The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-06-07
APslestss Arsiatce.

All Blu. tie tall priest thtl thtlenl threw ~ the.i
cords 1n the table, and rose, saying, "a
fresh deal after church service" fIt was
Sunday morning.)
partneI; shall keep s mIneit np yGus is psaS gasa
one-and we snail play the game after
towel-wet. That will do. Now my
robes-there, that comb. And now go,
every one Of you, to your posts"
step, to ehe church, by private en-
trance.
AS he left the room saw him place
his good haud of cards within his sacred
robes, under the inside fastening. He
was evidently determined not to lose
sight Of bis trumps. and carried them off
on his person into the church. l ran
round - the front entrance, and was just
in time to witness the commencement of
the service. 1t is wonder judgment did
not fall ON the Chief priest; and it did in
way. At one part of the service, just
as he was stepping on the r.atform, he
put his hand inside his robe to pull out
his handkerchief, and rs he drew it out
the cards came also unbidden, and fell
would have paralyzed any ordinary man,
bat that priest never moved for a mo-
ment. He locked coolly at the cards,
then steadily at the people, as much as
to say. you all see that-take notice of
it; ! shall tell you about il by and by"
He then continued the services. At tho
close iio pointed at The cards, then beck
oned q little peasant boy, with short
skirt of coarse linen and trowsers to
match, not very clean, who had been
crossing and bending beside poor peas
ant woman, his mother
mGome here!,, The boy went.
Turning to the congregation, he said ::
II hall give you lesson you will not
forget for some time. You see these
cards lying on the floor? Do you think
l put them there for nothing? We shall
see. What is your name, my boy 2"
"Peter Pctrovitch."
"Well, Peter Petrovitch, go and pick
up one Of those calds you see on the
floor. and bring it to me. There, that
will do. Now tell me, Peter Petrovitch,
what card is this ?"
"The ace of spades" said the boy, with
ready knowledge.
every good, Peter pctroyitch; bring
The queen of spades" said Peter.
"How well you know them, Peter
Bring me another. And what may that
br?"
"Thc ten Of hearts,"
"That will 10, Peter, the son of Peter.
Now turn round and look ut this picture.
Can you tell me what saint it represents f''
| The boy scratched nc his head, then
shrugged his little shoulders, lifting them
up to his ears, then scratched his head
again, and said:
81 know not"
"Now look at this onc-who is this 2''
The same answer.
"And this?"
II can not tell" ss7g
"That will do, Peter, the son of Peter
you may go to yo mother" Turning
to the people, he continued, "Do you
now know for what purpose 1 put these
cards on the hoor3 Do you not think
shame csyourselyes? Tell me, say is il
not disgraceful and scandalous that the
nice white-haircd little boy can tell me
in moment the name of every card in
the pack, aud he moi know the name of
one of the blessed saints? Q shame,
shame on ye, 80 to bring up the young
after all the good teaching 1 have given
you this blessed day. Don't forget it,
and force me to bring cards into this holy
place again. yassill, put the other cards
up, and keep thera for me-"
So, with solem, ster, hs left the church
to play out his interrupted game.-F'om
sketches in Russia.