The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1891-05-14
THE DUKES CHOICE.
One of Opie T.. Reads Charming Short
kOmaOceS.

estate. The Duke was celebrated for
the gentleness of his nature, and the
kindness of his heart; and it was agreed
that he who could fill all the require
ments of the advertisement should re-
gard himself as fortunate man. On
the day on which all applicants were to
assemble at the castle. the Duke sent
word that they should meet under .
to await his coming. Twenty men,
some of acknowledged learning, and all
of well-known ability, assembled under
the tree. Each man appeared eager to
urge his own fitness for the coveted
position.
What can YOU expect?" a wise man
asked of one Lorenzo Padri, stone
cutter. you are a man of neither
learning nor business qualifications,
since you have spent your life in merely
chipping stone
$50 did the great sculptors," Padri
answered.
"Come, we will have none of your
low-born insolence, for even though
you should observe your strictcst and
most respectful behavior, your pre-
sumption in coming here would warrant
us in severely chastising you
Il mean no disrespect," said Padri.
The Duke wants man capable of con-
ducting the affairs of his estate. and l
humbly believe that I am competent to
discharge that duty"
"Ah," exclaimed the wise man, but
can humbleness lift its lowly glance to
SO lofty an aspiration? You will tell us
next that true modesty is wont to as
sumo the guise of the bawd, /"
He broke off thus, abruptly, to inquire
the cause of sudden commotion amoug
tn other applicants; and, turning
about, he beheld beautiful little girl,
standing half confusedly in the path
that ran near the tree. The child was
dressed in gold-embroidered silk, and
in her hand she held bouquet of rarest
flowers.
Can any of you tell me" she sweetly
asked, "how far it is to the Kings high
way? My carriage is there waiting for
me. / wanted to walk across the fields
and through the woods, but have lost
my way
The child was soon surrounded by
the admiring men. They not only
pointed ont to her the Kings highway.
but heaped compliments upon her.
When she had gone, the wise man who
had taken otfense at the stone-cutter.
again bestowed attention upon the
artisan.
How is it" he asked that you paid
no attention to the beautiful child
Have you not thus shown the grossness
of your nature? Can you longer at
tempt to associate with refined men, or
dare compete with them for prize?"
Padri. instead of answering. turned
toward the path. Another child had
maze her appearance, but she was
dressed in soiled and torn frock and
carried tin pail. There was no COM
motion among the applicants.
Can any of you tell me-" the child
sorrowfully asked, where the brick
yard is? My father is at work there
and must take his dinner to him.
The refined men knew not where the
brick-yard was, and neither of them ap-
peared to regret that lack of knowledge.
But Padri knew, and gladly did he tell
her. Not only this, he insisted upon
going with her to show her the way
She bashfully protested, but taking
her bucket, he kindly bade her come
along.
He has found his level said the
wise man. Il don't think that he will
come back
But he did come back, seeming to be
more cheerful from having shown kind
ness to the peasant girl. Again the
wise man essayed TO upbraid him, but
Just then another connection arose
The Duke was coming. The applicants
bowed low when the great man came
dared look up.
Lorenzo Padri." said the Duke. you
hardly noticed beautiful child that
came along the path. Come, do not
prevaricate for was watching through
field glass.
My Lord, did not pay any atteu-
ton to her, for know that her beauty,
her wealth and her rank wonld draw a
surfeit of services"
"Ah," said the Duke, and a few mo-
ments later you were eager to assist a
ragged peasant child
Yes. my Lord, for knew that there
was no other ear so humble as to hear
her plea"
Lorenzo Padri. it is we'll; want a
kind-hearted man to manage my estate
Bid those wise and proud men gooI-
bye, and come with me"
Sometime afterward, an oldr man,
speaking to Padri, said:
Your kindness of heart has surely
found its reward"
No" said Padri, "but my judgment
has,"
What do you mean by judgment?'
"Oh, I knew that girl business was q
put-up job. My dear sir. the secret of
success is not kindness nor honesty,
but shrewdness. .'--4rkdhs0rr Trdr-
eler.