San Andreas independent., 1856-11-08
the Gamblers Alarmed.

The following narratiye-a true one
describes scene that actually took place
not many years since in country village
In the State of Maine.
One evening in the month of December,
1884, number of townsmen had assem-
bled at the store ola Mr.. Putnam, to talk
over "matters and things" smoke, drink,
and in short, to do any thing to sskilltim .
Three hours had thus passed away
They had laughed, and talked, and drink
ed, and chatted, and had good time gen.
orally; SO that at about the usual time OF
shutting up shop each of the party felt par
ticularly frst-rate.
"Come," !" said Charles Hatch, one of the
company, "come let's all liquor, and then
have game Of high, low, Jackw
$50 [ say" exclaimed another, who's
got the cards?"
"Fetch on your keerds," drawled out a
third, his eyes half closed through the eff
feet 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 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 up to the table
some kegs, which from their weight were
supposed to contain nails.
Mr.. Putnam was not in the store that
evening, and the clerk who was busy be-
hind the counter had taken very little
notice of the proceedings About half past
ten Mr.. Putnam thought he would steE
over to the store, and see that everything
was safe. AS he went in he walked up tC
the fire. When within few steps o.
where the men were sitting, he started back
in horror. Before him sat seven men, hal
crazy with drink and the excitement ot
playing cards. There they were, within {
few feet of the fire just described, and foul
Of them seated on kegs of poarder.
Barclay-who was very heavy man
had pressed in the head of the keg OF
which he sat, bursting the top hoop, and
pressing the powder out through the
chinks. By the continued motion of then
feet the powder had become spread about
the floor, and now covered space of two
feet all around them
Mr.. Putnam's first movement was to.
wards 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 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, "Put-
nam, what ails you?0 and at the same time
made a motion to rise.
"Gentlemen, do not rise" said Mr.. Put
nam; "four of you sit on kegs Of powder
1t 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-moye and you are dead
men !"
In an instant every man was perfectly
sobered-not limb moyed-each seemed
parayzed.
In less time than we have taken to des-
cribe this thrilling scene, Mr.. Putnam had
poured the water and completely satu-
rated the powder on the floor, and extin-
guished the fire, 50 that an explosion was
impossible. Then, and not till then, was
there word spoken.
Before those seven men left the store
that very night, they pledged themselves
never to taste another glass of liquor or
play another game of cards.