The age-herald., 1897-08-19
ETCHINGS FROM
 CURRENT TOPICS

The two young duellists, Count of Turin and Prince Henry of Orleans. who have afforded two continents much diversion l by their harmless encounter. are typical representatives of the royal families of Europe. Both men are in the full flush of robust manhood; Prince Henry is thirty years of age, and the Count of Turin twen- ty-seven. There is scarcely any percepti- ble difference in their physical develop ment, and both are accomplished swords men. Prince Henry was born and reared in England and, like his royal opponent is thoroughly trained athlete, self-reliant, and aggressive. The Count Of Turin, known to his associates as Prince Victor inherited from his father the late Duke Amedeo of Aosta, love of outdoor sports and a de- 1 sire to excel in physical training. and de- veolpment. Prince Victor, who is a nephew l of King Humbert, of Italy, was born in 1 Turin, and has been for years in the Italian army. He is now field officer, and as | such is compelled to devote several hours each day to sword practice. He is im- mensely popular with the Italians, both 1 military and civilian and his prompt re- sentiment of Prince Henry's reflections upon the army of Italy, and his subsequent tri- umph have added to the affection, and ad- miraton of the people for the dashing young officer.
 1 Prince Victor has had his romance, after l the manner of popular young officers, though he has never married He had the unhappiness to fall hopeless in love with his pretty cousin. Letitia, the widow of "Plon- Plon," but unfortunately his elder brother, l the present Duke of Aosta, was infatuated with the same young woman. Before they l had decided between them, which should woo and wed Letitia, they discovered to their dismay, that their father, then a widower. was fascinated with the charm ing Letitia also. and with greater experi- ence and higher rank and fortune in his favor he bore off the prize and married her. After the death of their father, the brothers lwsre ordered to remain away from their home, as much as possible, by l the government. After four years of wid- owhood Letitia married third time, and the elder brother of Prince Victor found 1 consolation for his unrequited affection in |
 batchelor. handsome, popular, rich and attractive, with his charms increased by the addition of a celebrated. but harm less duel.
 Prince Henry, of Orleans is not soldier, he was denied the privilege of joining the French army because of his royal blood. He is descendant of Louis Philippe. the last of the French kings. He has devoted much time to travel, and explanations, es- pecially in the Chinese provinces. He has angered some of his relatives by acknowl- 1 edging the French republic. and has been l discussed as a possible candidate for pres I ident.
 Prince Henry has not always lived a cir eumspect life; he has been at times reck- l less and extravagant and in 1895 his father asked to have a trustee appointed for him.
 which was done. He Is young man of some fine qualities, though evidently the | inferior in many respects of the young Italian, Prince Victor, Count of Turin. Vassar college, that exclusive, aristo- cratic school for young ladies, is aroused l from centre to circumference by the discov- cry that one of the graduating class this year is a negro girl, who had gone through the entire four years course without hay ing her secret discovered, by either the fac- ulty or her schoolrnates, until just before | commencemene day. This girl of course, was an octoroon, and for more than three | years at Vassar she was regarded as a "beautiful brunette.'' Her brother visited 1 her during her school form, hi | plexion closely resembled hers She told fairy-like stories of the wealth of her fam fly; her handsome home, and the luxury in which sine lived. This excited the curiosity of her roommate. who induced her father to make certain inquiries. This was the
 beginning of the young octoroon's trouble.
 The investigations proved she was gifted
 with Dumas-like imagination, and that her family were simply respectable negroes.
 The roommate deserted her at once and
 very soon the girls secret was knowr, l among the hundreds of students The fac ulty could not ignore the excitement and the
 octoroon was summoned to appear before
 them She told the true story of her life,
 in despair and humiliation explained that charitable woman of wealth was educat- l ing her, and threw herself upon the mercy | Of her teachers. As 1t was only few i days before the college would close and the l girl graduate, she was permitted to remain 1 and receive her diploma This she did and 1 there were very few in the great audience who witnessed the graduation of the class of 'T, who imagined that one of that class
 was negro girl. Yassar and its friends l are now very much excited over the affair
 and are as bitterly opposed to social or ed
 ucational equality, when it comes home
 to them, as are the people Of the south. i Everything depends upon one point of view
 so it seems, and human nature is very
 much alike in every geographical section. | BALL.