She survived but a few hours

Miss Smith, daughter of Mr. George Smith, of Toppesfield, Essex, about 19 years of age, being on a visit to Mr. Thompson, of Fryerning, a gun having attracted her attention, she took it up, and presented it at the maid servant, not supposing it to be loaded, but on pulling the trigger, it did not go off. In a short time after, the maid servant got possession of the gun, and in her turn pointed the gun at Miss Smith, when the contents, a full charge, entered her side, and she survived but a few hours.