The Placer herald., 1857-09-19
NUMBER q;
The Pack of Cards.

.
A nobleman in the city of London who
kept great many servants reposed con,
siderable confidence in one of them, which
excited jealousy in the others; who, in order
to prejudice their master against him. accus-
ed him of being a notorious CANISTER. Jack
was called up and closely interrogated, but
he denied the fact, at the same time declar,
ing he never played card in his lfe 10
be more fully convinced, the gentleman or
dered him to be searched when, behold,
pack Of cards was found in his pocket -
Highly incensed at Jacks want of veracitv.
the Nobleman demanded in rage, how lie
dared persist in an untruth! "My Lord" re-
piled he, 81 certainly do not know the mean
ing of card. The bundle in my pocket is
my Almanac" Your AlmanacY indeed. then
| desire you will prove it. Well, sir, will
begin: There are four suits in the pack;
that intimates the four quarters of the year.
AS there are thirteen cards in each suit, SO
are there thirteen weeks in quarter. There
are also the same number of the twelve signs
of the Zodiac, through which the sun steers
his diurnal course in one year. There are
hlty-two cards in pack; this directly ans
wers the number of weeks in year. Ey-
anime more minutely, and you will find three
hundred and sixtyive spots, as many as
there are days in year: these multiplied BY
twenty-four and sixty, and you have the ex-
act number of hours and minutes in the
year. Thus sir, hope have convinced
you that this is my Almanac: and by your
Lordship's permission, | will prove ii to be
my Prayer Book also. look upon the fonr
suits as representing the four prevailing re-
liglons; Christianity, Judaism, Mahomedan-
ism and Paganism. The twelve court cards
remind me of the twelve tribes of Israel and
tho twelve Apostles. The Ring 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 of
Sodom and Gomorah destroyed by fire and
birthstone from heaven, the ten plaques Ut
Egypt, the ten commandments, and the ten
tribes cut off for their vices. The nine re-
minds me Of the nine Muses. and The nins
noble orders among men. The eight re-
minds me of the eight persons sa7ed in
Noah's ark, and the eight persons spoken Of
in scripture to be released from death unto
life. The seven reminds me of the seven al-
ministering Spirits that stand before the
throne Of God, the seaen seals wherewilh
tho book Of life is sealed, the seven liberal
arts and sciences given by God for the in
struction of man. The six reminds me of
the six petitions contained in the Lords
prayer. The five reminds me of the five
senses given by God to man, hearing, seeing,
feeling, tasting and smelling. The four puts
me in mind of the four Evangelists, The
three reminds me Of the Trinity, the three
hours our Savior was on the cross, and the
three days he lay inferred. The two reminds
me of the two Testaments, and the two con4
trary principles struggling in man, viz virtue
and vice. The ace reminds me Of the true
God to adore, worship and serve, one faith
TO believe, one truth to practice, and ono
good master to serve and obey.
So far all is well, said the nobeman, but
believe you have omitted one card, the
nave. True, my Lord, the nave reminds me
Of your Lordshpa informer!
The nobleman became more pleased with
Jack than before, freely forgiving him, raised
his wages, and discharged the informer.