Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-09-13
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN:
Thursday Morning, Sept. Is, 1865.
A Russian Priest at Cards.


titled "Sketches of Russian Life
before and during the emancipation
of the serfs," in which the author
not only gives his experience of
serfdom, but also sketches of So
cial life in Russia. The following
expose of the priesthood, we should
hope, for the sake of religion, is
somewhat exaggerated:
"Where is the Pope, Vassilia 2"
I said.
"Yonder," pointing to the room
I had SO lately left.
"Playing still? 1t is too bad"
''To be sure; It's nothing. |
have known master to play two
days and a night at stretch
But it is now time for service, and
/ must tell him."
81 pushed past him into the
room. 1t was Sabbath morn, half
an hour before service, and the
men who were to officiate sat round
a table with flushed faces, eager
looks, dishevelled hair, and ruffied
attire. Candles were burnt down
in their sockets, daylight streamed
in through the sEutterless win
dows. The brandy and wine bot
ties were empty. A great jug of
tghuass' was on a 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.
I saw at a glance that the tide of
luck had left the Englishman.
The priest was buoyant; he was
fat.
"They are winning it back" he
said to me as | entered. 81 have
had three hundred, now have but
fifty
"Aye," said the tall priest, "and
this game viii get that back also ;
it is for fifty-is it not?"
"Then the clerk entered, and
advanced, with as little show of
concern as if the exhibition was a
fit and usual preparation for the
church rites, and, after reveren-
TALLY crossing himself, intimated
to the priest in chief that in half
an hour it would be his time to 60
in to commence the services.
every good, Vassilia, my son.
Don't disturb me now, but listen
cc.ne back exactly three minutes
before eight"
II hear and obey" said Vassil-
la, and vanished.
81 cannot say these men were
drunk; on the contrary, they
seemed more sober than they had
been when / left them at two o.
clock but the demon of play held
them in his grip; they we've as
fresh for it, and as absorbed as if
they had only played for two or
three hours. My remonstrances
and expostulations were thrown
away, and in indignant curiosity
I sat down to watch the end. The
priest and his partner lost. Pins
and his partner won another fif-
ty. The next game was to be
double or quits, the deal made
with a fresh pack; and, as | sat in
full view of the tall priest, could
see his face brighten up, and a look
of intelligence pass between him
and his partner.
"Three minutes to eigbto'clock."
GAIL but the tall priest threw
their cards on the table and rose,
saying
GA fresh deal after service"
'sNo, 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,
Vassilia, give me towel, wet !;
that will do. Now my robes
There, that comb; and now go
every one to your posts. / shall
be there presently"
Thus saying, he proceeded with
a firm step to the church by the
private entrance. AS he left the
room | saw him place his good
hand of cards within his sacred
robes, under the inside fastening.
He was evidently determined not
to lose sight of his trumps, and
carried them off on his person in
to the church. ] ran round to the
front entrance, and was just in
time to witness the commencement
of the service. It is a wonderil
Judgment did not fall on the
chief priest. And it did in way. |
AT one mart of the service. lust asl