The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-21
THE GAMBLERS ALARMED.

One evening in the month of December,
number Eof townsmen had assembled
at the store of Mr.. Putnam, to talk over
matters and things smoke, drink and in
short do anything to kill time
Three hours had thus passed away
They had laughed and talked, and drinked,
and chatted, and had a ''good time general
" - so that about the usual hour of shut
ting up shop, each of the party felt particu-
larly ''frst-rate."
Come says Charles Hatch, one of the
company-'let's all liquor, and then have
game of high, low, jack
$50 I say exclaimed another; who's
got the cards -
Fetch on your keerds," drawled out a
third customer, his eyes half closed through
the effect of the liquor he had drunk.
After drinking all round, an old pine table
was drawn up before the fireplace, where
burned sprightly large fire of hemlock
logs, which would snap and crackle-
throwing large live Goals out upon the
hearth.
All drew 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
contain nails.
"Now," said Hatch show shall we play
every one for himself!
No, have partners,' growled out one
man.
mo, hang'd if l play so," shouted the
former, bringing his fist down upon the Ia
BILE, knocking one candle out of the stick,
| and another upon the floor.
Come, Gomez said Hatch, ''no quar-
reling; all who say for having partners
stand up"
Three arose.
"Now all who say each one for himself,
stand up"
The remaining one Immediately got up.
You see, Barclay said Hatch, 1.-The
majority are against you. Come, will you
| play?"
| "Well, as I don't want to be on the OPP
posite side, I'll play" answered Barclay,
somewhat cooled down.
Mr.. Putnam was not in the store that
evening, and the clerk, who was busy be-
! hind the counter, had taken very little no.
tice of the proceedings. About half-past
ten Mr.. Putnam thought he would just step
into the store and see that everything was
safe. AS he went in he walked up towards
the fire. When within few steps Of where
the men were setting, he started back in
horror. Before him sat seven men, half
crazy with liquor and the excitement OF
playing cards. There they were within a
few feet of the fire just described, and four
of them seated on kegs Of poaOder.
Barclay, who was heavy man, had Pres-
sed in the head of the key on which he sat
bursting the noop ana pressing the powder
out through the chinks. Bv the continue &
motion of their feet, the powder had become
spread about the floor, and now covered q
space of two feet all around them.
Mr.. Putnams 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 q
few grains little further into the Fireplace
where lay quantity of live Goals, all would
be lost
At that moment Hatch looked up, and
seeing Mr.. Putnam with his face deadly
pale, gazing into the fire exclaimed
Putnam, what ails you ! and at the same
time made motion to rise.
''Gentlemen, do not rise!" said Mr.. Put.
nam; flour of you sit on kegs of powder
it is scattered all around you-one move
ment 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 saved-move and you are deaC
men!
In an instant every man was perfectly
sobered-not a limb moved-each seemed
paralyzed.
In less time than we have taken to des.
cribe this thrilling scene, Mr.. Putnam had
poured the water and completely saturated
the powder on the floor and extinguisheC
the fire, SO that an explosion was impossi-
BILE. Then, and not until then, was there
a word spoken.
Before those seven men left the store
that very night, they pledged themselve:
never to taste another glass of liquor, OF
play another game of cards
AN ILLEGAL RULER.-The Paris cor
respondent of the New York Herald refers
to what he calls the strange stories told a
bout Napoleon the Thirds illegitimacy.-
He says it is by many believed that he ha.
no Bonaparte blood in his veins, but, though
there is no resemblance in the Emperor
feature to the other members of the Bona
parte family, the correspondent says he i:
so like them in his walk and general car
riage, that without consanguinity it would
be difficult to understand it. Whilst in
the rural districts no doubt is entertained