases I remember is that of a black smith who had gun taken to him to ex- tract the nipple, which was rusty and tight. He placed the barrel in the fire and held it with one hand, with the muz- gle pointing to him, while he blew the bellows with the other. The gun hap pened to be loaded, and the consequence was that it went of, killing him. Another sad case was that of friend of mine who went to a gunsmith's to buy 8 revolver, previous to going abroad. The man behind the counter handed him a number of new revolvers to choose from, and my friend kept on trying the pulls, when one of them went of, killing the salesman instantaneously. At the in- quest it appeared that the revolver was one of a number sent on approval to gentleman, and before sending them back he evidently overlooked cartridge in one of the chambers, with this dire result. Jack Willis was noted for his poaching proclivities, and used to wear the usual poaching coat with the enormous pockets, in one of which he was accustomed to keep the stock of his gun, and in the oth- CT the barrel, loaded and with the cap on, all ready for shot. During one of his midnight excursions, after indulging in Q glass too much, he stumbled on going over stile; the barrel fell out of his pocket, caught the trigger sharp knock on the ground, and his dead body, found by the keeper next morning, told it's own sad tale.
 A few weeks after obtained the privi- l lege to use the mystic letters M. D. was at friends house spending the evening. His son, a boy of sixteen, was playing with small old-fashioned pistol, which he held between his knees, muzzle up- wards, and rammed a charge home with & small steel ramrod. All of sudden we were startled by the pistol going off, and the ramrod was blown into the poor boys forehead, where it remained for over six months before we deemed it safe to extract it.
 One of my fellow students once bought an old gun, which he intended to use in some private theatricals he was produc- ing. Several of his fellow-comrades were in his room one night, and the gun came up for criticism. One of them picked it up and pointed it, pulling the trigger, the gun going off and binding one of the poor fellows for life, as we'll as disfiguring him.
 During my student days paid visit to an uncle of mino, where had some very pretty cousins, one of whom is now my wife. After dinner one day I picked tup gun that was lying on the floor by the old-fashioned eight-day clock, and carelessly pointed it at my intended, keeping her covered with it as she laugh ingly ran round the room. I was just on the point of pulling the trigger when my uncle mumbled out, "Tek keer, my lad, its loaded"
 l dropped the gun and tainted. Many a time have my wife and congratulated each other on our narrow escape. l When the "Reprieve" company was Iplaying at the local theater the other week, number of supers were engaged as soldiers, and the property man was Isent round the town to get as many old rifles as possible.
 l The hero is led out to be shot, and the men are pointing their guns at him, await ing the word "Fire," when a reprieve Is brought in, upon which the curtain is rung down quickly.
 One of the supers more clever than the rest, had the trigger of his Snider rife up, and pulled, just taking off the hero's ear and crashing through the scenery.
 No, my lad, never point firearms at people, or you may have lifelong regret for an accideptal murder.