, 1862-09-25
Russian Priests at Cards.

cards morning. noon, and night. But these long
haired, long-bearded broad-brims Of lazy priests
are, Of all gamblers. the most incessant will tell
you an instance Of my own knowledge:
You saw that fat, tall priest, with he large
brown beard. who sprinkled the holy water on the
brains Well, he Is the head pope Of this church,
and lives beside It in fact, there Is covered pas
sage leading from bis house direct One evening,
before a saints day, was on a visit to Mr.. Pins,
who lives in that wooden house beside yon cotton
mill In the hollow, and we were enjoying ourselves
as we best could when message came from the
priest to ask us oil to supper. He had few
friends with him, and would be glad to see us. As
nothing Of this kind is to be refused, we went-I,
and Pms, and his wife and daughter. The priests
friends were two bcardies like himself, who were
to assist next day in church. His wife, also, Of
course, was there. Supper over, cards were in
trOduccd; and down sat Pins and the three holy
m.n to the game, while was leIt To entertain the
ladies' as well as could. The four gamblers grad
ually forgot everything else in the ROOM the head
priest being the most intent of the four. The
game went on Now Pins swept the table Of
roubles and anon one Of the other of the, priests
the head man evidently losing fast, and Pihs wifi
mig
Tempers got lost, and scarcely civil words We're
exchanged alhOngst the party. / could see Pins
rcd face, glowing like nOrwest moon, under the
flush Of excitement and brandy. As we supTe1
late, Sunday morning was on US before l was
aware. Two o'clock struck and Mrs. Pins and
jumped to our feet. Two o'clock on a Sunday
morning in n minister's house, playing cards-the
gamblers, priests Of the Holy Grek Church! 1t
was against the conscience Of a Scot to assist at
such OutgOings; not that l am straight-laced to
an hour or two, considering the difference Of clocks
! therefore energetically backed Mrs. Pins, who
LII
rose, but reluctantly, as It seemed to me, and was
about to accompany us. The priests hid no mind
to let him Oft so easily. He aud his partner had
won two hundred roubes, and It was clearly against
oil ruls to run away so soon. The others must
have their revenge-it was only two O'Clock. So
he sat down again, saying, go, my dear, with
Mr.. SandersOn. I'll play the old fellows till day
light, if they like. Il shall never be said that
shirked of because my pocket was full Of other
peoples money! g8''lf-s ?. .ss-i HNt W1a.rtst
AS our host politely showed Us 70 the door,
be said to me I" Do you attend the church at
eight"
"Yes, It is my intention; but don't think you
will be there in fit state, Il you play much longer:
II Is q shame"
"No fear" he said; but your friend has won
much money, and must have my turn. It Is
nothing"
Al btNeu ClOCk WIS uWbkGUeu oGTNuut
with information that his master had not returned,
and that madame desired me to walk to the priests
house and sec how matters stood. dressed has.
tily and went to the parsonage, rectoEy, or what
shall call it? As l passed the church, saw
that II was in course Of pre- aratOn for the morn
ing performances but my business was not with
the ehurch-it was with the priests Just as
reached the door, clerk (deccock) was entering.
He was dirty, yellow, sickly fellow, with favor
Of stale tobacco.
"WheFe is the pope, Vassilliai" I saidi
YOnder," pointing to the room had 50 lately
left.
"Playing stillH It Is too bad"
"To be sure; 1t Is nothing. have known
master play two days and nights at a stretch.
But It Is now time for service, and / must tell
him."
pushed past him into the room. II was Sab
bath morn, half an hour before service, and the
men who were to Oliciate sat round table with
flushed faces, eager looks, dishevelled hair, and
RULED attire. Candles were burnt down IN their
sockets, and daylight streAmed in through the
shutterless windows. The brandy and wine bot
ties were empty. A great Jug Of "ghuass was
on side table, old cards Uttered the painted HUdr
and the atmosphere was reeking with the fumes Of
tlN a,papeross;" for smoking was still going on.
saw at glance that the tile Of luck had left
Pins. The priest was buoyant; he was fat.
They are winning II back, ," he said to me as
entered 81 have had three hundred, now l have
but fifty"
"Ay," said the tall priest :, an8 this game will
get that back also. II is for fly, is It mott"
Then the clerk entered, and advanced with as
little show Of concern as if the exhibition was q
Ct and usual preparation to the church rites; and
after reverentially crossing HIMSELF he intimated
to the priest in chief that in half an hour II would
be his time to go on to commence the services
"Very good, Vassillia, my son. Don't disturb
me now, but listen: come back exactly three min
utes before eight"
Il hear and Otey," a vassillia, and van.
ished.
l cannot say these men were drunk; on the
contrary, they seemed more sObT thRn they had
been when left them at two O'Clock but the de-
mon Of play had them in his grip; they were as
fresh for il and as absorbed as Il they had only
played two or three hours. Ny remohStnnces aud
eXpOsIu,atiOBs were thrown away, and in indignant
curiosity sat down to watch the end.
The priest and bis partner lost Pins and his
partner won another fifty. The next game was to
be double or quits, the deal made with fresh
pack and as | sat in Gu view Of tho tall priest,
could see his face brighten DIP, and q look Of
intelligence pass between him and his partner. At
this mOmcrt the deccOck again entered. "Three
minutes to eight O'Clock"
All but the tall priest threw their cards Oh the
table and rose, saying, A fresh deal after ser
vice"
"NO. no." he said; keep your hand, partner.
! shall keep mine; II Is 4 good one, and we shall
play the game after our return. Here. Vassillia,
give me a towel, act that will do. Now my
Ubes-Ihere-tha comb, and now every one 10
your paSis. I shall be there presently"
Thus savinp h. prOeaa,led with a firm sieD 70