Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-13
THE GAMBAER'S LAST STAKE.

IN an inner room of his counting
house, which occupied a wing Of his
splendid mansion III the Gale Alcala, sat
Don Jose c0lanO, one Of the richest bank
ers IN Madrid, Illuminating with much self
c0mplaCencg unon the profitable results
Of & recent speculation. He was inter
rupted in his meditations by the entrance
OF one the clerks ushering in a stranger,
who brOUgbta letter Of introduction from
3 banker at Mexico, with whom Don Jose
had had occasional transactions. The let
ter stated that the bearer, the Condo de
Vallejo, was Of highly respectable fam
lily Of Mexican nobility, that he was de-
sirous of visiting Europe, and more es-
t)ecially tire country of his ancestors.
Spain; and it then went on to recommend
him in the strongest terms to the Madrid
banker, as one whose intimacy and friend
ship could not fail to be sought after by
all who became acquainted with his many
excellent and agreeable qualities.
The appearance Of the Count seemed to
Justify, a far as appearance can do, the
high terms in which he was spoken Of in
this letter. He was about eght-and-
twenty years of age, dark complexioned,
with high, clear forehead, short, crisp,
curling hair, an intelligent and regular
cOuntcnance, and a smile of singular
beauty and fascination His eyes were
the only feature which could be pro-
nOunced otherwise than extremely pleas
ing; although large, black and lustrous,
they had certain fixity and hardness of
expression that produced an unpleasant
impression upon the beholder, and would,
perhaps, have been more disagreeabie had
not the mellow tones of the Counts voice,
and his suavity and polish Of manner,
served in great measure to counteract
the effect of this popularity.
Doing due honor to the strong recon-
Gnendation of his esteemed correspond
4ent, Don Jose welcomed the young Condo
with the utmost hospitality, insisted on tax
ing possession of him for the whole of the
day, and. without allowing him TO return
TO his hotel, dragged him into the house,
presented him to his son and daughter
and charged them to use their utmost ex-
ertions TO entertain their guest, while he
himself returned to his occupations till
dinner-time. At one o clock the old banker
reappeared in the sala, where he found
Rafael and Mariquita Solano listening
with avldity to the agreeable converse
ton of the count, who, in his rich and
characteristic Mexican Spanish, was Civ
ing them the most interesting details CON
corning the country he had recently left
The magnifcence of Mexican scenery, the
peculiarities of the Indian races, the COR
geous vegetation and strange animals of
the tropics, fo,med the subjects of his dis
course, not a little interesting to young
man Of three anf twenty, and a girl of
eighteen, who had never as yet
been fifty leagues away from Mad
rid. Nor had the strangers con-
versation less charms for the old
Wall NJ
Havannah; was acquainted with scenes,
if not with persons, with which were as
ISOLATED some of Don Jose's most agree
able "reminiscences; scenes that he had
visited IN the days of his youth, when he
laid the first foundation of his princelv
fortune. To be brief, the agreeable man
ners and conversation of the Count so
won upon father, son, and daughter, that
when at nightfall he rose to take his leave,
the banker insisted upon Valleia' s taking
up his abode with him during his stay in
Madrid Valleja raised many difficulties
on the score of the Inconvenience or
trouble he might occasion; but they were
all overruled and the contest of polite
ness terminated in the Counts accepting
the hospitality thus cordially pressed up
on him. The very next day he was in
stalled IN splendid apartment in the
house OF Don Jose.
several days. even weeks, elapsed dur
ing which Vallejo continued to be the
inmate Of the Casa Solano. He appear
ed very well pleased with his quarters,
and, on the other hand, his host found
no reason to regret the hospitality shown
him. lie soon became the spoiled child
OF the family; Don Jose could not make
meal without Vallejo was there to chat
\, oh ho
was the inseparable companion of his
walks, rides, and outdoor diversions:
while the blooming Mariquita never seem
ed SO happy as when the handsome Mex
lean was seated beside her embroidery
frame, conversing with her in his low, soft
tones, or singing to the accompaniment
Of her guitar some of the wild melodies
nf his native country. Indeed, SO