Des Arc citizen., 1860-05-05
THE PACK OF CARDS.

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 A nobeman in London, who kept a great number of servants, reposed con siderable confidence in one of them, which excited a jealousy in the others, who, in order to prejudice their master against him, accused him of being a notorious gamester. Jack was called up and closely linterrogaied but he denied the fact, at the same tune declaring he never played a card in his life To be more fully con- vinced, the gentleman ordered hlm 10 be searched when behold pack of cards was found in his pocket. Highly incensed at Jacks want of veracity, the nobleman demanded, in rage, how he dared to persist in an untrulh,
 My Iord," said he, Il certainly do not know the meaning of card !; the bundle in my pocket is my almanac.
 Your almanac, indeed! then desire that you will prove it.''' aa.3 aaiaaiiaJ3 a4.
 Well sir, will begin. There are four suits in the pack, ,hatintimate the four quarters in the year; as there are thirteen cards in each suit, so there are thirteen weeks in a quarter; there are also the same number of luna.ions the twelve signs of the zodiac, through which the Sun steers his diurnal course in one year i; there are. fifly-two cards in. a pack, that l directly answer for the number ot weeks in year; examine them more minutely, and you will find three hundred and sixty five spots, as many as there are days Tn year; these multiply by twenty-iour and sixty, and you have the exact number of hours and minutes in q year. Thus sir, l hope have convinced you 1t is my alma nae and by your lordship's permission, l will prove it my prayer book also. ,,
 Il look upon the four suits as represent ing the four prevailing religions: Chris lianity, Judaism, Mahometanism, Pagan ism; 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 Christian faith. The klng reminds me of tue allegiance due to his majesty. The queen. of the same 10 her majesty The ten brings to my recollection the ten cities of Sodom and Gomarrah, destroyed by fire and birthstone from heaven; the ten plaques ot Egypt; the ten commandments; the ten tribes cul off for their vice. The nine reminds me of the nine muses; the nine noble orders among men. The eight reminds me of the c ghl bealltudes {; the eight persons saved Tn Noah's ark {; the eigh, persons mentioned in Scripture to be released from death 10 life. The seven reminds me of the seven administer ing spirits that stands before the throae oG | God; the seven seals wherewlth the book of life IS sealed the seven liberal arls and sciences given by God for the instruc- ton of man; the seven wonders ot the world. The six reminds me of the six petitions contained in the Lords Prayer. l The five reminds me ot the senses given l by God to man; hearing, seeing, feeling tasting, and smelling. The four puts ne 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 Iav inferred. The two reminds me of the two Teslaments 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 to practice, and one good mas ter to serve and obey" t.f.r ...r
 "So far is very we'll, said the noble ta be bbee4 ,ttss Cit ue card, the knave .,s.l t.t...,.+..
 True, my lord; the knave reminds me of your lordshp's nformer, sa,sa
 The nobleman became more pleased with Jack than before, freely forgave him
 raised his wages, and discharged the in' former. ,4 l.-.,eg. -eas4s, .. l...., ;,,.a r.capt locfure