Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-03

Every body remembers that fabulous story
which emanated from al Albany Journal
about q year ago and rapidly went the
rounds or the press, giving, under the head
ing 1.-The Brazilian Wedding" q fun de
scription OF the gorgeous wedding OF the IA
vorite daughter o. the cr0 us OF Sou n
America, Don SsnZa Caoral, &C ~ smau-
tina, Brazil, The supposed diamond mer
chant. Although the story was we'll aud IN
tereStiDgly told, ~ was hardly supposed al
the time that IL would hnd many IIrm be.
lievers. IL was only q very short time Since
however. that paragraph ma te its sppe ar
ance in the New York sun, stating that the
postmaster there hal received as deaf mail
matter from Rio de JaneirO, package
weighing seventeen pounds aud 90 tanning
645 letters, all addressed TO Don SauZs ca
this notice in the sun a well known knight
OF the quill attached 60 "A prominent Atbany
paper, inquired of the Post Ouice depart
ment, through the postmaster at Albany, il
he was not entitled 90 the above men toned
letters, since Don SanZl Cabrat was one
OF his own creations. a purely fctiusu
character. A. he was his sole living repre-
ser tatiVe. be considered himself ertitlei %
al com mut icB tious directed 10 the said
Don This Journalistic genius az not te-
sire The letters for publication, bat would
value them for file in his scrapbopk n rs
tra tirg H. a marked ana UNIQUE manner the
success OF the Brazilian Weddiug"-su eN-
traHsgauza directed at one OF the follieS of
modern lie. All these letters were imme-
dlateiy sent from New YORK TO the dead let
ter Office here, aud upon opening them IL
wac al once evident that the above request
could not be graz tel, as the law orders all
eead letters 10 be returned 10 the writers
when possible, ana there was not the least
difficulty here for ever letter gave uumts-
taxable directions where the answer WAS 70
be sent 1t has been learned that letters
were sent To the supposed Diamond King OF
Brazil continuously since the story was 1rst
made public, averaging twenty week from
The New York office alone. and prODaaly A.
many more from the other exchange offices
The writers represented every condition OF
life, and although ali parts OF the
Union were well represented the SOUTH
contingent With characteristic directness
lie gifts or loans asked were usually large
reaching as high a. $50 600. Some, however
we're more moderate In their requests: IA
one instance the writer OF the letter would
have been grateful for donation sufIi Gent
10 purchase a sewing machine. This now
ever, was the smallest amount asked for
IDe excuses for seeking aid were numerous
ahd varied; some wanted sufficient 10 ST art
IN business; Others, means to transport them
selves aud families to South America; TO
obtain or finish an education; TO pay debts
etc. etc. Sons and daughters OF aged iufirm
parents, clergymen whose salaries were Ia
adequate for their wants, wives whose hus-
names could not or would not support their
families, invaiids who needed a few moatas
sojonrn In a more favorable climate 10 res ore
mem 10 health, all with the same child ke
f6lth looked for relief 10 the diamond
King feeling confident that the trifie they
a. ked would be promptly granted. Many
incloSed postage stamps for return postage
offers sent their photographs. only 10 have
the clerks who returned the letters wonder
al the credulity OF the writers aud wish they
could give them the wholesome advice OF
placing more faith in their own efforts than
in the liberality of others.