University of Virginia Library

A VERY CURIOUS STORY.

An Archbishop of Canterbury was once on a tour, when a genteel man, apparently in earnest conversation, though alone in a wood, attracted his notice. His Grace made up to him, and, after a little previous conversation, asked him what he was about.

Stranger. `I am at play.'

Archbishop. `At play? With whom? I see nobody.'

Sir. `I own, sir, my antagonist is not visible: I am playing with God.'

Abp. `At what game, pray, sir?'

Str. `At Chess.'

Abp. `Do you play for anything?'

Str. `Certainly.'

Abp. `You cannot have any chance, as your ad-versary must be so superior to you.'

Str. `He takes no advantage, but plays merely as a man.'

Abp. `When you win or lose, how do you settle accounts?'

Str. `Very exactly and punctually.'

Abp. `Indeed! Pray, how stands your game now?'

Str. `There! I have just lost!'

Abp. `How much have you lost?'

Str. `Fifty guineas.'

Abp. `How do you manage to pay it? Does God take your money?'

Str. `No! The poor are his treasurers. He always sends some worthy person to receive it, and you are at present his purse-bearer.'

Saying this, the stranger put fifty guineas into his Grace's hand, and retired, adding — `I shall play no more to-day.'

The prelate was delighted; though he could not tell what to make of this extraordinary man. The guineas were all good; and the archbishop applied

them to the use of the poor, as he had been directed.

The archbishop, on his return, stopped at the same town, and could not help going in search of the chess-player, whom he found engaged as before, when the following dialogue ensued: —

Abp. `How has the chance stood since we met before?'

Str. `Sometimes for me — sometimes against me. I have lost and won.'

Abp. `Are you at play now?'

Str. `Yes, sir. We have played several games to-day.'

Abp. `Who wins?'

Str. `The advantage is on my side. The game is just over. I have a fine stroke — check-mate — there it is.'

Abp. `How much have you won?'

Str. `Five hundred guineas.'

Abp. `That is a large sum. How are you to he paid?'

Str. 'God always sends some good rich man when I win, and you are the person. He is remarkably punctual on these occasions.'

The archbishop had received a considerable sum

on that day, as the stranger knew; and so, pro-ducing a pistol by way of receipt, he compelled the delivery of it. His Grace now discovered that he had been the dupe of a thief; and though he had greatly bruited his first adventure, he prudently kept his own counsel in regard to the last.

Such is the tale. Se non è vero è ben trovato.