Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-02-07
A HOLY PACK OF CARDS.

Richard Middleton, a British soldier lately
attended deyine service withthe rest of his re-
giment, in church in Glasgow. Instead of
pulling out Bible tofind the parsons text, he
spread pack of cards before him. This be-
havior was observed by the clergyman and the
sergeant of the company to which he belon-
ged. The latter ordered him to put up the
| cards, and on his refusal, conducted him after
service before the Mayor, and preferred a for
NAL complaint of Richards indecent behavior.
ssWell soldier,'' said the Mayor, sswhat ex-
cuse have you to offer? If you can make an
apology it is well; if not, you shall be severely
punished
| ssSince your honor is so good,'' replied Rich
ard, ssas to permit me to speak for myself, amt
please your worship, have been eight days
on the march with the bare allowance of six
pence per day, and consequently could not
have Bible or any other good book" On
saying this, Richard drew out his pack of cards,
and presenting one of the aces to the Mayor,
continued his address to the magistrate as fol-
lows: ssWhen l see an ace, may it please your
honor, it reminds me that there is only one
God; and when look upon two or three, the
former puts me in mind of the Father and Son,
and the latter, of the Father, Son and Holy
Ghost; four, of the four Evangelists, Mat
thew, Mark, Luke and John; a five, the five
virgins who were ordered to trim their lamps,
Chere were ten, indeed, but FIVE, your wor-
ship may remember, were wise, and five were
foolish; six, that in six days God created
Heaven and earth; a seven, that on the seventh
day he rested from all that he had made; and
eight, of the eight righteous persons who
were saved from the deluge, viz: Noah and
his wife and three sons, and their wives; nine
of the lepers cleansed by our Saviour, (there
were ten, but only one offered his tribute Of
thanks;) and ten, of the ten commandments. :"
Richard then took the knave, placed it be-
side him, and passed on to the queen, on which
he observed as follows;
ssThis queen reminds me of the Queen of
Sheba, who came from the uttermost parts of
tie earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, as
ber companion the king does of the great
King of Heaven, and of King George the Sec
ond.''
We'll, returned the Mayor, you have Civ
en- me good description of all the cards ex-
cept the knave.'
IF your honor will not be angry with me-
returned Richard, Il give you the same |
satisfaction on that, as any in the pack
NO. said the Mayor.
.Well,' returned the soldier, sthe greatest |
knave 1 know is the sergent who brought me |
before you.'
Il don't know replied the Mayor, whether
he be the greatest knave on not; but l am
sure he is the greatest fool
The soldier then continued as follows:
when / count the number of dots in pack
of cards, there are three hundred and sixty
fve-so many days are there in year. The
cards in pack fifty ty-two-so many weeks
are there in year. When l recon how many
tricks there are in a pack, find there are
twelve--so many months are in a year. So
that pack of cards is both Bible aud almanac |
and prayer-book to me-
The Mayor called his servants, ordered
hem to entertain the soldier well, gave him
| piece of money, and said he was the clever
est fellow he ever heard in all his life.