Smyrna times., 1869-06-23
The Card-PIayer and the Bishop.

A good story used to be told by IL think
Pierce Egan, the elder, which is a gem in its
way. The bishop of L. was man Of en-
inently social and congenial habits, and being
something of an original himself, his reverence
could heartily appreciate good joke. An &C.
centric of any kind would bring more JOY to
his heart than hundred llturgies or OrlSons, |
and when he came across anything OF the kind
he gave it his entire attention. One warm day
in summer he was travelling in part of Lam
cashire, and had stopped at hOstelry to shake
off the fatigue and dust of his journey. After
taking a snack of lunch he wandered out in
! pleasant little grove that stood convenient to
the inn, which was deliciously cool. Hearing
the sound Of voices, he peered through hedge
of bushes and beheld man sitting on the root
of a large tree, with two hands dclt for game
of cards, and giving vent to excited ejaculation.
"A lunatic, probably" thought his rever-
ence, and at the same time he coughed slight
ly.
The man raised his head, but his eyes were
not devoid of reason, and he bowed respectfully
to the shepherd.
"My son" said the bishop, "you seem
quite beside yourself May l ask what you are
engaged at?'
Certainly" replied the man, am hav-
ing rubber with God.
This convinced his reverence of the man s
lunacy, and at the same time he saw no harm
in pursuing the subject.
And how does the luck run?" said the
3 bishop blandly.
q have no chance to day." replied the man,
throwing down the cards in disgust " l already
owe him one pound four and six.
And how do you pay your lOssesp
"Oh he always sends some good person, tC
whom make over the amount for the poor.
see you are clergyman, sir pray take this anC
u use as you think proper, and he counted ou
of a well filled purse the amount mentioned
q which the bishop accepted without scruples o
any kind. He then bid his singular acquaint
n ance good day and returned to the inn. Th
money was judiciously laid out for charitabl
"a purposes. For many days the prelate did no
see his highty friend again. He happened t
+ be going the same way soon after, and passin
the spot forbidden to clergymen, viz the tap
e room of the tavern, he beheld his acquaintanc
solacing his sorrows with tumbler of neguS
lg His reverence sat sentry for some time in
window above, and after while saw the ma
D. emerge from the inn and disappear in the grove
Donning his chapeau, he followed in his trai
and after little search found the man as bC
fore, seated on the root of q tree with tn
as pasteboards spread out before him.
"Well, my son, +" said the bishop, pleasantly
s. :" how runs the luck to-day?"
Better, better, thank you replied the ger
ut tleman Il was flush of money, and have ju
won large stake-forty pounds.
p And how does God pay you?'' said h
reverence, with a pleasant smile at the man
an silly theory
He sends along some rich person, and,
ne cropping in the pocket of his coat tail, " the
nd give whatever l have won" The hand can
u out of the pocket with jerk, and there was
III villainous little pistol cooked and primed starir
= his reverence unpleasantly in the face
OF His clerical knees knocked together, and
dropped his pocket book before the extraord
nary gamester.
!o' II should say about twenty pounds, sa
Ia he, taking peep at the contents " but yo
III time piece will settle the difference" Otfca
q 10 the bishops watch, which was gold and gOut
~ ~ "That's fine ringy have" said the ma
inf but you may keep it )" adding despondentl
|, - remember, allowing seventy pounds for t
,o%~ % watch, you are still trfe in my debt, but y
IL may do with it as you did with the other
~. keeping the little weapon conveniently aime
not His reverence was out about a hundred g.
neas but with praiseworthy appreciation
af a good joke he afterward related it himself wi
hat great JUNCTION.