Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-04-02

A TH11IMa SCENE.
nj cHAs. BAND.

Name.
One evening in the month Of December, eigh-
teen hundred and thirty-four, a number Of
townsmen had assembled at the store Of Mr.
Thomas Putnam, to talk over matters and
thines-smoke- drink-and in short do any
thing to kill time
Three hours had thus passed away. They had
laughed, and talked, and dra INK, and chatted-
and had d good time, generallyi 50 that about
the usual hour of shutting up shop, each OF the
party felt particularly first rate,
Come said Charles Hatch--one Of the COM
pany-' let's all liquor, and then have game
of high-low- JackP
so l say exclaimed anOther-whO'S got the
cardsp'
Fetch on your keerds,' drawled out third,
his eyes half closed, through the effect OF the IL
quor he had drank. *;
After drinking all round, an old pine table
was drawn up before the fireplace, where
burned brightly large fire Of hemlock logs,
which would snap and crackle-throwing large
live Goals out upon the hearth,
All drew up around the table, seating them
selves ON whatever came handieSt. Four Of
them had rolled up to the table some kegs,
which from their weight were supposed to con-
tain nails.
Now said Hatch, how shall we play-ev-
cry one for himsefP'
tNo-have partners growled one man.
Il say, every one for HIMSELF exclaimed an
other.
mo, hanged if I'll play So shouted the form
er-bringing his fist hard down upon the table,
knockng::one candle out oft he stick, and another
upon the floor
Come, come said Hatch, mo quarreling-
all who say for having partners, stand up
Three arose.
Now all who say, each one for himself
stand up
The remaining four Immediately got up.
you see, Barclay said Hatch, the majority
are against you. Come, will you play p
well, as don't want to be on the opposite
side, I'll play answered Barclay, somewhat
cooled down.
Mr.. Putnam was rot in the store that evening,
and the clerk who was busy behind the counter
had takan very little notice Of the proceedings.
About half past ten, Mr.. Putnam thought he
would step ever TO his store and see that every
thing was safe. AS he went in he walked up
towards the fire.
When within few steps Of where the men
were sitting he 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 the fire
just described-and four of them seated on kegs
Of POWderl
Barclay-who was very heavy man--had
pressed in the head Of the keg on which he sat,
bursting the top hoop, and pressing the powder
out through the chinks. BY the continued mo-
ton OF their feet, the powder had become
spread about the floor, aud now covered space
of two feet all around them.
Mr.. Putnam's first movement was towards
the door, but recovering himself, he walked I'D
toward the fire. Should either Of them ATTEMPT
to rise-he thought-and scatter few grains
a little further into the fireplace, where lay a
large quantity Of live Goals
At that moment Hatch looked UP, and seeing
Mr.. Putnam with his face deadly pale gazing
into the fire, exclaimed.
, Good God, Putnam what ails yOup' and at
the same time made motion to rise.
For heavens sake, gentlemen, do not rise
said Mr. Putnam. Four Of you sit on kegs OF
powder-it is scattered all around you-one
, movement might send you all to eternity. There
are two buckets Of water behind the bar, But
. keep. your seats for one minute and YOU are
sayed--meVe, and you are dead men!'
=; In an instant every NAH was perfectly sober.
ed not limb moved; each seemed paralized.
In less time than we have taken to describe
this thrilling scene, Mr.. Putnam had poured the
water and completely saturated the powder on
the Moor and extinguished the fire so that an
Iexploslon was impossible. Then, and not till
then' was there wSrd spoken.
Before those seven men left the store. that
I night they pledged themselves nevsr TO taste