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Show THE PR1FST S ARTIFICE. ' HOW A FREE AND EASY ("IREFK CLERGY" j MAN TAUGHT II IS FLOCK A LESSON. The Russian clergy of the Greek church must lead tree and easy lives', according to English accounts. In a new book, called "Sketches of Rus-tuan Rus-tuan Life," there is tho following anecdote: "All but the tall priest (hen threw their cards on the table and rose, saying, 'A fresh deal alter church service.' (U was Sunday morning ) 'No, no,' he said, 'keep your hand, partner; I ahall keep mine it ia a good one aud we shall play tho game alter our return. Here, Vassil; Kivo a towel wet. That will do. Now my robes there, that comb. And now go every one to your poata.' Thus saying, ho proceeded with a firm steD to the church by a private entrance As ho left the room I saw him place h:s good baud of cards within his sacred robes, under the inside fastening. Ho was evidently determined deter-mined not to lose sight ot hia trumps, and carried them oil on hia person into the church. I ran iouud to the front entrance, and was just in time to witness the commencement of the service. It is a wonder judgment did not fall ou the clief priest; and it did in a way. At ono part of the a&rvice just as be was stepping on the plat form he put bis hand msido his robe to pull out hia handkerchief, and aa he drew tt out the cards came a leu unbidden, and fell scattered over the altar floor. 'I his would have paralyzed para-lyzed any ordinary man, but that priest never moved for a moment. He looked coolly at the cards, then steadily stead-ily at the people, as much as to say, 'You all Bee that take notice of it; I shall tell you about it by aud by.' He then continued tho Bervices. At the does he pointed at the cards, then beckoned a little peasant boy, with a short skirt of coarse linen and trows-ere trows-ere to match, not very clean, who had been crossing and bending beside a poor peasant woman, his mother. "Come here!" The boy went. Turning to tho congregation, he eaid: "I shall give you a lesson you will njt forget for some time. You awe thceo cards lying on tho floor? Do you think I put them there for no thing? We shall see. What is your name, my boy?" "Peter Patrovilch." "Well, Peter Pctroviteh, go and pick up oneot those cards you seo on the floor, and bring it to me. There, that will do. Now. tell me, l'eier Petrovitch, what card ia this?" "The ace of spades," said the boy, with ready knowledge. "Very good, Peter Petrovitch; bring cue another. What card is this?" "The queen of spaaea," eaid Peter. 'How well you know them, Peter ! Bring mo another. And what may that be ?' 'The ten of hearts.1 'That will do, Peter, tho eon of Peter. Now turn around and look at this picture. Can you tell mo what Saint it represantB V The boy scratched at his head, then BD rugged hia little shoulders, lifting them up to his ears, then aerate bed his nead again and eaid: 'I know not.' 'Now look at this one; who is this?' The samb answer. 'And this ?' 'I cannot tell.' 'That will do, Peter, tho son of Peter; you may go to yuur mother.' Turumg to the people, he continued, 'Do you not know lor what purpose 1 put theso cards on the floor? Do you not think shame of yourselves ? Tell me, say is it not disgracelul and scandalous that the nice white haired little boy can tell me in a moment the name ot every card in the pack, and he not know the name of one ol the blessed sainta ? O shame, shame on ye, bo to bring up the youn; after , all the good teaching I have given ye!, Go away and learn the lesson I havt given you thia blessed day. Don't forget it, and force me to bring cardt-into cardt-into this holy place again. Vaasil, put the other cards up, and keep them for me.' So, with Bolemn step, he left the church to play out his interrupted game." |