Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-12-06
THE PRESSES ARTIFICE.:

Z
Church must lead free-and-easy lives,
according to English accounts. Ina
new book called Sketches of Russian
Life," there is the following amusing
aneeaote - ---------- - -
'.All but the priest then threw their
cards on the table, and rose, saying
"A fresh deal after church service.
ut was Sunday morning.) =
"tNo, no. Keep your hand, part
ner, l shall keep mine--it is good
one--and we shall play the game after
Eour return. Here, yassili, give meia
towel-wet. That will do. Now my
robes-there, that comb. And now
go every one to your post -''e.~ trsa1
nj "Thus saying, l'e'preceeded with d
firm step to the church by $ private
entrance. -; -. .,
'iAs 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,
band carried them off ON his person
into the church, I ran round to- the
front entrance, and was just in time TO
witress the commencement of the
service. .. .ei IL. -faae., =. r
ut is a wonder judgment did not
fall on the chief priest. and 1t did in
a way. AT one part OF the service,
liust as he was steppingon J, the plat
form he put his hand inside Ibis robe
to pull out his handkerchief, and as he
drew it out the cards came also nm
hidden, and fell scattered over the
altar. floor. ..r,34.e fs ,.ass;.,,..t
sThis would have sparalyzed any
ordinary man, bus that priest neve,
, moved for a moment. He looked
coolly at the cards, then steadily al
the people, as much as to- say, .Yor
II all see that-take notice to it; l shall
tell you about ftY by -and-by.' HI
2 then continued THE servicett2nA At the
close he pointed to the cayds, ther
B beckoned a little peasant boy, with ,
E short skirt of coarse linen and trows
: ers to match, not very clean, who had
$ been crossing and bending beside !.
a poor peasant woman, bis mother. a.
il I" Come here! !'3'' Il II =. 3to..ii
al 'sThe boy went'. Ii il, sdl ISL ?.
Turning to the congregation, h,
said 7 shall give you lesson yot
y will not forget for. some time. Yo,
] see these cards lying on, the floor
e DO you think Tput them there fol
1 nothing? We shall see. What ].
: your name, my boy?'5a@ ...st,i4s3
j "Peter Petrevitch.,' .iiiy l.,J.est,
4 swell, Peter Petrevitch go and
! pick UP one Of those cards you see on
: the foor, and bring it to me. There
: that will do. Now tell me-. Peter
! Petrovitch, what card is this?'s be
II "Ihe nee Of spades,s' said the boy,
with ready knowledge. g : 'Si 'e91''
every good, Peter Petroyitch.
Bring me ,apother. What card !, is
that ~ eela Iite luoDh ais4e>, ~
sThe queen Of spades, n'sad Peter
| Petroyitch.. ie' ttitanlFt4itle -. rfaii g
..sHow well YOU know them, Peter !
1 Bring me another. sAnd what may
i that be i"a ,s~iFn- tgu = ssalsl
1.The ten toi hearts, 4ts ~ 9a'
il "That viii do, Peter, the son OF
Peter. Now turn round and look at
This picture. Can you tell me what
/ saint it represents7'. s9Is
/ The boy scratched at mis- head,
thenlshrugged his salittle shoulders,
/ iftihe' them up 70 his ears, then
scrstohed his bead again. and said..
ssI know not. 'hs ste*9 -s-a
| New, look At tlt this one who Is
thisi', II; +fs.slna II
gsThe same answer, z ss
And This? ~ 81 l5li .i.x.si y I,
ST cannot tell .s'tH so 81 sas
THAT win 90, Peter, the son 4 d ofl
Peters you may go to.syour mother.
Turning 10 The people, he continued,
|sDo yon know now for what rurpose