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

All but the tall priest then threw their
cards on the table, and rose, saying, "a
fresh deal after church service" 1t was
Sunday morning.
"No, no." he said, "keep your hand,
partner; shall keep mine-it is good
one-and we shall play the game after
our return. Here, Vassill; give me a
towel-wet. That will do. Now my
robes there, that comb. And now 60,
every one of you, to your posts"
Thus saying, he proceeded, with firm
step, to the church, by a private en-
trance.
AS he left the room saw him place
his good hand of cards within his sacred
robes, under the inside fastening. He
was evidently determined not to lose
sight of his trumps, and carried them of
on his person into the church. [ ran
round to the front entrance, and was just
in time to witness the commencement OF
the service. Itisa 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 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 ordinary man,
but that priest never moved for mo-
ment. BE looked coolly at the cards,
then steadily at the 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 beck
oned a little peasant boy, with a 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.
"Come here!" The boy went.
Turning to the congregation, he said :
ri shall give you lesson you will not
forget for some time. You see these
cards lying on the floor? Do you think
I put them there for nothing? We shall
see. What is your name, my boy
"Peter Petrovitch."
"Well, Peter Petrovitch, 60 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 Petrovitch; bring
me another. What card is this ?"
"The queen of spades" said Peter.
elbow we'll you know them, Peter
Bring me another. And what may that
be?"
'The ten of hearts,"
''That will do, Peter, the son of Peter.
Now turn round and look at this picture.
Can you tell me what saint it represents p
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 this p
The same answer.
"And this?"
. 81 can not tell" !. q ~ saaaz
"tThat will do, Peter, the son of Peter;
you may 60 to your mother" Turning
to the people, he continued, "Do you
now know for what purpose l put these
cards on the floor? Do you not think
shame of yourselves? Tell me, say is ii
not disgraceful and scandalous that the
nice white-haired little boy can tell me
in moment the name of every card in
the pack, and he not know the name OF
one of the blessed saints 0 shame,
shame on ye, so to bring up the young
after all the good teaching I have given
you this blessed day. Don't forget it.
and force me to bring cards into this holy
place again. Vassill, put the other cards
up, and keep them for me-"
So, with solemn step, he left the church
to play out his interrupted game.-F}on1
sketches in Russia.