Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-08-23
A PACK OF CARDS.


A nobeman in the city of London, who
kept great number of servants, reposed
considerable confidence in one of them,
which excited a jealousy in the others, who,
in order 10 prejudice their master against
him, accused him of being a notorious game
sler. Jack, was called up and closely in
lerrogated but he denied the fact, at the
same time declaring he never played card
in his life. To be more fully conv inced, the
gentlemen ordered him to be searched
when behold pack of cards was found in
his pocket Highly incensed at Jacks ~ant
of vcracty, the nobeman demanded, in
rage, how he dared persist in an unruth =
"Nly Lord" replied he, 81 certainly do not
know the meaning Of a card the bundle
found in my pocket is my Almanac. II
"Iour Almanac, indeed then desire you
will prove it," "WeIl, sir, will begin. -
There are four suits in the pack, tina. init
mates the four quarters in the year and
there are thirteen cards in each snit ana
there are thirteen weeks in quarter
The twelve court cards call TO my remem-
b,ance the twelve months that compose the
year, and the twelve signs of the zodiac
through which the sun steers his diurnal
course in one year. There are ffly-two
cards in pack that directly answers the
number of weeks in year. Examine them
more minuelv, and you will find three
hundred and sixty-iive spots, as many as
there are days in the year. These multiply
by twenty-lour, and sixty, and you have the
exact number of hours and minutes in a
year. Thus, sir, hope | have convinced
You it is my Almanac and by your lord
ships permission, will prove it my Prayer
Book also. look upon the four suits as
representing the four prevailing religions /;
Christianity, Judaism, Mahomedauism, and
Paganism. The twelve court cards remind
me of the twelve patriarchs from whom
sprang the twelve tribes of Israel, the
twelve Apostles, the twelve articles of the
Christian faith. The King reminds me Of
the aIipgiance due 20 his majesty. The
queen OF the same to her majesty. The ten
brings TO my recolections the ten cities in
the plains OF Sodom and Gomorrah, destroy
ed by fire and birthstone from heaven the
ten plaques Of Egypt ; the ten command
menls the ten tribes Gu, off for their
vices The nine reminds me of the nine
muses., and the nine noble orders among
men. The eight reminds me Of the einht
beali'udes, the eight attitudes, the eight per-
sons saved in Noah's ark, the eight persons
mentioned in the scriptures TO be released
flom death 10 life. The seven reminds me
of the seven administering spirits that stand
before the throne OF God the seven seals
wherewilh the book of life is sealed the
seven liberal arts and sciences given by
God for the instruction of man and the
seven wonders of the world. The six re-
minds me of the six petitions contained in
the Lords prayer, The five reminds me OF
the senses given by God to man hearing,
seeing, feeling, tasting, aht smelling The
/ four puts me in mind of the four Evauge.
/ lists and the four seasons Of the year
/ The three reminds me of the Trinity the
! three hours our Saviour was on the cross
and the three days he lay entered. The
/ two reminds me OF the two testaments and
| the two contrary principles struggling il
man, virtue and vice. The ace reminds mt
of the only true God to adore, worship auC
serve one only faith 10 believe one trull
10 practice and one good master TO scrS'
and obey" so far is very well, said III,
nubieman "but believe yoa have omitted
one card, the knave." "Trne, my lord
the knaye reminds me of your Iord,hip's in
formers.p The noblemah became NOR
pleased with Jack than before, freely for
gaze him, raised his wages, and discharge
the iuformer.