The morning news., 1891-02-20
A Remarkable Woman.

The Countess Isabella Sclopis, whose death in
Turin is announced, was in many respects a
remarkable woman, says the Chicago Nelcs.
She was of a fine old Italian family and in her
youth was considered a great beauty. Count
Sclopis, her husband, belonged to the most ex-
elusive set IN Turin-a set composed OF mem
bers OF vastly more noble lineage than that of
many of the monarchs now reigning in Europe.
The count was an exceptionally able man, and
he made it his boast that his wife afforded him
the greatest assistance in the prosecution of his
work as diplomat. The countess was one of
the most engaging women in the world; her
amabilty, her gayety and her intelligence kept
her surrounded with admirers wheresoever she
went, yet she did not suffer her social avoca-
tons to interfere with her duties as the adviser
and helpmate Of her husband.
At the time Of the adiustmustment of the Ala
bama question at Geneva Count Sclopis served
as Que of the arbitrators between Eng and and
the United States, and after that important
event England sought through her agent to as
certain the expense to which the count must
have been put in the employment of secretaries
sitting of the commission. 81 will introduce
yoG to my secretary, for have but one, 3" said
the count and forthwith he presented his wife.
The lady, In addition to discharging the social
doties devolving upon her. had found time to do,
night by night the immense amount of writing
required in posting the books, off we may en-
ploy that tern), OF the commission. 1t was
prodlglous accomplishment, and great was the
marvel when the story became public But the
countess declined every offer Of reward for her
services.
Determined, however, to make some recog-
milton OF those services, the United States sub
sequently sent to the countess a magnificent
silver loving cup, appropriately inscribed, and
EngIands g gift was massive silver tea service,
with the inscription: Presented by the En-
gllsh government to Count Sclopis' secretary
as mark of gratitude for the services re-
ceived." The elegant souvenirs the countess
priced more highly than any of the other beau
iful things with which her splendid home in
Turin was provided.
Another grand lady whose death is announced
was the Duchess or Malakoff AS a girl she
was the intimate friend of the Empress Eugene
in fact, the empress and she were, as we recol-
lect, near akin. Walking in the palace of the
garden one day, who should heave in sight but
Marshal Malskoff. notoriously the toughest and
rudest man in all the French service.
"Ough! there is that bear again. quoth the
empress, with shudder of genuine horror; but
her young companion said nothing.
The marshal, approaching and bowling to the
ladies', besought the younger one to honor him
with the rose he had Just plucked.
Certainly, will givo It to you," answered
the girl. sweetly; ''but how can a rose please
you, who live only for laurels?'
This answer completely staggered the mar
shal; in another moment he was hopelessly
and wildly 10 love with that girl, and
it is 10 his credit that he prosecuted
the campaign so diligently that a year
later the beautiful young creature
became his wife. Speaking Of the epi-
sode in the garden, Malakof used to say: Il
thought was hard to conquer, but in that case,
parbleul / surrendered at the very first tire!"