The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-01-07
The Perpetual Almanac or Soldiers Pray.
cr Book.
BY RICH LANE.

The following curious article is taken from
an English newspaper of the year 1TT4.
A private soldier belonging to the 42i regi-
ment was taken before the Mayer of GLASGOW for
playing cards during divine service. The
sergeant commanded the soldier to church
and when the parson read his text.-Those
who hsd bible took it out: but this soldier
had neither bible ror common prayer-book.
but pulling out pack of cards, he spread
them out before him. lie first locked at one
card and then at auother.-The sergeant of
the company saw and said
Richard put up the cards, this is no place
for them
Never mind that, said Richard.
When the service was over, the constable
took Richard prisoner and brought him before
the Mayor.
WELL said the Mayor, swhat have you
brought that soldier here for?'
'For playing cards in church.
well. soldier, what have you to say for
yoprself?'
Much sir, hope
very good. if not, will punish you more
than man ever was punished
Il have been, said the soldier about six
weeks on the march; have neither Bible nor
Common Prayer Book; | have nothing but a
pack of cards, and hope to satisfy your wor-
ship of the purity of my Intention
Very good said the Mayor.
Then spreading the cards before the May
or, lie began with tae Ace:
when | see the Ace it reminds me there
is hut one God.'
| When see the Deuce, it reminds me of
the Father and Son.
when see the Tray it reminds me of the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost
| when see the Four, it reminds me of the
Four Evangeists that preached, viz Mat
thew. mark, Luke and John.
'When see the Five, it reminds me of the
| five wise Virgins that trimmed their lamps.
There were ten, but five were fools and were
shut out.
'when I see the Six. it reminds me that in
six days the Lord made heaven and earth.
when see the seven, it reminds me that
on the seventh dav God rested from the works
he made and hallowed it.
when see the Eight, it reminds me Of
the eight righteous persons that were saved
when God drowned the world, viz Noah
and his wife, bis three sons ard their wives
when see the Nine, it reminds me of the
nine lepers that were ceansed by our Saw
Jour. There were ten, but nine never return
ed thanks.
when | see the Ten, it reminds me of the
Ten Commandments which God handed down
to Moses on a table of stone.
when see the King. it reminds me of the
Great King of Heaven which is God Almigh-
ty.
"When I see the Queen, it reminds me of
the Queen of Sheba, who went to hear the
wisdom of Solomon; for she was woman as
he was q man. She brought with her fifty
boys and Fifty girls, all dressed in boys APP
parel, for King Solomon to tell which were
boys and which were girls. King Solomon
sent for water for them to wash themselves,
the girls washed to the elbows, and the boys
to the vrsts-so King Solomon told by this.
Well, said the Mayor, you have given a
description of all the cards in the pack except
one'
which is that? p said the soldier.
THE Knave, said the Mayor.
Il will give your honor description of that,
too. if you will not be angry.
Il will not said the Mayor, IF you will
not term me to be the knave.'
well, said the soldier, the greatest knave
I know is the constable that brought me
here
Il do not know said the Mayor, whether
he is the greatest knaYe; but know be is the
greatest fool
men count DOW many spots IN pack
find three hundred and sixty-fve--as many
es their are days in the year.
when | count the number of cards in a
pack, find there are ffty-two-as pany as
there are weeks in the year. And find four
suts-the number of weeks in a month.
Il find there are twelve picture cards in the
pack, representing the number of months in
a year; and on counting the tricks find tbir-
teen-the number of weeks in a quarter
So you see, sir, the pack of cards serves for
bible, almanac and common prayer book to
me-