The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-07-20
The Duke S Protege.
What Persistener Accomplished.

What Persistency Accomplished
1t was during the reign of George Ill,
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 fervid, 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 yeoman's eff
feetiye 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 youP Name the reward that
shall be yours for this days work.
What shall it be?''
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, l may be
appointed in his place"
Upon my life" cried the duke, sit
shall be done. Let him 90, sooner or
later, you, my worthy compatrict, shall
fill 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 10 court. In short-find me.
Should be talking state secrets to the
king, you shall not be kept from me.
Nv dear, dear friend, | shall feel myself
your debtor until l see you an excise
manr'
The duke went his way, and the hon.
est woman returned to his home like
one who trod on air. 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 oI-pot 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 his noble patron,
and secure the promised office. He res
membered exactly the dukes directions:
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 the
chambers in Lincoln's Inn Fields,
where he arrived, and boldly made ap-
plication for admittance at two O. oclock
in the morning.
Now it so chanced about this time
that the King of Spain (Charles III.)
was sick nigh unto death, and that he
was liable to drop away at any time.
The Duke of Newcastle, deeply involv-
cd in the affairs of the court, WAS pain
fully anxious. He dispatched swift
eouriers by sea and by land to Madrid,
and to his attendants he gave orders
that upon the arrival of the news Of the
death of his Catholic Majesty, 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.
Il have the dukes own order to come
to him at 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
red?'
Eyes. You wouldn't have seen nae
here, if it hadn't"
The man was conducted at once to
the dukes chamber, where page in
waiting admitted him. He found his
noble patron, aroused by the usual
noise, sitting up in his bed, in his night
cap.
s'Ah! your grace" cried the yeoman,
advancing and kneeling at the side of
the bed, ''he's dead at length
''Thank Heaven | have the news so
oromptlyw calculated the duke, fervent-
ly. '.When did he die?"
''On the morning of the day before
yesterday, my lord,'
'sRless me! SO lately as that? Why,
you must have had wings. And now
tell me, my good man, how shall | re-
ward you?"
The suppliant arose from his knees,
and stood with bent head and folded
hands.
80, your grace, all in the world l ask
is that you shall remember your prom
ise, and appoint me to succeed him"
What! You! Appoint you King of
Spain! Mercy on you! are you"
But by this time the astonished duke
had caught full and fair view OF the
rongh, honest face, and he remembered
his eleetioneering friend of Lewes, New
castles first impulse was of ohagrin
most bitter, and Of accompanying
wrath; but when he had collected his
thoughts, and the first sharp pang had
gone, his mirthfulness was aroused, and
he forgave the well-meaning man the
disappointment he had caused him
not only forgave him, but sent him
back home happy and proud, having
made him an excisemsR "