Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-07-13
a TnriIIinz Scana.

- I4IA1LuS SG0u6.
The following narrative--a true one--de-
scribes scene that actually took place not
many years since, in country town in tho
State of Maine:
One evening in the month Of December
eighteen hundred and thirty-four, number
OF toRnsmen had assembled at the store Of
Mr. Thomas Pu.nIm, to talk over matters
ana things smoke, drink, and in short. do
Three hcurshad passed away. They had
laughed, talked and drank, and chatted, and
had good time generally so that about The
usual hour of shutting up shop, each of tho
party felt particularly irstrate.
Come, said Charles Hatch-one of the
party-let's liquor and then have game Of
high-low Jack
So say I, exclaimed another-who's got
the cards?
Fetch on your keerds, ,drawled out third.
his eyes half closed through the effect of the
liquor he had drank.
After drinking all around, en- ola nina
table was drawn up before the Fireplace
where burned brig ghtly large FIRE of hem.
lock logs, which would snap and crackle-
throwing large live Goals out upon the
hearth.
All drew up around the table, seating
themselves on whatever came handiest.-
Four of them had rolled I'D to the table
some kegs, which from their weight was
supposed tc cc=.zin nails.
Now. said Hatch. how shall we piay
every one for himself
No, have partners, growled one man.
say every one for himself, exclaimed
another.
No. hanged if I'll play so, shouted the
former-bringing bis fst down upon the
table, knocking acandle out Of the stick, and
another on the floor.
Come, come. said Hatch. no quarrellina
all who say for having parties stand up.
Three arose,
NOW all who say for himself, stand up,
The remaining four immediate liz got IN.
You see, Bafclay said Hatch, the maiori.
y Is against toa, Come. will you play1
Well, as | don't want to be on the oppo-
site side, I'll play, answered Barclay some
what cooled down.
Dir. Putnam was not in the store that
evening, and tie clerk was busy behind tbs
counter, and had taken very little notice of
the proceedings. About half past ten, Mr..
Putnam thought he would step over to the
store and see that every thing was safe.
As ne went in he walked up toward the
hre. When within few steps of where the
men were sitting, he started in horror.
Before him sat seven men half crazed with
drink and the excitement OF playing cards.
They were within few feet of the fire lust
desclibed-and four Of them seated on Eeo.
Of powder.
barclay, whonwas very heavy man, had
pressed IN the head Of keg on which ha
sat- bursting the top hoop, and pressing out
the powder through the chinks. By the
continued motion of their feet, the powder
had become spread about the floor, and now
covered thespace of two feet all around them.
Mr.. Putnam's first movement was toward
the door, but recovering himself, he walked
up toward the fire. Should either of them,
attempt to rise-he thought-and scatter a
few grains little farther into the Fireplace,
@hszs DAY aE hU@ent AFge Hatch looked ID. and
seeing Mr. Putnam with his face deadly pale
gazing into the fire, exclaimed.
Good God, Putnam what ails YOU and
at the same time made motion to rise.
| For Heavens sake, gentlemen, do not rise
said Mr.. Putnam. Four Of you set on kegs
ofpowder-it is scattered all around YOU
one movement might send you all to eterni-
ty:-Ihere are two buckets of water behind
the bar. But keep your seats for one min.
nte and you are safe, move and you are dead
men
In an instant eyerv man was perfectly
sobered not limb meyed; each seemed
paralysed.
In less time than we have taken to de-
scribe this thrilling scene, Mr.. Putnam had
poured the water and completely saturated
the powder on the floor, and extinguished
the bre, SO that explosion was impossible -
Then, and not till then, was .here word
spoken.
Before those seven men left the store thar
very night they pledged themselves naye,
to taste another drop Of liquor, or play anoth
er game Of cards.-Amertcan Union.