The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-07
nae sAoR1FIoG or a DUKE.
Career of the Son OF Die Woalthlest Gonon
N0blemRu.

Career OF the Son OF the Wcalthlest Genon
NoblemRn.
The reported death Of Duke Gaetano
di Ferrari Mt Padua, Italy-it happily
proved to be untrue-recaIls career
full of unusual incidents. Gaetano was
the son of the late duke of Gaitiera, a
rich nobIeman Of Genoa, who increased
an immense inheritance from long
line Of famous ancestors by speculations
which were denounced as robbery. The
son, n young man OF fine appearance, a
graduate OF one OF the best Italian uni
yersities, condemned unreserved!y the
means adopted by his father to increase
the family fortune. So strong was his
Indignation that, upon attaining his
majority, he left the magnificent home
OF his parents and the certainty OF q
brilliant career in the army or diplo-
matte world and set out to make his for
tune. He went to Paris, and there be-
came g tutor Of mathematics, for which
his training had prepared him, and
lived modestly but honestly on a small
income.
The old duke was greatly affected by
the desertion of his only son and heir,
and endeavored in every way to bring
about reconciliation. In the hope OF
inducing his son to return he became
one OF tho greatest benefactors that
Genoa has ever known. He gave co.
100000 lire to the city to perfect the
great harbor, and more than 100000
lire to charitable institutions OF his ma
tive city. No one in all the neigh
borhood appealed to him in vain for
aid. People began to sound his praises
and forget his former iniquities. But
the son remained obdurate, and the
father went TO his grave without seeing
his face again.
Young Gaetno declined to lay claim
to the immense fortuneto which hehad
fallen heir, and continued to follow his
comparatively humble calling in the
French capital. But a change at last
came over hmm. Owing to his name he
was admitted to the highest society OF
Paris, and the atmosphere OF romance
surrounding him, added to his accom-
plishments, made him hero of the sa-
Ions which he visited. Young men who
preferred to live in poverty to accept
ing one OF tho largest fortunes in Italy
were rare indeed. But among the peo-
pie he met was Russian princess, rich,
beautiful, and possessing all the attrac.
tons of the high-class Tartar. He fell
in love with her, and, to please her,
laid claim to the parental millions. He
had renowned his name and title,
however, and declined to bear either
again, knowing that while hundreds
blessed his dead father, thousands
cursed him for the ruin which no had
brought them. Through his tiancee the
emperor.of Russia learned Of his sacri-
fee and created him Duke di Ferrari, q
title equal in rank to that which he had
given up. The marriage took place
but it proved to DO unhappy. After
three years the couple decided to live
apart. Tho marriage had been child
less. The duchess purchased the group
OF islands opposite Maderno, formerly
known as Isola del Frati, christened it
Isola Ferrari, and erected there q mag
nifcent palaceand gardens. There che
passed all hor time, devoting her money
10 relieving the poor and ministering to
the sick. Among the inhabitants she
is known as the Santa Donna" Once
each year, but only for a few hours, tho
duke pays her a visit Otherwise they
live their lives apart.
The dHke spends much OF his time in
Padua and Rome, caring little for
Genoa, aud uses his fortune in aiding
his less fortunate fellows. lie has one
hobby-the collection OF postage
atamps-and his collection is said by
many experts to be the finest in
Europe. The poor people Of Palua are
happy in the knowledge that their
benefactor is still alive.