San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-24

all the Company We're seating themselves
in the places assigned to them, a choir
of young fresh voices broke forth
into a Neapolitan "madrigale''-w
as far as | can translate it ran as fol-
lows
"Welcome the festal hour!
Pour the red wine into cups Of gold!
Health to the men who are strong and
bold
Welcome the festal hour!
Waken the echoes with riotous mirth-
Cease to remember the sorrows of earth
In the joys of the festal hour!
Wine is the monarch of laughter and
light,
Death himself shall be merry tonight!
Hail to the festal hour!"-
An enthusiastic clapping of hands re.
warded this effort on the part of the I'M
seen vocalists, and the music having
ceased, conversation became general.
by Heaven!'' exclaimed Ferrari, ''if
this Olympian carouse is meant as well
come to me, AMIGO, all can say is that
do not deserve it. Why,it is more fit for
the welcome Of one king to his neighbor
sovereign"
"Ebbene!" I said. "Are there any
better kings than honest menu Let US
hope we are thus far worthy of each
others esteem"
He flashed bright look Of gratitude
upon me and was silent, listening to the
choice and complimentary phrases ut
tered by the Duke di Marina concerning
the exquisite taste displayed in the ar
raugement of the table.
"You have no doubt travelled much in
the East, Conte," said this nobleman.
''Your banquet reminds me of an ORR
entail romance l once read called
"Vathek."
Exactly" exclaimed Guido; 81 think
Olivia must be Vathek himselfp'
"Scarcely!' l said, smiling coldly. 81
lay no claim to supernatural experiences.
The realities of life are sufficiently won
derful for me-"
Antonio Biscardi, the painter, a re-
fined gentle-featured man, looked to-
wards US and said modestly.
II think you are right, Conte. The
beauties of nature and Of humanity are
so varied and profound that were it not
for the inextinguishable longing after
immortality which has been placed in
every one of us, / think we should be
perfectly satisfied with this world
as it is"
"You speak like an artist and man
of even temperament" broke in the
Marchese Gualdro, who had finished his
soup quickly in order to be able to talk
talking being his chief delight. For
me, | am never contented. | never have
enough of anything. That is my nature.
When see lovely flowers, l wish more
of them,-when | behold fine sunset, l
desire many more such sunsets,-when l
look upon a lovely woman"
"You would have lovely women ad in
finitum!" laughed the French Capitaine
de Hamal? En- yerite, Gualdro, you
should have been Turk!
And why not?' demanded Gualdro
''The Turks are very sensible people
they know how to make coffee better
than we do. And what is more fascinat-
ing than a harem? 1t must be like
fragrant hot house, where one is free to
wander every day, sometimes gathering
a gorgeous lily, sometimes simple VIC
let-sometimeS-"
"a thorn?" suggested Salustri.
"Well, perhaps" laughed the Mar
cheese "Yet one would run the risk of
|
Chevalier Mancini, who wore in his
button hole the decoration of the legion
d'honneur, looked up-he was a thin
man with keen eyes and shrewd face
which, though at first glanCing appear
ing stern, could at the least provocation
break up into thousand little wrinkles
of laughter.
There is undoubtedly something en-
| 81, "A L., oh IN,
his methodica way. 81 have always
fancied that marriage as we arrange it is
a great mistake.
And that is why you have never tried
it?" quered Ferrari, looking amused.
"Certissimamente" and the Chew
alters grim countenanCe began to work
with satirical humor. 81 have resolved
that will never be bound over by the
law to kiss only one woman. AS matters
stand, can kiss them all il like"
shout of merriment and cries OF
'NOh! Obi" greeted this remark, which
Ferrari, however, did not seem inclined
to take in good part
"All?" he said with dubious air.
you mean all except the married
oneS?"
The Chevalier put on his spectacle:
ana surveyed MIN WIFI d soIC vi SolhI'
severity,
''When l said all, l meant all" he re
turned-"the married ones in particular
They, poor things, need such attentions
and often invite them-why not
Their husbands have most likely ceased
to be amorous after the first months o
marriage"
l burst out laughing. "You are right,
| | L.. 70 Ia
husbands are fools enough to continu
, their gallantries they deserve to b
, duped-and they generally are! Come
| amicor' l added, turning to Ferrari
''those are your own sentiments-Yo
| have OftaD declared them tn mo -