The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-05-08
THE PACK OF CARDS.

A nobleman i'm London who kept a great nun
Der of fservants, reposed considerable confidence
in one OF them, which excited jealousy in The
others, who in order to prejudice their master
against him, accused him of being notorious
CANISTER. Jack was called up and closely in.
terrogated, but he denied the fact, at the same
time declaring he never played card in hi:
life. To be more fully convinced, tho gentle
man ordered him to be searched, when, behold
pack of cards was found in his pocket
Highly incensed at Jacks want of veracity, the
nobeman demanded, in rage, how he dared
to persist in an untruth.
"My lord,' replied he, "I certainly do moi
know the meaning of a card; the bundle 10 my
pocket is my almanacl'
"Your almanac, indeed; then I desire that
you will prove iti'
swell, sir, / will begin! There are four suits
| in the pack-that intimates the four quarters
in the year; as there are thirteen cards in each
suit, so there arc 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 10 one year;
there are fifty 1.-TWO cards in a pack, that drect-
ly answers for tho number of weeks in year
examine them more minutely, and you will find
three hundred and sixty-five spots, as many as
there are days in the year. these multiply by
twenty four and sixty, and you have the exact
number of fhours and minutes in year! Thus
| sir, hope have convinced you il is my al
manac; and by your lordships permission,
will prove it my prayer book als).
| 81 look upon the four suits as representing
the four prevailing MISUNDERSTANDING Ju-
daism, Mahommedanism and Paganism, the
twelve court cards remind me of the twelve trib-
es of Israel, twelve apostles, the twelve articles
of Christian faith. The king reminds mo 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 tho plains
of Sodom and Gomorah, 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. The eight reminds me Of the eight bca-
titudes; the eight persons saved in Noah's Ark;
the eight persons mentioned in Scripture 20 be
relased from death to life. The seven reminds
me ofthe seven administering spirits that stand
before the throne of God; the seven seals where
with the Book of Life is sealed; the seven lib
eral arts and sciences given by God for the in
struction of man; the seven wonders Of the
world. The six reminds me oftho six petitions
contained in the Lords Prayer. The five re-
minds me of the senses given by God to man
hearing. seeing, feeling. tasting, and smelling.
The four puts me in mind of the four evange-
lists; the four seasons Of the year. The three
reminds mo of Trinity; the three hours our
Saviour was on the cross; the three days no lay
inferred. The two reminds me of the Two
Testaments; the two contrary principles strug-
Cling in man-v,rtuo and vice. The ace re-
minds me Of the only true God to adore wor-
ship. and serve; one truth to practice, and one
good master to serve and obey.
$50 far is very wellv, said the nobeman;
"but believe you have omitted one card-the
knaveH afuH
"True, my lord--the knavc reminds me of
your.lordship's nformerr'
The nobleman became moro pleased with
Jack than before. freely forgave him, raised
his wages, and discharged tho informor.