Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-12-19
low A,arirr vas turcd-An italian
>tOry.

H. ull - imr~ there Nas Il merchant
q t,ruua Who had made handsome
uf'prr. hui brrau-e of his iirgardl-
lr.- % nom. al E.mino de Grmaldi
was almost forgotten. and men
Aurw hm best a. Ermino the Miser.
\n one IN tina, part If Italy had such
rclcs. Vet NJ one 80 grudged every
pcun, h. was forced TO spend
You MAY b. sure then that he kept his
pnr.c Strings tightly drawn If any ap-
peal Tor charity came his way-indeed,
hc had such II dread of the smallest
nuila, that hc scarce afforded himself
the cumlnpnr-t n"ccSSaries of life.
While. by "A thousand mean ccoao-
mir,. then. Ermino increased his pos
srs ,ion-, he became more and more
di.l kci and despiscd by his acquaint-
nucr. There arrived alter n time at
tcuua a French courier by name
.nuilluumr Boursier. He was of u,,-
right and honorable character, gener-
,u. and a'aric in his dealings. and
with charm NJ manner of address.
Mrn of his rank wee tn " in the
habit - occu'N ing themselves very
much in maxim. rcace when fM-.il;cs
were III, idcd in promoting suitable al
liauc"s. in lnding people together in
the bonds OF friendship. They made it
habit to cultivate Il cheerful manner,
that. ~ they mixed with the world.
they might enlivCn others of more
gloomy ani mnrose nature, and give
new hope 10 those who had lost heart
ard courage under pressure of mis-
fortune.
Guillaumc Boursicr. therefore. was
welcome visitor to Genoa. He was
honnrcd and fctod by men of all condi-
lions. aud thus he irc Iuen,ly had to
ncar of the failincs OF Ermino the
VI SCR. II j. needless to say that no in
vtalion and no courtesy came to the
gallant French gentleman from the av-
= ic Gus merchant, yet Boursier had n
great desire Ia meet with and talk to
him. lie therefore paid an unsought
visit Ia Ermino. who, having at least
kept some remains Of good manners.
~ ciycd his guest politely. Encour
age bv { = favorable beginning,
h"nrs'cr made himself as pleasant as
be could. taking so ably about differ
rni subjects. that at last Ermino took
him and one g.. two others to see fine
new mar>ion he had lately had erected.
">i-." said he. turning to the French
courtier. 'Nou have travelled much and
seen. as II Gems to me, everything
there is To behold. Can you name 20
me one 81. .gle thing which no living
creature has seen. and which | can
have painted for the ornament of my
ban1ueling .hall?"
There appeared to Boursier some
thing So positively absurd in the ,.ues-
tion that he answered it in similar
fashion. IF yol we're to order an art
ist Ia paint YOU a snceze. that certainly
Is n thing which man has not seen nor
ever will see. Seriously. though" he
continued. il you really wish me to
give YOU suggestion. l should say
paint something which l will indicate.
but which. am sure. is not known to
lou.
You will be doing me vast favor"
replied Ermino. Pray tell me what is
tho subject upon which | shall set an
artist 10 work."
"Well. then 4" replied Boursier, ..let
him execute pa nting of liberality."
Erm'no stood in silent shame, for he
comprehendcd the rep oof, and knew
not what TO say in his own extenuatiOn.
Then. with rapid resolve to change
his ways. and become as generous as
other men, he cried: "Sir, I am glad
,ou have given me such an answer.
'Tis true that hitherto have not under
stood what libcrality is; now will have
that virtue so set forth upon my walls
that neither You nor any other person
shall be nb 20 in future to address TO me
like reproach."
II Ia said that from that day Ermino
was n changed man. NO man in Genoa
90 I'd bc mo kind and charitable. no
one was ~ .pen-hearted 10 hospitality
10 strangers: the poor blessed him, the
rich respected him, and his old title of
''mlser' became thing 81 the past
dH he lie ~ Ronad.
- . -