The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-06-27
THE PRIESTS ARTIFICE.
rFrom sketohaa in Rnssia- l

| IFrom Sketches in Russial
All but the tall priest then threw
their cards on the table, and rose,
saying: "a fresh deal after church
service" ct was Sunday morn
ing.)
'.No, no." he said, keep your
hand, partner; I shall keep mine
it is a good one-and we shall play
the game after our return. Here,
Vassill give me toweI-wet. That
will do. Now my robes-there, that
comb. And now go, every one of
you, to your posts
Thus saying, he proceeded with
firm step to the church, by private
entrance.
AS he left the room / saw him
place his COOL hand of cards within
his sacred robes, under the inside
fastening. He was evidently deter.
mined not to lose sight of his trumps,
and carried them off on his person
into the church. [ ran around to
the front entrance, and was just in
time to witness the commencement
of the service. 1t was a wonder
judgement did not fall on the chief
priest; AMI it did in 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
handkerchief and as he drew it out
the cards came also unbidden, and
| fell scattered over the altar floor.
This would have paralyzed any or
binary man, but that priest never
moved for a moment. He looked
coolly at the cards, then steadily at
tie people, as much as to say. "You
all see that-take notice OF it; I
shall tell you about it by and by"
He then continued the services. at
the close he pointed at the cards,
then beckoned little peasant boy,
with short skirt of coarse linen and
trowsers to match, not very clean,
who had been crssing and bending
beside a poor peasant woman, his
mother.
"Come here - The boy went.
Turning to the congregation, he
said: Il will 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 is
your name. my boy:"
Peter Petrovitch.''
"WeIl, Peter Petrovitch, go and
pick up one OF those cards you see
lying on the floor, and bring it to me.
There, thai will do. Now tell me
Peter Petrevitch, what card is thisr'
's ss The ace of spade said the boy
with ready knowledge.
VERY good, Peter. Petrovitch;
bring me another. What card is
this p a s-ag
"The queen of spades" said
Peter" .o 5
"How well you know them. Peter
bring me another. And what may
be thatr p
q The ten of hearts
"That will do. Peter. the son of
Peter. Now turn round aud Iopk
at this picture. Can you tell me
what saint il represents p .rt
The boy scratched at his head
then shrugged his little shoulders
lifting them up to his ears. then
scratched his head again, and
said: ~
"I know not"
"Now look at this one-who is
THAR s.se.1
The same answer. $50 81
"And this?"
II cannot tell" l !
That will do. Peter. the son OF
Peter; you may go to your mother.
Turning to the people. he continued:
Do you now know for what pur-
pose put the cards on the floor?
Do you not think shame Of your
selves? Tell me. say is it not dis
graceful and scandalous that the nice
white-haired little boy can Tell me in
a moment the name of every card
in the pack, and he not know the
name OF one Of the blessed saints
o shame. shame on ye. SO to bring
mp the young after all the good
teaching [ have given yel Go away
aud learn the lesson have given