Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-08-22

tall priest, could see his face brighten up, and
look of intelligence pass between him and
his partner. At this moment the decchock
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 after
service"
No, no" he said. "keep your hand, partner !;
| shall keep mine, it is good one and we
shall play the game after return here,
Vassilia, give me . towel, We; that will do
Now my -there--that comb and now
60 every one to your posts. shall be there
presently" Thus saying, he proceeded with a
Hrm step to the church by the private entrance
already mentiJned. AS he lett the room |
saw him place his good hand Of cards within
bis sacred robes, under the inside fastening.
He was evidently determined not to lose sight
CT his trumps, and carried them off on his per-
son into the church. | ran round to the front
entrance. and was just in time to witness the
commencement of the service. 1t is wonder
judgment did not fall Oh the chief priest And
1t did5ln way. AT one part of the service,
just as he was stepping on the platform, he put
his hand inside his robe to pull out his hand
kerchief, and, as he drew it out, the cards came
also unbidden, and fell scattered over the altar
floor. This would have paralyzed any ordinary
man; but that priest never WINGED for mo
ment. He looked cody at the cards, and then
steadily at the people, much as to say, You
all see that take notice of it. | shall tell you
of that by and by" He then continued the
services. At the close he pointed to the cards
then beckoned little peasant boy, with a
shock head OF white haxen hair, dressed in q
shirt of coarse linen and trousers to match, not
very clean, who had been crossing and bend
| ing beside poor peasant woman, his mother
| "Come here, boy !" The boy went. Turn
ing to the congregation, e said : al shall give
you lesson you will not forget for some time
You see these cards lying on the floor. Do
you think put them there for nothing? We
shall see. What isyour name, my boy"
Peter Petrovtch.''
.'Well, Peter Petrovitch, 90 and pick up
one of those cards you on the floor, and
bring it TO me. There, that will do. Now tell
me, Peter Pstrovich, what card IS this p
The ace of spades" said the boy, with
ready knowledge.
..Very good, Peter Petrovich bring me
another, that 10 a good boy. What card is
that p
1.-The queen of spades" said Peter.
"H How we'll you know them, Peter Petro-
vich bring another. And what may that one
bef"
"Tne ten Of heart,.'
- nat Will DO, refer, the son OF Heter--
Now turn round and look at this picture. Can
you tell me what saint it representsa'
The boy scratched his head, then shrugged
his little shoulders, lifting them up to MS ears,
then scratched his head again, and said: Il" Va
naes nigh" ii don't know)
Now look at this one. Who is this p
The same answer.
"And this"
a. | cannot tell
"That will do, Peter, the son OF Peter
You may go TO your mother"
Turning to the people, be continued:
ADO you know now tor wuat purpose put
these cards the floor? Do you not think
shame OF yourselves, tell me-say, is it not
disgraceiul and scandalous that that nice white
haired boy can tell me in moment the name
of every card in the pack, and Yet he does not
know the name OF of the blessed saints
U, shame, shame on ye, so to bring up tne
Dung, after all the good teaching L have glver
We 90 away ana learn the lesson | hav,
! given you this blessed day. Don't forget 1t
and don't force to bring cards INTO TINS no
ly place again. Vassillla, pick the other cards
up, and keep them for me-"
SO with solemn step he left the church tc
play out his interrupted game for hundred
| rouoles-