Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1862-11-15


want, with information that bis master had
not returned, and that madame desired
me to walk to the priests house, and see
how matters stood. l dressed hastily and
went to the parsonage, rectory, or what
shall | call it? As l passed the church l
saw that it was in course of preparation
for the morning performances, but my
business was not with the church, it was
with the priests. Just as l reached the
door, a clerk (der.cook) was entering. He
was dirty yellow, sickly fellow, with a
flavor Of stale tobacco.
Where is the pope Vassillia?" I said.
"Yonder," pointing to the room I had so
lately left. "Playing still 1t is too bad"
"To be sure; it is nothing. l have known
master play two days and nights in a
stretch. But i. is now time for service,
and must tell him"
pushed passed him into the room. 1t
was Sabbath morn, half an hour before
service, and the men who were to otficiu,e
sat round a table with flushed faces, eager
looks, dishevelled hair, and rutfled attire.
Candles we're burnt down in their sockets,
daylight streamed in through the shutter
less windows. The branky apd wine bot
ties were empty. A great jug of "ghuass'
was on side table, old cards Uttered the
painted floor, and the atmosphere was
reeking with the fumes of the 'papeross :"
for smoking was still going on. l saw at a
glance that the the tide of luck had left
Pins. The priest was buoyan,, he was fat
They are winning it back" he said to
me as entered; ~ have had three hum
dred, now l have but fifty" "Ay,' said
the tall priest; "and this game will get
that back also. I, is for fifty, is it not. ?"
Then the clerk entered, and advanced
with as little show Of concern as if the
exhibition was fit and usual preparation
to the church rites, and after reverentially
crossing himself, intimated to the chief,
that, in half an hour, i. would be his time
to 60 on to commence the services.
"Verry good, Vassilia, my Son. Don't
disturb me now, but listen come back
exactly three minutes before eight ~
hear and obey said Vassillia, and van
ished.
" | cannot say these men were drunk
on the contrary they seemed more sober
than they had been when left them at Q
o clock but the demon Of play held them
in his grip; they were as fresh for it, as
much absorbed as if thev had only played
two or three hours. My remons,rances
and expostuIations were thrown away. and
in indignant curiosity sat down to watch
the end.
The priest and his partner lost. Pins
and his partner won another fifty. The
next game was to double or quits, the
deal made with fresh pack and, as sat
in full view Of the tall priest, could see
his face brighten up, and look OF in.elli.
genie passed between him and his part.
ner. At this moment the cock again
entered:
"Three minutes to eight o'clock" All
but the tall priest threw their cards on the
table and rose, saying, A fresh deal af
ter service "No, no. he said "keep
your hand, partner, l shall keep mine; it
is good one, and we shall play the game
after our return; here, VassilIia, give me
towel, wet; that will DO. Now my robes
--there-that comb, and now every one to
your posts. lshall be there presently
Thus saying, he proceeded with firm
step to the church by private entrance
already mentioned. AS he left the room
| saw him place his good hand of cards
within his sacred robes, under the inside
fastening. lie was evidently determined
not to lose sight of his trumps, and carried
them off on his person into the church,
ran round to the front entrance and was
just in time to witness the commencement
Of service. II is wonder judgment did
not fall on the chief priest. And it did
in . way. At one part Of the service, just
A. he was stepping on the PLATFORM he
put his land inside his robe to pull out
his handkerchief, and, as he drew it out,
the cards came also unbidden, and fell
over the altar floor. This would have par
alyzed any ordinary man but that priest
never wlnced for moment. He looked
cody at the cards, then steadily at toe
people, as much as to say, You oil see
that; take notice Of it. | shall tell you
about that BY and by He then contn.
ued the services. At the close he pointed
TO the cards-then beckoned q little peas.
ant boy, with shock head Of white Aaxen
hair, dressed in q shirt Of coarse linen
and trowsers to match, not very clean,
who bad been crossing aud bending beside
poor peasant woman, his mother: