The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-06-24
The Duke 8 Protege.
what Persisteney AeeornpIi.hea

1t was during the reign of George III.
somewhere about the middle of his ex-
/ tended royal career-and a closely-con-
tested and exciting election was Just
closing in Sussex. The Duke of New
castle, whose interest in the contest was
deep and feryid. tarrying for a brief
| space In Lewes, had his attention called
to sturdy voter. whose political zeal
pleased him. In fact, so exciting was
the duke. and so entirely had he become
| captivated by the honest yeeman's eff
fective work at the polls, that he grasp
ed him by the hand with gushing
warmth. declaring that he had gained
his lasting friendship; and. while the
poor man stood confounded, unable to
fifty answer the august nobleman's
hearty hail. his grace continued In the
same impulsive manner:
Tell me, my good friend. what can
do for you? Name the reward that
shall be yours for this days work
What shall it beP''
The earnest voter had by this time re-
gained his breath, and his answer was
speedily forthcoming:
May It please your grace, the chief
exciseman in this town is very old, and
very feeble. He can live but short
time longer, at best. would humbly
ask that, when he shall die, may be
appointed in his place"
upon my life" cried the duke, 1T
shall be done. Let him go, sooner or
later. you, my worthy eompatliot, shall
I'LL his place. As soon as this ancient
exciseman shall be dead. do you set
forth to give me the information Be
it night or be it day--be sleeping or
waking-you may insist upon seeing
me. If am not at Claremont, | may
be at Lincoln's Inn Fields; if You do
not find me at Lincoln's Inn Fields,
come to court. In shert-find me.
Should be talking state secrets to the
king, you shall not be kept from me-
My dear, dear friend, shall feel myself
your debtor until l see you an excise
manr'
The duke went his way, and the hon
est yeoman returned to his home like
one who trod on ats. On his way he
stopped at the house of the ancient ex-
ciseman, where he was tearfully Inform
ed that the aged public functionary was
surely failing. The earnest voter said
he was sorry; and it was proper that he
should say so.
The days sped on-noe many of them
and the old exciseman was gathered
to his fathers. The dukes protege of
the polling place quickly heard OF the
demise, and having received the great
mans promise as law and gospel. he
set off forthwith TO find hts noble PATRON
and secure the promised office. He re-
membered exactly the dukes directions4
Claremont, Lincoln's Inn Fields. the
court, etc, and he was determined not
to fail through want of energetic effort.
He traced his Grace of Newcastle to tho
chambers in Lincoln's Inn Fields,
where he arrived, and boldly made APP
plication for admittance at two o. clock
in the morning.
Now it SO Glanced about this time
startling rumor had reached England
that the King of Spain lCharles Ill
was sick nigh unto death. and that he
was liable to drop away at any time.
The Duke of Newcastle. deeply involv-
ed in the affairs of the court, was pain
fully anxious. He dispatched swift
couriers by sea and by land to Madrid.
that upon the arrival of the news of the |
death of his Catholic NJ. iesty, the mes |
senger should be admitted To his pres |
ence, no matter what the hour. And |
thus it was when our sturdy Sussex yeo-
man arrived at the dukes door.
al have the dukes own order to GOMEZ
to him al any hour, either by night or
day" said the applicant to the officer
at the door.
"Ay," responded the latter, unhesi-
tatingly. I'VE have his grace's orders |
to that effect. Has the death occur
redP'' !
Yes. You wouldn't have seen me
here, If it hadn't"
The man was conducted at once to
the duke,s chamber, where n page in |
waiting admitted him. lie rs. iis |
noble patron, aroused by the usual |
noise, sitting up in his bed. in his night
zap.
'.Ah! your grace" cried the yeoman,
advancing and kneeling at the side of
The bed, '.he's dead at length"
Thank Heaven i have the news Sc
calculated the duke, fervent-
y. when did he dieP'' x
ION the morning of the day before
yesterday, my lord
BLESS mel So lately as thatp Why,
you must have had wings. And now
ell me, my good man, how. shall I re-
ward your
The suppliant arose from his knees,
and stood 18th bcnt heal and folded
hands.
20, your sgraee, all in the world ask
s that you shall remember your prom
sc, and appoint me TO succeed him.
What! You! Appoint you King of
Spaini Mercy on voui are you -
But BY this time the a-toni8hed duke
lad caught II full and fair view of the
.ongh, honest face, ;tlld he remembered
ais electioneering friend oil Lewes. New
.astle's first impulse WAS of chagr3n
most bitter. and of accompany ing |
wrath; butt when he had collected his
thoughts, and the first sharp pang had
rome, his mirtlfulhess was aroused, and
ne forgaye the wtll-neaninI man the
he had caused him
not only forraye himo but sent him
oack home happy and proud. having
made him an exciseInan.