Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-04
THE PHILANTHROPIST.

Nearly everybody in Naples knew the
condescending and benevolent old Duke,
San Diodata, and nearly everybody loved
him.
How nimbly he tripped through the
Chiaia, his little feet encased in patent
leather boots that creaked and cracked
under the weight of his embonpoint, his
hat in his hand, his red face shining from
the heat and from the unusual walk. He
found it difficult to return all the bows
which were showered upon him.
1t was getting dark; the people of
fashion were returning from their prone
made on the quay of the Via Carraccioli.
Beautiful women, carelessly reclining on
the cushions of their carriages, bold mill
tary officers, elegant horseback riders,
graceful amazons, perfumed dandies-all
of them greeted the Duke with marked
attention. Similarly, the merry crowds
of common people that were noisily wend-
ing their way homewards-every one
from the neat little millinery girl, to the
ragged apprentice boy, from the stout wife
of the shopkeeper to the half naked street
urchin, looked at him and recognized him
as an old friend.
Every one received the same pleasant
and benevolent smile, with this difference,
however, that in response to nod from
out of the cushions of a carriage, the Duke
condescended to bow, while on other occa-
sions he considered familiar nod, mo-
4, of of
sparkling eyes as sufficient.
The Duke was in an unusual hurry. A
magnificent dinner was to take place that
evening at Irisio's, in which all the polit-
ical and social dignitaries of the city were
to participate. 1t was almost necessary
that the noble philanthropist, the darling
of the people of Naples, should be present
on that occasion.
His valet, dress coat decorated with
three badges and low-cut silk waistcoat
over his arm, awaited him at home.
"Eccellenza, it is high timer
The Duchess, stately lady OF about the
age of so years, made her appearance on
the threshold of the Sototttno
"You are late, my dear"
He kissed her hand politely and then
asked the valet:
"Any people waiting for me?"
ayes, Signore Duca Shall send them
away ?"
"By no means p
"But your toilet, Eccellenza-"
"You will surely be late, mon ami !" the
Duchess remarked. She preferred to use
the French language in the presence OF
servants.
"Was the Duke of San Diodata ever
known to be late when good dinner or the
welfare of his Neapolitan friends were con-
cerned ~ said the old gentleman, laugh
| ingly, and turned 10 the audience room.
But the Duchess held him by the arm,
the valet Withdrawing respectfully.
"Cher Duel The Princess of Montele-
ones reception is at hand | cannot possibly
appear in the same robe for the fourth
time"
"You can not? Have it changed trife,
my dear. You have an excellent taste in
such things and always look eiegant-al-
ways beautiful"
"Flatterer !" replied the Duchess, smil-
ing without affectation. "But this time |
am at the end of my resources. must
have money"
"The same with me, my child You
cannot find soldo in my pockets. gave
the last / had to a beggar in the Villa
Nazionale."
"Then only one way Is left for me: l
will have to use sick headache for a pre-
text"
Bah This is a small matter! For
what purpose do you keep dressmaker ?"
"There are three robes charged on last
years account"
''That leaves room for fourth"
Saying this he withdrew to the audience
room. A half dozen people crowded around
him.
"Signore Duca-my son p
'Eccellenza-peT pieta F'
"Monsignore-have PITY
"Addgio-adGgio, my children inter
rupted the Duke kindly, taking seat and
wiping his bald crown with silk hend-
kerchief. every one in due order Who
was here first ?"
81, Signore Ducaw
An old man in a peasants jacket, his
legs wound in goat skins, stepped forward
N STOPPING attitude.
"From the country, my dear old
friendD
''Sissignore, Eccellenzaw
"What troubles you %
"Ah, Ecceilenza, Signore Duca The
King has drafted my son, my only son,
into the army to send him into Africa, to
have him murdered by the Abyssinians I"
"Ohw
"Eccellenza. Signore Duca when my
Peppe is gone, must starve, poor cripple
that | am | and my three orphaned
grandchildren"
That the King would regret very
much p The corners of the good old
Dukes mouth twitched with emotion, but
he tried to preserve his dignity. inquiring
harshly for the station, age and name Of
the applicant and zealously jotting them
down in his notebook. After a little
while, he motioned pleasantly with his
hand:
"Addio, my old friendl You shall keep
your son and you shall have better opin-
ion of our most gracious King in fut-
ure"
The next in order was a man who had
been employed on a railway and who
asserted that he had lost his situation
without fault on his part. The Duke
promised to obtain a new situation for
him. His word sufficed TO satisfy the
man.
The next to approach WIS neatly clad,
tall young fellow with the genuine face of
the lazzarone.
as that you, Salvatore ?" said the Duke,
Familiarity. "Have you lost your master
again?'
"Eecellenza, my political convictions
have induced me to give warning to my
former pudrone, this Roman, this Carl
baidian-"
as that so? In other words, you have
explored your masters pockets again"
"No! No! Eccellenza w replied the fell
low, with the airs of hurt innocence, but
the cunning of his eyes betrayed how fat
tered he felt at the close conjecture of his
distinguished protector. Il would prefer
to become the cdmeriere of some patriotic
Neapolitan gentleman, to whom [ could
make myself useful during elections with
out oiiense to my own convictions. If Ec-
cellenza would graciously-"
What? You rascal! Ny reoommen-
dation?" exclaimed the Duke, with an ex-
preston of moral wrath on his face, but at
the same time blinking at him kindly.
''Sissignore, Eccellenza.n
"Well Wellr' After a short deliber
alton the Duke tore leaf from his note
book and wrote the following on it:
NJ Dear Count: Knowing that Won are in