Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-12-09
The Pack of Cards.


A nobleman in London, who kept a great
number of servants, reposed considerable conf
dence in one of them, which excited q jealousy
in the others, who, in order to prejudice their
master against him of being notorious game
ster. Jack was called up and closely interro-
gated; but he denied the fact at the same time
declaring he never played a card in his life.
To be more fully convinced, the gentleman or
dered him to be searched, when behold pack
of cards was found in his pocket. Highly in
censed at Jacks want of veracity, the nobeman
demanded, in q rage, how he dared to persist in
an untruth.
"My lord" replied he, 81 certainly do not
know the meaning of q card the bundle in my
pocket is my Almanac"
"Your Almanac, indeed. then l desire that
you will prove it,"
.sWen, sir, will begin. There are four suits
in the pack, that ntimates the four quarters in
the year as there are thirteen cards in each
suit, so there are thirteen weeks in quarter
there are also the same number of lunations
the twelve signs OF the zodiac, through which
the sun steers his diurnal course in one year
there are ffty-two cards in pack, that directly
answer for the number of weeks in a year; exa-
mine them more infinitely, and you will find
three hundred and sixty-fve spots, as many as
there are days in the year; these multiply by
twenty-four and sixty and you will have the
exact number of hours and minutes in year.
Thus, sir l hope have convinced you it is my
Almanac and by your lordship's permission,
will prove it my prayer book also.
81 look upon the four suits as representing
the four prevailing religions: Christianity,
Judaism, Mahometanism, and Paganism; the
twelve court cards remind me of the twelve Pa
trarchs, from whom sprang the twelve tribes Of
Israel, the twelve Apostles, the twelve articles
of Christian faith. The king reminds me of the
allegiance due to his majesty. The queen, Of
the same to her majesty. The ten brings to
my recollection the ten cities in the plains OF
Sodom and Gomarrah, destroyed by fire and
birthstone from heaven; the ten plaques Of
Egypt; the ten commandments; the ten tribes
cut off for their vice. The nine reminds me OF
the nine muses.; the nine noble orders among
men, Tn. eight reminds me of the eight bea-
titudes; the eight persons saved in Noah's ark
the eight persons mentioned in Scripture to be
released from death to life. The seven reminds
me of the seven administering spirits that stand
before the throne of God; the seven seals where
with the book of life is sealed: the seven liberal
arts and sciences given by God for the instruc.
ton of man; the seven wonders of the world
The six reminds me of the six petitions con-
tanned in the Lords Prayer. The five remind;
me of the senses given by God to man, hearing
seeing, feeling, tasting, and smelling. The fou,
puts ME in mind of the four Evangelists the
four seasons of the year. The three reminds me
of the Trinity; the three hours our Saviour was
ON the cross; the three days he lay inferred
The two reminds me of the embellishments The
two contrary principles struggling in man, virtue
and vice. The ace reminds me of the only true
God to adore, worship and serve; one truth tt
practice, and one good master to serve and
obey"
Who Is DoEsr1cEs Applications have beer
made to US for the address Of Doesticks by three
several publishers, who want him to write them
book, or get up something for them that viii
sell in these hard times; and several gentlemen
have hattered US by the assurance that they
take our paper exclusively for the privilege Of
reading his communications. This is an atten,
ton to which we are not fairly entitled We
have copied all we have published from the De-
troit Advertiser, where, with single exception,
all originally appeared.
Doesticks is modest young clerk in this city,
whose life thus far has only spanned twenty
three years, and he is disinclined at present. tc
part with his anonymous obscurity. He has
4L;--s. Ia ALTAR tina DpAA VIII be time enough
to reveal his whereabouts and whatabouts. He
Is not looking to literature as a profession, sees
no literary merit in what he has done, writes to
the Advertiser to oblige younger brother who
IS connected with that Journal and for no OBJ
ject. He was one of the students of Michigan
University, who were expelled some years ago
under the decree issued against secret societies
in that institution. His father is a LAWYER of
some rank at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
= "Doesticks ON o Bender was the first of the
series that was published. 1t was written in
private letter to a friend, who gave it to the
editor of the "Peninsular Quarterly and Uni
versity Magazine "a periodical published at
Ann Arbor, Michigan, which had q brief but
creditable existence-where it first appeared,
and from whence it found its way to a more
numerous, if not more appreciative class of
readers, through the columns of the Evening
Post. The attention which it attracted, led to
the publication of others, until now, fourteen
have appeared. They all contain passages of
wit and humor, which linger in the memory and
display powers of observation from which much
may yet be expected.-N Y. Evenmg Post.
AN EXPENSIVE SUppER.-The Cincinnati Com
nercial tells the following:
A few nights before the failure of that adroit
inancier, P. B. Manchester, he gave one of
hose splendid suppers, which won for him an
reputation among few and an in
'ltaton to which was considered by many an
lonor. A gentleman of this city who has in
lis composition large quantity of pride and
m excellent opinion Of his own popularity,
United with disposition to float serenely in
upper tendon, was honored with card Of in
itation. Everything pertaining to the supper
vas of sumptuous and costly character, salts
actorily evidencing the great wealth ~ and
Importance of the host. During the evening
he gentleman above alluded to was drawn into
conversation upon money matters by Mr.. Man
hester, who finally inquired where he deposited
is funds, and at what rate of interest Upon
eing informed the Banking House, and the old
ashioned sum of six per cent. interest, the
hrewd Banker remarked, "Ah sir, am pay
1g my depositors from 8 to 10 per cent. and I
ealizing from the careful investment of their
honey, from one and half to two per cent a
'onth, thus you see, beneftting both the de-
ositors and myself. I can pay you ten per
ent if you wish to deposit with me.' The
'gc and the supper had their effect. In day
r two the gentleman deposited with Manchester
bout $1,000 and in day or two more Man.
hester started on a tour for the benefit of his
ealth and reputation. ]
SUBMARINE ExPoRATIoNs.-Mr. Isaac Coffin,
l1rH T.n- O. /