Accident Investigation

"The Last Thing"

A terrific explosion occurs in a gunpowder factory,
and once all the mess has been cleared up, an
inquiry begins.

One of the few survivors is pulled up to make a
statement. "Okay, Simpson," says the investigator,
"You were near the scene - what happened?"

"Well, it's like this. Old Charley was in the mixing
room, and I saw him take a cigarette out of his
pocket and light up."

"He was smoking in the mixing room?" the investigator
said in stunned horror, "How long had he been with
the company?"

"About twenty years, sir"

"Twenty years in the company, then he goes and strikes a
match in the mixing room? I'd have thought that would
have been the last thing he'd have done."

"It was, sir."