Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-24
From the Thibodaux Minerva.
The Baby that didn't Cry.

In l83-, Signor Persico was considered one Of
the largest silk merchants in Naples. His store
was situated In "Castel Square," and TO the stran-
ger passing, there was nothing In the outward APP
pearance 10 attract attention. Signor P. and his
silks were too well known to require outward show
or blazing signboards; he principally dealt with
the resident nobility.
One morning at the usual shopping hour splen-
did carriage drove up to tho store. The coronet
at the panneldoor, and the liveried servants aud
coachman told at once that the inmates of the
vehicle were not OF vulgar blood. Signol Persco
himself was doing the honors 70 assist a fne-look.
ing and mAgnifcently dressed lady, with her nurse
and baby TO descend from the carriage. A gen.
tleman, OF noble bearing and mien, apparently the
husband of the lady, and dressed In sporting habit,
followed, leading beautiful setter on delicate
silver chain. All entered the store "Signor p"
said the gentleman "my duchess would let mo
have no peace this morning, but she must come
and look at some Of your silks, though am in a
great hurry, for my friends the prince Of Pignateli
and the duke Of Mrandola are awaiting my arrival
10 have little sport among the kings pheasants
aud uuas at 'Caserta" Like mocha ism touched
by the acting spring, snndry clerks flew to do the
behests of the noble lady, and ransacked shelf
after shelf endeavorng to suit the fastdous taste
OF the duchess.
The store gradually filed up with customers, but
the lady seemed TO be In no hurry and made her
purchases cautiously and with most consummate
Judgment. The Duke attempted 70 stop her IN
whst he considered "her mad career" protesting
that he was not prepared TO pay for one half what
she already had pure ased, not dreaming when be
left home TO furnish himself with 80 much money,
especially az he was going only on hunting frol-
ick my dear Duke" said sh In her blandest
manner, "it is not often that indulge In shop
ping, as Signor PerTico well knows, (P. had never
seen the lady before, " and as think his present
stock superior to anything have seen in Tele.
do (the principal street in Naples, might just as
well patronize Signor Persico, and make all my
purchases at once. Look at those lovely printei
Do, my dear indulge me this time, II certainly
will bring you good luck In hunting" Persico
took side with the lady, what could the Duke do
but cornplyi More purchases were made Of the
choicest and costliest srtices until the bill amount
ed TO al 800 His Jordship bad exactly $66 In
ready cash in his pocket which he handed 70 the
merchant on account of BILL remarking at the
same time that he would just dive home and
bring the balance Of 81 ,435 Immediately.
To lull suspicion if Persieo might have had any,
the Duke handed him his card, and the nurse and
baby we're left at the store until the carriage should
return. The Duke was in great hurry Of course,
of went the equpage and the silks There were
too many people In the store Just at that time TO
take any particular notice of the nurse, who bad
seated hesself In remote corner with the baby In
her arms and rocking the same with great sssidu-
ity. Perhaps furtive glance now and then might
escape signor Persico just 10 see that the nurse
and baby were call right"
| In course Of time the crowd in the store dis
persed, and the silk merchant began TO think that
il was time for the carriage TO return with the nice
balance Of 81 ,4S5. But no carriage ever made
It's appearance. On further investigation the nurse
also had disappeared. Not so the baby The little
| dear was found lying on chair In the same re-
mote corner, without making the least noise or