The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-06-30
WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA, JUNE 80,



He walked out of the depot with .
satchel in his hand-a good looking
satchel, yet terribly gaunt and thin.
Ii satchels had ribs, one could have
seen that satchel's ribs and noted how
thin in flesh it was. When a profess
sor of hack driving asked the stranger
If he would have carriage he smiled
blandly. and replied:
Not this time Colonel-not just
now, although l warn thee that it is
plebian-like for duke to walk around
with his baggage in his hand. l am
In search of hostelry-a caravansary
where L can recuperate and refresh. >.
When he stood before the hotel
clerk the clerk noted that the stran.
ger hat was full of dents and caves;
that his shirt front was badly soiled.
that his garments were becoming
tmeadb bare, and that there was nee.
of thorough repair.
desire a seat at the banquet
board without delay" said the stran-
ger. have travelled far and feel
the need of refreshment." -
The clerk smiled as tlle satchel was
lifted over the counter. He "hefted'
it and smiled again. at-1ag
Il carry the ducats here, in my
wallet" said the stranger. and after
have slipped the amber mocha and
carved the spring. poultry l shall
cheerfully requite thee"
He might have seventy-five cents
about him-the clerk would chance
it. Victory lurked in the strangers
eye as he turned to one of the bell
boys and said:
Youthful slave, conduct me to a
place where l can lave my fevered
brow"
IIe was conducted, and after he had
laved he looked little better. Even
a boot black is improved by a liberal
application of soap and water. Still.
there was that lank satchcl behind
the counter. those thread bare gar
pents and that hungry voice.
Now, serf, proceed to the banquet
hall and / will follow thee" said the
stranger, as he ran a coarse comb over
his head for the last time.
Seated at the table and approached
by waiter, he remarked:
Thou canst bring me rare viands
of any kind, and / shall not quarrel
with thee about the cookery"
"Beefsteak fried ham mutton chops
or liver ?" qucried the girl. .e
Fair lady, to thine own good judg-
ment do leave il" he replied; "only
let wings be added to thy speed. for
my castle is leagues away, and L hun
ger"
She brought him a we'll l-selected
stock of groceries and provisions, and
he got away with them as steam
ditcher goes down through sandy soil.
He ate his fill, and then he crammed
down another meal on top of that.
He emptied his coffee cup again and
again. and when he finally rose from
the table he could hardly lift himself.
Turning to the fatigued waiter he
gently said:
Fair maiden of the valley, thou
hast done thy culinary work in man.
ner which speaks volumes for thee.
Permit me to offer thee my heartfelt
thanks" r.
He strolled into the office, put some
matches in one vest pocket and some
toothpicks in the other, and then
leaning his elbow on the counter, said
to the clerk:
''Thou knowest thy duties we'll. and
when l am far away 1 shall gladly
sound thy praise" sa5 ~
Come, no iooling now-out with
that scventy-five cents"
''As soon as my retainers arrive l
shall give thee a weighty purse, and
thou canst keep every ducat in it.
'Ducat be hanRed-1 want script
nicklcs-stamps. l want pay for your
breakfast
Gently, my friend. with the Ro-
man nose, continued the stranger.
Thou canst not say [ am lord or e
duke in disguise"
And [ don't care a cent. Are you
going to pay
Am l going to turn these frag-
ments of wood into gold?" queried
the stranger, holding up number of
pine toothpicks,
The clerk came out of the Office,
having the lean satchel in his hand,
and he took the stranger to the door,
kicked him with great good will and
pointed up street.
II co." said the man, in a solemn
voice. but when my retainers arrive 1
shall seek my revenge; human goro
shall be shed to satisfy me"
You want to gore right away from
here-quick, smart!" exclaimed the
clerk.
He went. His face was clouded for
a moment, but then q grand smile
covered it, and he stopped newsboy
and asked:
My faithful minion, canst thou
direct me to an Office over the door of
which Lang the traditionary golden
balls of the base money-lcnder-a
place where [ may exchange a few
precious heirlooms for vile dross."
And the boy did.