The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-07-11
Jacks Wonderful Book.


IN. number of servants; reposed conf
dence in one of them, which excited
jealousy in the others, who, in order to
prejudice their master against him, accus-
ed him Of being notorious gamester.
jack was called up and closely interrogat-
ed but he denied the fact, at the same
time declaring that he never played
card in his life. To be more fully con-
vinced, the gentleman ordered him to be
searched, when behold apack of cards
was found in his pocket Highly incens-
ed at jacks want of veracity, the noble
man demanded, in rage, how he dared
to persist in an untruth.
"Nty lord" replied he, I" 1 certainly do
not know the meaning of card; the
bundle in my pocket is my almanac p
Your almanac, indeed then l desire
that yon will prove it."
Well, sir, / will begin: There are
four seasons in the year; as there are
thirteen cards in suit, so there are
thirteen weeks in quarter, there are
also the same number Of lunation the
twelve signs of the zodiac through which
the sun steers his diurnal course in one
year there are fifty-two cards in pack ;
that directly answers for the number of
weeks in year examine them more mi
nutely, and you will find three hundred
and sixty-ive spots, as many as there are
days in the year; these multiplied by
twenty-four and sixty, and you have the
exact number of hours and minutes in a
year Thus, sir, have convinced you it
is my almanac, and by your lordships
permission, l will prove it is my prayer
book also. l look upon the four suits as
representing the four prevailing religions
christianity, Judaism, Mahommedan-
ism and Paganism the twelve court cards
remind me Of the twelve patriachs, from
whom sprang the twelve tribes of Israel,
the twelve apostles, the twelve articles Of
of Christian faith. The king reminds me
of the allegiance due to his majesty The
queen of the same to her majesty.
The ten brings to my recollection the ten
cities in the plain of Sodom and Gomor-
rah, destroyed by fire and birthstone from
Heaven; the ten plaques Of Egypt, the
ten commandments, the ten tribes cut Oft
for their vice. The nine reminds me of
the nine muses.; the nine noble orders
among men. The eight reminds me Of
the eight beatitudes the eight persons
saved in Noah's ark; the eight persons
mentioned in Scripture released from
death to life. The seven reminds me Of
the seven administering spirits that stand
before the throne of God the seven liber-
al arts and siences given by God for the
instruction of man; the seven wonders Of
the world. The six reminds me Of the
six petitions contained in the Lords
Prayer. The five reminds me of the
senses given by God to man-hearing
seeing, feeling, tasting and smelling. The
four puts me in mind of the four evangel
lists the four seasons of the year. The
three reminds me of the Trinity; tht
three hours our Savior was on the cross
the three days He lay inferred. The tive
reminds me of the two Testaments: tht
contrary principles struggling in man
virtue and vice. The ace reminds me o
the only true God to adore; worship an(
serve, one truth to practise, and one good
master to serve and obey"
$50 far is very we'll" said the noble
man; but believe you have omitted
one card-the knave" True, my lord
the knave reminds me of your lordship'
informer." The nobleman became NOR
pleased with Jack than before, freel
forgave him, raised his wages, and dis
charged the informer.