With the present introduction of the author's game of "Guest," the historic origin of playing cards may be accepted as full and complete, by the introduction of the three only original and legitimate games known to the playing cards. All others are but substitutes of a cunning device and without merit.
The game of Whist has been in use nearly four hundred years. The game of Euchre has been in use nearly one hundred years. The game of Guest has been in use nearly two years. It is already crowned as the superior game of the period, and is expressed as "perfection perfected."
Moral: The question of use and abuse? is one man must meet; the solution of and the answer to which man must be individually responsible.
There is nothing from the hand of the Creator which man may make so great, so good, so wise and profitable use as time. And there is nothing from the same divine source which man may make so little, so evil, so unwise and unprofitable use as time. There is nothing from the hand of man which may be made to contribute so much of good, wise and moral social enjoyment as the playing cards; and there is nothing from the same human source which may be made to contribute so much of evil, unwise and immoral social estrangement as the playing cards.
The question of good and evil is one which man must decide and establish as the basis of his individual character. Of the two contending forces in man, the final question is, "Which of the twain shall I release unto myself, and which shall I crucify? If I release the good and crucify the evil, then am I good. If I release the evil and crucify the good, then am I evil."
Consider well. Consider, and elevate the moral standard of human character in the mind and life of the individual man.
H. D. CATLIN, Author,
No. 817 Maine Street, Quincy, Illinois.
"Oh, time, why thus abused?
And thou cards, why so misused?