The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1856-11-05
The Gambler Alarmed.


One evening in the month Of December, 1884.
q number Of townsmen had assembled at the store
Of Nr. Putnam, TO talk over "mattcrs and
things" smoke, drink, and in short to do any
thing TO kill time.
Three hours had thus passed away. They
had laughed, and talked, and drinked, and chat
ted and had "good time generally" 50 that
about the usual hour ofshutting up shop, each o.
the party felt particularly first rate"
Come" says Charles Hatch, one ofthc ocIn-
pany, let's all liquor, and then have a game O
''high low Jack"
so say exclaimed another, who's got the
cards?"
Fetch on yer kcerds," drnwled out third
customer; his eyes half closed through the effect
Of the liquor he had drank
After drinking all around, an old pine tabie
was drawn up before the fire place where burned
sprightly large FIRE of hemlock which would
snap and crackle--thowipg large fire Goals ont
upon the hearth.
All drew around the table, seating themselves
on whatever came handiest. Four oftbem had
rolled up some kegs, which, from their weight
were supposed tocontain nails.
"Now," said Hatch, how shall VIC play--eve.
ry one for HIMSELF"
"No, have partners" growlcd out one man.
No hangd if I do shouted the former bring
ing his fist down upon the table, and knocking
one candle out of the stick and another upon the
floor.
Come, come said Hatch, no quarreling; all
who say for having partners stand up
Three arose.
Now, all who say each for himself stand up
The rcg- aiming ono immediately got up
'Yuu sec Barclay said Hatch, the majority
are against you.
Come, will you play"
We'll, as dent want to be on the opposite
side, I'll play, answered Barclay somewhat cool
ed down.
Mr.. Putnam was not in the store that evening
and the clerk who was busy behind the counter
had taken but very little notice Of the proceed,
ings. About halfpaSt ten o'clock Mr.. Putnam
tho't he would Just step into the store and see i
every thing was safe. As he went inhe walked
up toward the fire When within q few step;
ofwhere the men were setting he started back
in horror Before him sat seven men, halfcrazy
with liquor ard the excitement Qfplaying cards
There they were within few feet oithe fire jus'
described, and ourof them seated onkegs ofpow
der!
Barclay who was a very large man, had press
ed in the head of the keg on which he sat; burst
ting the top hoop, ard pressing the powder ou
through the chinks. BY the continued motior
oftheir feet, the powder had become spread about
the floor and now covered space Of two feet a
around them. ,r ...
Mr. Putnam's first movement was tcwac(
the door, but recovering himself lie walked "
toward the fire. Should any Of them attemp
10 rise he thought, ard scatter a few grains {
little farther into the fireplace, where lay :
quantity Of live Goals. all would lie lost! a..
At that moment Hatch looked up, and seeing
Mr.. Putnam with his face deadly pale, gaz.nl
into the fire exclaimed:
'9t putnam, what ails you?'' and at tie scn.'
time made motion to rise.
Gentlemen do not rise? said Putnam; foul
ofyou sit on kegs frowdcr--it is scattered a.
aroui.d yoU--one movement might send you al
to eternity. There are two buckets ofwatcl
behind the bar. But KEEP your seats for en-
minute and you arc soved-mcvc and you ar
defd meno ...' -....s.-... .,.. 49,: .......f. ...
In an instant every man was perfectly sober
ed--uot limb moved, each seemed paralyzcd;
In less time than we have TO describe th'
thrilling scene, Mr.. Putnam had poured th
water and completely saturated the powder o.
the floor and extinguisben the fire SO an cxplo
sion was impossible. IAcn, and and not til
then, was there void spoken.
ta Before those seven men left the store tina
| very night, they pledged themselves never Il
taste another glass Of liquor, or play anothe
game of cards, m9# la5 re j "9., ytj "! ~
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