Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-05-12

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try where wealth was then the rule
and poverty the exception-began to
be mark for curious eyes, and a
source Of wonderment for the occupa-
tion of meddling and officious tongues.
To the idle and easy-tempcred Dons,
he was indeed riddle.
He came among them with no lack
of money, yet he endcavorcd not to
gain their esteem and friendship by its
expenditure in those costly and gen
crous hospitalities which were the
general rule among themselves. He
entered almost recklessly into specula
tion--at least they thought so--yet
though every venture was returned
sevenfold, his abode remained the
samoa wrctched little villa, storm
beaten, weather stained, and rickety,
in the outskirts Of the city. All his
projects, both on sea and land, were
totally successful yet lac gave no pres
ents to the churches, nor-herctic that
he was.-oacred the least addition to
the holy store Of patron saint or celes
tial interccssor. Those who chanced
to gain admittance into his house, re-
ported that his wife and two young
children dressed in the coarsest raj
ment, and subsisted on the cheapest
food; and that the furniture was both
scant and common in the extreme.
In short, Don Estevan was neither
more nor less than downright miser
they all came at length to that deci-
dcd conclusion. Perhaps their indig-
nation at his neglect of every sacred
duty, as demanded by their creed,
might have led them to more than q
mere private expression of their dis
trust; but after mature consideration,
it was decided that Don EStevan was
not an individual to be lightly inter-
fered with. lie was a pcaceable man,
certainly; but Signor Emanuel Vazag-
liza intimated, that the result Of a GER
tain interview between himself and
Don Estevan had thoroughly satisfied
him (the Signor) that he could, if
aroused, display the temper Of Satan
himself
"You see. friends. acting upon your
suggestion, |, as an alcaldc of the city,
deemed it no more than my duty to
see further into the affairs of this mys-
terious man. He came among us n
perfect stranger. No one knew him
-hc brought letters of introduction
from nobody. lie entered at once
: into business spcculations, and every
thing he touched turned to gold yet
of that gold, no one whatever seemed
to derive the least benefit. lie was
invited to receive hospitality time and
again of his fcllow-mcrchants-he not
; only invariably refused it, but never
even had the politcncss to attempt an
approach to repayment of the tender
cd polteness. Therefore it behooved
some one to see further into it. and
demand an explanation Of his cxtraor-
dinary conduct. I was the person
chosen for that Office"
The speaker paused to blow his
nose. He was little pannchy man,
! with so much dignity bursting forth
) from his small person, that how he
managed to escape being carried up tc
, the clouds by the initiation Of his owl
sclf-estecm, was matter of grave and
sober wenderment. The rest of the
party (assembled in the balcony of q
; Rio Janciro hotel } were pretty much
of the self-same genus homo. They
4 gravely pufied away at their cigarettes
and stared placidly at the speaker
5 lie went on:
Il called upon him, after the SUI
had set one evening; and introducing
myself as an alcalde and q merchant
was invited to enter and unfold my
business. This | speedily did; and il
: the digniicd manner which | flatte
myself is natural to some men. rea
i soned with him as to his uncommon
behavior toward myself and fellow
citizens, and gave him one or tw,
sensible suggestions as to his fatur
course Of action.
Have your house repaired an'
painted, said /. Get up somethin:
, of fete-any assistance L can rendc
: you, as a stranger, to our way of doin;
= that sort of thing. l shall be NOR
than pleased to offer; invite certain
number of our best and most inauen
tial people-Pll give you the name
u in fact, I'll undertake to deliver tn
Il invitations personally, if you leave tn
: commission to mel: dress your VIII
a and two daughters (nice girls, but nc
} snowy enough for our South Amcri
/ can taste) dress them with some littl
T. nearer approach to elegance; max
e some few trininc presents TO one Q