The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1898-07-14

the rounds every year ever since. Tboue
. il may not be nev 1t will still be fresh
many readers l, Vas originally entitle,
) TIE PERPETUAL ALMANAC;
THE ioLpER's PRAyrRBooK.
BY Richard Lac, . private toldier b
longing TO the forty second regiment, VIII
VAS taken before the mayor OF Glssgo'
for playing cards during divine service.
The sesreeant commanded the soldier
TO church, and when the psrson read th
prayer be took bis text Those who ba,
q bible took it out. but this soldier ha,
neither . bible nor common prayer. bool
but pulling out pack OF cards be spreat
them out bef 70 him. He fret looked 9
one card then 1t smother. The seargean
Of the company ssw him and said:
Richard, put up those cards; this 10 NJ
place for them.
Never mind that, said Richard.
When the service was over the constable
took him prisoner and brought him bt
fore the mayor.
Well, said the mayor, what have you
brought that soldier here iorp
For playing cards 10 church.
Well. soldier. what have you got TO say
for your selii
Much. sir, hope.
Very good; II not l will punish you
more than man was ever yet punished.
l have been, said the soldier. about six
weeks on the march; l have neither bible
or common prsyer.book; l have nothing
but pack OF csrde, and hope to satisfy
your worship OF the purity Of my inten
tiop.
Very good. said The mayor.
Then spreading the cards before the
mayor be began with the ace.
When l see the sce. il reminds me that
there 10 but one God. When l see the
deuce 1t reminds me OF Father and Son.
When 1 see the tray, II reminds me Of
Father. Bon and Holy Ghost. When ]
see the four. 1t reminds me OF the four
evsngelists that presched. viz. Matthew.
Mark, Luke and John. When ! see the
five, il reminds me OF the five virgins that
their lamps; there we're ten, but
five we're fools and we're shut ont When
see the Six, it reminds me that in elk
days the Lord made heaven and earth.
When l see the seven, it reminds me that
90 the seventh day God rested from the
work, be made and hsllowed it. When
see the eight, it reminds me OF the eight
righteous persons that were saved when
God drowned the world, viz, Noah and
bis wife, bis three sons and their wives.
When see the nine. it reminds me Of the
nine lepers that were cleansed by our
Saviour, there were ter, but nine returned
hanks. When l see the ten. 1t reminds
ne OF the ten commandments which God
handed down to Moses on table Of stone.
When see the king, it reminds me Of the
,reat king Of heaven, which is God
Almighty. When l see the queen, it re
minds me Of the Queen Of Shebs. who
vent TO hear the wisdom OF Solomon, for |
he was ss wise woman ss be wss 9 man.
She brought with her fifty boys and Aftv
,irls. oil dressed in boys apparel, for
King Solomon to tell which we're boys
nd which we're girls. King Solomon
ept for water for them to wash them
elves. The girls washed to the elbows
nd the boys TO the wrists; so King
solomon told by this.
Well. said the may or, you have given 3
OF oil the cards 10 the pack
Xcept one.
Which is that? asked the soldier.
The knsve. said the mayor
will give your honor . description OF
bat. too. il you will not be angry.
will not, said the mayor. II you will
lot term me . knsve.
Well. said the soldier, the greatest
nave l know IL the constable tbst
rought me here.
do not know, said the mayor. whether
10 is the greatest knsye, but know he is
be greatest fool.
When ! cornt Low many spots there
70 in pack. l find 365, IS many days ss
here are 10 . year.
When / count the number OF cards 10 .
sck, l find there are fiity-two, - many
'eeks O. there are 10 year.
And / fnd four suits. the number OF
Ieeks 10 . month.
Ind there are tselye picture cards 10
pack. representing the number OF
,onths 10 . year. and on counting the
ricks, / 6nd thirteen. the number Of
'esks IN . quarter 30 you see. sir. the
sck Of cards serve Tor bible. slmsnsc
nd common prayer. book 20 me.