You're the wust boy that ever lived, and you'll be hung jest as sure as I stan' here!" "How did it happen, Pomp ?" asked Mr.Morton quietly.
"It jest shooted itself!" said Pomp, in whom the old lady's words inspired a vague feeling of alarm.

"I 'clare to gracious, Mass' Morton, it did!" "Didn't you have the gun in your hand, Pomp?
Where did you get it ?" "I jest borrered it of Mass' Frank, to play sojer a little while," said Pomp reluctantly.
"Does he know that you have got it ?" "I 'clare I done forgot to tell him," said Pomp reluctantly.
"Will you promise never to touch it again ?" "Don't want to!" ejaculated Pomp, adding spitefully, "He kick me over!" "I'm glad on't," said the old lady emphatically, with a grim air of satisfaction.

"That'll l'arn you not to fire it off at your elders ag'in.

I've a great mind to box your ears, and sarve you right, too." Mrs.Payson advanced, to effect her purpose; but Pomp was wary, and, adroitly freeing himself from Mr.Morton's grasp, butted at the old lady with such force that she would have fallen backward but for the timely assistance of Mr.Morton, who sprang to her side.

Her bag fell to the ground, and she struggled to regain her lost breath.
"Oh!" groaned the old lady, gasping for breath, "he's mos' knocked the breath out of me.