The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PLAYS CARDS WITH DEVIL

ABOUT FIVE OR SIX GENERATIONS AGO IN IRELAND, A GREAT GRANDFATHER
OF THE ROBINSON CLAN, WAS MOST KNOWN FOR HIS LOVE OF GAMBLING
WITH CARDS. ONE DAY ON SOME BACK IRISH ROAD, OUR GREAT-GREAT
(SEVERAL MORE GREATS) GRANDFATHER MET A STRANGER SITTING ON THE
STILE. IMMEDIATELY GRANDFATHER INVITED THE STRANGER TO A GAME OF
CARDS. THE STRANGER ACCEPTED AND THE TWO BEGAN TO PLAY. THE
STRANGER REPEATEDLY WON HAND AFTER HAND UNTIL OUR ANCESTOR WAS
OUT OF MONEY. THE STRANGER SEEING THIS OFFERED TO MAKE ONE FINAL
WAGER; ALL THE MONEY AGAINST GRANDFATHER'S SOUL. THE WAGER SO
SHOOK HIM THAT HE DROPPED HIS CARDS TO THE GROUND. UPON BENDING TO
PICK THEM UP HE SAW THAT THE STRANGER HAD CLOVEN HOOVES. NOW, I'M
SURE YE ARE THE DEVIL, HE SAID, AND WITH THAT HE MADE A SOLEMN OATH
NEVER TO GAMBLE AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY

Date learned: 10-05-1971