Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-05-14
Nstecellameoua lHdtter.
A GAME AT CARDS.
By CHARLES HAND.

lbe ioIlo"luS ndi !dlINe-d tIue OHe-
describes scene that actually took place
not many years since, in a country town
in the State of Maine.
One evening in the month Of December,
1884, a number of townsmen had assem-
bled in the store of a Mr.. Thomas Putnam,
to talk over 'matters and things'-smoke--
drink-and in short do anything to''kll
time.'
Three hours had thus passed away. They
had laughed, and talked, and drank, and
cha,ted, and had good time, generally,
so that about the usual hour OF shutting up
shop, each of the party felt particularly
frst-rate.
Gomez said Charles Hatch-one ofthe
company-'let's all liquor, and then have
a game of high, low Jack
so | say exclaimed another, 'who's got
the cards q
Fetch on your keerds,' drawled out
third, his eyes half closed through the et-
fects of the liquor he had drank.
After drinking all around, an old pine
table was drawn up before the Fireplace,
where burned brightly large fire of hem
lock logs, which would snap and crack
throwing large live Goals out upon the
hearth.
All drew up round the table, seating
themselves on whatever came handiest.-
Four of them had rolled up to the table
some kegs, which from their weight were
supposed to contain nails.
Now said Hatch, 'how shall we play
every one for hmselfp
'No-have partners,' growled one man.
NO, hang'd If I'll play so,' shouted the
former, bringing his fs! down upon the Ia
! BILE, knocking one candle out of the stick,
and another upon the floor.
Come, Gomez said Hatch, 'no quarrel
ling-al 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, phe ma.
jority are against you. Come will you
play p
sWell, as / don't want TO be on the op-
positp side, l'll play, answered Barclay
somewhat cooled down.
Mr.. Putnam was not in the store thai
evening, and the clerk, who was busy be-
hind the counter, had taken very little
notice Of the proceeding. About half pas
ten, MIR. Putnam thought he would steI
over 10 his store and see that everything
was safe. As he went in he walked TO.
wards the fire.
When within few steps OF where the
men were sitting, he started back in horror
Before him sat seven men, half Graz,
with drink and the excitement Of Playint
cards. There they We're, within few
feet of the fire Just described-and four G
them seated on kegs OF powder!
BarcIay-who was a very heavy ma
had pressed in the head OF the keg o
which he sat, bursting the top hoop, an
t pressing the powder ou. through the chink'
By the continued motion OF their feet th
, powder had become spread about the flooI
. and now covered space of two feet a
around them.
It. MIR. Putnam'S first movement was tc
wards The door, but recovering himself, h
walked up towards the fire. Should eilhe
OF them attempt to riSe-he though an
scatter few grains little further into th
d q Fireplace, where lay large quantity {
. . live Goals!
), At that moment Hatch looked up, an
= seeing Mr.. Putnam with his face dead
s. pale, gazing into the fire, exclaimed
r, 'Good, God, Putnam, what ais you,' al
al at the same time made motion TO rise.
'For Heavens sake, gentlemen do n
: rise,' said MIR. Putnam. 'Four Of you
u on kegs OF powder-it is scattered {
around-one movement might send you
- to eternity. There are two buckets
s. water behind the bar. But keep yo
seats Tor one minute, and you are saved
- move, and yon are dead menn
ist In an instant every man was perfect
sobered-not limb moved-each seem
- paralysed
,st In less time than we have taken TO
scribe this thrilling scene, Mr.. Putnam b
q pourcd the water, and completely satu
-. ted the powder on the floor, and exli
" gmshed the fire, so that an explosion "
impossible. Then, and not till then,
- there word spoken.-7rue Flag.
PHILIp ALLEN has been elected by
- legislature of Rhode Island as the success
of John H. Clarke in The United States 81
~ ate.