A PACK OF CARDS.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 144, 10 May 1879, Page 3

A PACK OF CARDS.

A private soldier of the name of Richard Lee was taken before a magistrate in Glasgow for playing cards during divine service. A seargeant led the soldiers to an English Chuich, and, when the minister had read the prayer, he gave out the text. Those who had Bibles took them out ; but the soldier had neither Bible nor common Prayer Book : so, pulling out a pack of cards, he spread them before him. He first looked at one, and then at another. The sergeant of the company saw him, and said :—" Richard, put up the cards, this is no place for them." " Never mind that," said Richard. When the services were over, the constable took Richard in charge, and brought him before the magistrate next clay. " Well," said the Bailie, " what have you brought the soldier here for?" " For playing cards in Church." " Well, soldier, what have you got to say for yourself?" "Much sir, I hope." " Very good, if not, I will punish you severely." " I have been," said the soldier, " about six weeks on the march. I have neither Bible nor Common Prayer Book. I have nothing but a pack of cards, and I hope to satisfy your worship of the purity of my intention." Then spreading the cards before the Bailie, he began with the ace, it reminds me that there is but one God. When I see the deuce, it reminds cf the Father and Son. When I see the three, it reminds me of the Father Son, and Holy Ghost. When I sec the four, it reminds me of the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. When I see the five, it reminds me of the five wise virgins who trimmed their lamps. There were ten, but five were shut out. When I see the six, it reminds me that in six days God made heaven and earth. When I see the seven, it reminds me that God rested from the great work on the seventh day. When I see the eight, it reminds me of the eight righteous persons who were saved from the flood. When I sec the nine, it reminds me of the nine lepers who were cleansed by our Saviour. When I see the ten, it reminds me of the ten commandments. When I see the King, it reminds me oi the great King of Heaven and Earth, who is God Almighty. When I see the Queen, it reminds me of the Queen of Sheba, who visited Solomon."

" Well," said .the Magistrate, '•' you have described every card in the pack, but one —the knave (sometimes called Jack.)" " I will describe that one too if you will not be displeased." " I will not, if you do not term me the knave." 11 The greatest knave I know of is the constable that brought me here." " I do not know if he is the greatest knave, but he is the greatest fool," said the Bailie." " When I count how many spots there are in a pack of cards I find there arc three hundred and sixty five, as many clays as there are in a year. When I count the number of cards I find fifty-two, the number of weeks. I find there are twelve picture cards in a pack, representing the number of months in a year ; and, on counting the tricks, find thirteen, the number of weeks in a quarter. So you see a pack of cards serve for a Bible, an Almanac, and a Common Prayer Book." - -■=— . .