The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-03-06
Three Games Of Chess.


! his country residence. q short distance
from London. 70 drive into town, Ia
receive considerable money which was
due to him. He was IN high spirits
aud ths'smiling landscape around him
seemed in harmony with the Joyous
thoughts passing through his mind
The early morning air was cool anil
fragrant, the clear sky gave promise OF
fair weather. and 9 soft breeze stirred
the trees in those woods which have
alas disappeared before the inroads OF a
rapidly increasing population, and lona
since been replaced by rows Of subur.
ban villas.
The young groom WHO drove his
carriage WAS the only attendant whom
tie archbishop had allowed to accom-.
pany him on this occasion, for he wish
ed to give himself up to the enjoymen,
OF the beautiful scenery and fne wealth.
er, without restraint. He had, how.
ever, not preceded far on his way, bs.
fore . diversion Of an unexpected ma
ture presented itself. At q turn in the
road bis attention vas attracted by a
young man Of pleasing exterior stretch.
ed at full length on the grassy bank
bordering the wood. his head supported
on bis hand, and his eyes intently
fixed on . chess board before him, on
which . game was in the course of be.
ing played. The miniature combat
ants of ebony aud ivory were engaged
in Q fierce conflict, and several had
already been forced TO leave the feld;
but the player appeared to be alone
at all events. his antagonist was no
where to be seen. This strange circum.
stances attracted the notice and excited
ed the curiosity Of the prslste, who
stopped his carriage in order to watch Sc
novel . proceeding. There certainly
was no player on the opposite side, the
young man was absolutely slsns; ab-
sorbed In the game. he never withdrew
his eyes from the piece before him. ex-
cept to look up to heaven from time to
time.
Ths curiosity of the spectator was
now fairly reused; stepping from his
carriage, he approached the player.
What are you doing there, my
~
AS your grace may see. am play
ing chess. was the reply
You seem to know mey'
You are the Archbishop OF Canter-
bury
1t appears you are alone; who Is
playing the game with your
God" answered the young man with
much solemnty raising his hand towards
heaven.
The Archbishop could not help burst
ing out laughing. The chess-player.
in no wise disconnected. calmly oontin-
ued to pass his hand from one side of
the Loard to the other. moving as q
matter of course. not his own pieces
only. but those belonging To his un-
seen opponent.
AT least your losses do not fall
heavy on you the prelats at length
remarked, regarding the youth with
kindly COMMUNICATION.
Your grace is quite mistaken was
the quick rejoinder. Mine 10 the most
rigorous of creditors. and exacts im-
mediate payment. as you may presently
see for yourself. To day I have been
most unfortunate. Ah. there
goes my last pawn; cannot help it. it
is useless To contend with Omnipotence.
Now comes the wretched castle IN my
way. aud cannot take it. There. the
game is up with me sooner than ex-
pccted-your grace csp see | am
checkmated.'
Thereupon, the young man. spring
ing to his feet. took purse from his
pocket. and offered two guineas to the
astonished onlooker.
Whenever lose, he continued.
God never fails 10 send some one di-
rectly to receive, His winnings: the
stake for which We were playing was
two guiness; please take them for the
poor And after foreipg the money
upon the acceptance Of the reluctant
archbishop, the stranger packed up his
pieces, put his chess board under his
arm, and vanished into the wood.
The poor fellow ought to be in u
madhouse.' said the archbishop to him
self, as be resumed his seat in the car
riage, aud ordered the seevant TO drive
on. The remainder of his jou rney 10
london was enterely uneventful.
The sun Isa already sunk below
the horizon. when the archbishop set
out On his homewsrd dive. On reach.
ing the scene of the mornings adven-
ture he beheld the very same chess
player engaged in . tr.sh game: this
time, however, being anxious to get
homs, the prelste was going to drive
by with out stopping. No sooner did
the chess-plsyer become aware Of
his intention, than with q single
bound be sprang to the horses heads,
and laid firm hand on the bride.
i expect your grace To slight. and
look az the game / have Just fn-
ished.' he. said
i am very sorry. but really cannot
stop now-l am in . hurry
Your grace m.a alight. reioined
the young man in a peremptory tone,
as he opened the carriage door.
What do you mean by speaking to
me i'm this manner said the lord of
Canterbury, almost ansrily; but he
checked himself. and got out nf the
carriage. fearing lest tue madman
might, if opposed. proceed to violence.
You know l was the loser this morn-
ing, said the young man. as he led him
towards the chess-bosrd For q whole
fortnight il has been my fate To lose
every game. but st length fortune has
fssore.- me; If you took. you will ses
to-day have checknated-'
i am glad to hear it for your sake.
ard feel sure God will not De behind
hand in payins His debts. replied the