Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-11-12

lie OAMBlERS ALAhMED.-l lOJoN-
inc narrative-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 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 "good time generally" )"
so that about the hour of shutting up shop,
each Of the party felt particularly "tirst rate. "
Come" says Charles Hatch, one of the
companv-"let's all liquor, and then have a
game of high, low, Jack F."
" So 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 around, an old pine ia
bic was drawn up before the fireplace
where burned sprightly large fire of hem
lock logs which would snap and crackle-
thowing 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 Of
the men.
"No, hang'd if l play So" shouted the for
mcr, bringing his fist down upon the table,
knocking one candle out of the stick, and
another upon the floor.
"Come, come,' said Hatch, "no quarrel
ing; all who say for having partners stand
up"
Three arose.
"Now all who say each one for himself,
stand up"
The rcmaing one Immediately arose.
You see, Barclay" said Hatch, -" the ma
jority are against you. Come, will you
play9"
"Well, as l don't want to be on the oppo-
site side I'll play" answered Barclay, some
what cooled down.
Mr. Putnam was not in the store that
evening, and the clerk, who was busy be-
hind the counter, and had taken very little
notice of the proceedings About half past
ten Mr.. Putnam thought he wo'd just step
into the store and see that everything was
safe. As he went in, he walked up toward
the fire. When within few steps of where
the men were sitting, he started back in hor-
ror. Before him sat seven men, half crazy
with liquor and the excitement of playing
cards. They were within few feet of the
fire just described, and four of them seated
on kegs Of pOwder!
Barclay, who was very heavy man, had
pressed in the head of the keg on which he
sat, bursting the top hoop, and pressing the
powder out through the chinks. BY the con-
tinued motion of their feet, the powder had
become spread about the floor, and covered a
space 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 few
grains a 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 ais you!" and at the
same time made motion to rise.
Gentlemen do not rise |" said Mr.. Put
nam; four Of you sit on kegs of powder-it