Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-05-17
Cardplying IN the Greek Church.

The Russian clergy Of the Greek
Church must lead free and eask lives,
according to English accounts. In a
new book, called "sketches of Russian
Life" there is the following amusing
anecdote:
'All but the tall priest then threw
their cards on the table, and arose,
saying,'A fresh deal after church sera
vice CT was Sunday morning)
No, no, he said keep your hand,
partner; ! shall keep mine-it is a
good one-and we shall play the
game after our return. Here, Vassili.
give me towel--wet. That will do.
Now my robes-there, that comb.
And now go every one 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 good 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 in
q the church. | ran around TO the
front entrance and was just in time to
witness the commencement of the
service. 1t is wonder judgement
lid not fall on the chief priest; and it
lid in way. AT one part of the
service, just as he was stepping on
tho platform, he put his hand inside
his robe to pull ont his handkerchief,
and as he drew it out, the cards came
also unbidden, and fell scattered over
the alter floor. This would have
paralyzed any ordinary man, bat that
priest never moved for moment. He
looked cody at the cards, then at the
people, as much as to say, You all
see that-take notice of il; / shall tell
YOU about it by and BY He then
continued the services. At the close
he pointed to the cards, then beconed
q little peasant boy, with q short
shirt of corrse linen and trousers TO
match, not very clean, who had been
crossing and bending beside poo
peasant woman, his mother.
Come here The boy went.
Turning to the congregation, he
said, l shall 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 moth
ing? We shall see. What is your
name, my boy?'
Peter Petrovitch.'
well. Peter Provitch, 60 and pick
mp one of those cards you see on the
floor, and bring it TO me. There,
that will do. New tell me, Peter,
what card is this 2
The ace Of spades. said .the boy,
with ready knowledge
very good, Peter; bring me On.
another. What card is this?'
THE queen of spades, said Peter.
How we'll you know them Peteri
bring me another, And what may
that be ?
sThe ten of hearts,
That will do, Peter, the sou of
Peter. Now turn around and look at
this picture. Can you tell me what
saint it represents
The boy scratched his head, then
serugged 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 thls?'
The same answer.
And this?'
i cannot tell
THAT will 90, Peter, the son of
Peter; you may 60 to your mother
Turning to the people, he continued,
DO you know now for what purpose
| put these cards on the floor? Do
YOU not think shame of yourselves?
Tell me, say, is it not disgraoeful 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 does not know the name Of one of
The blessed saints? Oh, shame, shame
on We, so to bring up the young after
al the teaching have given we! Go
away and learn the lesson ! have
given you this blessed day. Don't
forget it, and force me TO bring cards
into this holy place again. Vassil,
pnt the other cards up, and keep them
for me-
So, with solemn step he left the
church TO play out his interrupted
game.