The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-02-03
The KingsOf spaIn,s cigars.

| In addition to other bad qualities, FerdI
Dahd VII, Of Spain, possessed extraordinary
powers Of dssimulation, and it was observed
that the persons towards whom he happened
to manlfest attentions OF q more familiar
kind than usual were sure to be the party
whose ruin was determined on by the royal
hypocrite. Amongst these attentions, the
one most frequent was the presentation of q
cigar out ofthe royal "patche" itself. That
ct last became 80 common thar the attend.
ants could at once point out the person dis
gracedi by seeing him come from the royal
apartments with cigar In his hand.
1t occurred one day that Castsnos had on
audience of the king, which lasted some time
Ferdinand chatted in his Usual, easy, famil-
lar. though not polished or dignified manner,
and all the while continued his favorite mode
Of passing his time-smokiDg and drinking
beer.
On Cnstanos taking leave, his majesty of.
fered him half dozen rich Havanas from the
case, which wGs upon the table. Castanos.
far from accepting the significant present,
started back in dsmay, and earnestly en-.
treated his majesty to excuse him he would
rather not smoke for the present.
"Well, then. put them in your pocket, and
smoke them when you get home."
"Thanks thanks a thousand times,"
stammered the affrighted duke. 81 had
rather not. Your majesty will, hope-but
the truth is, I-l-I-had rather not smoke.
have made vow-a religious vow.-against
smoking pray, your majesty, excuse me-
Lord save US !" he cried, as he saw the king
approach him, and put the cigars in his
hand.
"What, Costanos Surely, have you
given up smoking I! See what thick smoke
what ashes of pearl, OF an inch long at the
end and, oh what rich aroma !" his ma
jesty exclaimed, as he showed practically,
the beauties of a thick, light brown regalia.
that drew water from the mouth of Castanos,
even when he resisted the temptation.
"Mny it please your majestyi it is exqui-
site but my bago-hea dache-rheuma.
tism-pains in my knees-pal pitation of the
heurt-vows to st. Michael, impossible to
break-cannot smoke, your majesty--can.
not smoke. Do not ask me. Will your
majesty permit me to retire g.
mot until you take cigar, they are mag
nificent," said the king, puffi,g away, as If
for a wager.
"Oh your mnjesty--to tell yorr majesty
frankly and honestly the truth, like good
cigar"-and this avowa he made in an i'm.
passioned manner-"but I have not the
slightest liking for the Castle of Segovia, or
any State prison in your royal dominions -
and he clapped his hands behind his back,
fur fear Of even touching with his fingers the
dangerous cigars.
Ferdinand paused for a moment, as il
searching in his own mind the cause for this
answer. He soon guessed it, and burst out
into most unkindIy roar of laughter at the
dismay Of his favorite and faithful general.
Castanos, seeingthe turn natter had taken,
took part in the royal cuchination.
"Truly, Castanos," said the king. after
gu'ping down glass Of beer to stop the hic.
cup his burst of merriment had brought on
"truly, child, (Castanos was then approach.
ing seventy this is too good. But never
fear, CaStanos pledge my word there is
no cause for suspicion. No, Castanos, you
need not feur you shall never be sent tc
Sesovia, or anywhere else in the way you
hint at. Others may hove cause TO fear, bu
you have none. So, my good lad, take YOU
cigar, in heavens name, aud smoke at your
ease."
Castunos looked at his majesty betwe
the eyes, to see II he was only joking but
fancy ing he could detect in Ferdinand's face
the marks of sincerity that could seldom be
traced there, he took the cigar from the roy
al hands, but still with the tips of his fingers
as il he thought the glorious weed was sc
much steel at white heat. He then made
a bow, and left the royal ptesen e.
1t is pleasing to add that, although Ferdi
nand sent to Castanos' house that same eve
ming, it was only to present him with 5000
of these same regalias.