The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-06-14
ATHRILIiNe SCENE.
BY CHARLES RAND.

Tho following narratives truo one-dc-
scribes scene that actually took place not
many years since, In country town in the
State Of Maine. uF =.
Ono evening in the month of December
eighteen hundred and thirty y-four number
Of townsmon had assembled at the store OF
Mr. Thomas Putnam, to talk over matters and
things, smoke, drink, and in short anything
to kill time. Z. az ss,f et "a s.ia.r.. a..
bsCome," said Charles Hatch. ono of the CON-
pany, "lets all liquor, and then have game
Of 'high-low-jsck! - Y ails~ s.'i .i-
$50 Iyssy," exclaimed another, "who's got
the cardsrs r. 3y5 ,sf Il 5I n
| "Fetch on YOUR keerds," drawled out third.
his eyes half closed through tho effect Of tho
liquor he had drank.
After drinking all round, an old pine table
was drawn up before tho Fireplace. where
burning brightly large fire Of henilock logs.
which would snap and crackle, throwing large
live ,oSa.s upon the hearth. -, sTe-g 4
All drew around the table, seating them
selves on whatever came handiest. Four of
them bad rolled up to the table some kegs,
which from their weight were supposed to con-
tain nails.
"Now," said Hatch. "what shall we play
every one for himseff' 30 ~ a5
"No, have partners" growlod ono man.
"No, hanged if I'll play so," shouted the
former, bringing his fist down upon the table,
knocking one candle out ofths stick, and an
other upon the floor. . m9t bg Iiag .4
"Come, come" said Hatch, "no quarrelng.
all who say for partners, stand up"
Three arose
snow, all who say each one for himself
stand up" -,,-,t r,,s u..ot
The remaining four Immediately got up"
ssVo.. saa n.,ol. ea;J uatch q, ha ,,a;or
ity arc against you Come will you play:"
swell, asI don't want to be on the oppo-
site side, I'll play" answered Barclay, some
what cooled down. .als.rs h. 5--a
In Mr.. Pu nam was not in the store that even
ing, and the clerk who was bnsy behind the
counter, had taken very little notice of the pro-
cecding. About half past ten, Mr.. Putnum
thought he would step over 10 tho store and
see that everything was safe.
When within few stops of wbero tho men
were sitting, no started back in horror.
Before him sat seven men, half crazy with
drink and the excitement of playing cards
there they were within few feet of tho fire
inst described-and four Of them seated on
kegs OF po,oder!
Barclay, who was avery heavy man, had
pressed In the head If the keg on which he
sat, bursting the top hoop, and pressing the
pOWueT Out through inc CulUks. Dy inc con =
tinued motto of their feet, the powder had
become spread about tho floor. and now COW
cred space of two feet all around them.
Mr.. Putnam's first movement was towards
the door, but recovering himself, he walked dy
towards the fire. Should either of them at
tempt to rise. he thought, and scat,era few
grains little farther to the Fireplace, where
lay a large quantity Of liv" coal!
At that moment, Hatch looked up. and see-
ing Mr.. Putnam with his face deadly pale, ga
zing into The fire. exclaimed
"Good God, Putnam, hat ails you?" and
at the same time made motion to rise.
"For Heavens sake. gentlemen do not rise,'
said Mr. Putnam. 'FOnr of you sit on kegs
of powder; it is scattered al around you: one
movement might send yon: all into eternity
There are two buckets OF water behind the
bar--but keep your seats for one minute, and
you are savcd-move and you arc dead menl'
I'm an instant every man wa perfectly So
bered-not limb moved-each seemed paral-
lied.
In less time than we have taken to describe
this thrilling scene. Mr.. Putnam had poured
the water on and completely saturated TO pow
der on the A or and exinquishcd the fire, so
that explosion was impossible Then, and not
till then, was there word spoken.
True Flag.