The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-27
MKENNA MADE A PADRINO.
GODFATHER TO n DAUGHTER OF
III HOUSE OF VICUHIO,

IuA WV 'ASOOAVs
-
u.ts Boiled Ergs. Cake, Peanuts. ana WATER
melon, and washes Them Down With Ola
Muscatol, Thereby CorrnilinG for sure the
italian vote for Councilman in isis District.
When the time arrives for an italian baby to
be chrlstened its parapts cast around for u suit
able godfather. With an italian tho selection
of a godfather 10 . serious matter. Tho man
chosen will always be more TO the baby than any
other living person except Its father and mother,
and his name will always be sacred In the FAM
ily to which the baby belongs. As the baby
grows up It is taught to revere the godfather as
It does Its own parents, and to sock his advice
where It's own mind Is In doubt. As for the god.
father, he must DO as thoughtful of the baby as
tho baby is Of him, and, consequently, the POI
sition is one Of great care and responsibility.
Nevertheless in Italy It Ia ali honor much sought,
and the newly made godfather struts about as
proudly as the pater OF his proteg6.
All Of which things and many moro were
brought to the attention Of Mr.. John ]. Nc
Kouna last week when a delegation from tho
homo Of vlcchio, headed by r~asquAle Vic
chic himself. called at the McKennn resi-
dence, 29s East Broadway. to find out whether
he would consent to BIO godfather at tho christ
ening Of tho latest addition to the house, Marie.
daughter Of Pasquale's daughter Anna, and her
husband. Nick Stratico.
Mr.. McKenna weighed the matter carefully.
He has stood the storm OF east-sido politics for
many years; he has boon at the top of tho pile
and at tho bottom; he has been elected and do
foated times without number; yet he felt that
he was too young and inexperienced to stand
sponsor for little Miss Stratico. He sent the
delegates away with q promise OF an early do
oision, and then sat down TO think 1t over. A
panorama of Mr.. Mckenna's thoughts would DO
interesting. A few Of them were recollections of
last election, when, as Tammany's candi-
date for Assembly In tho Fourth district,
no was bowled over By . Republican opponent.
A few others were thoughts of The coming cleo
ton. In which he hopes to be the Wigwam's cam
didAte for Councilman from the same locality.
The house Of vicohio wields q mighty influence
among tho Italians, Old P~asquale's remark,
Tho padrino Is sacred In tho family to which
the baby belongs" had q significance that the Nc
Kenna mind could scarcely fail to appreciate.
Mr.. McKcnna decided to be padrino, godfather,
or any other old thing to little Mics Stratico
and sent word to that effect to the head OF the
house the next day.
There were high jinks In the Vicchio home. on
the second floor of loI Bayard street. last night.
Tho rooms were ablazo with lights. and In the
front was o collation. OF formidable proportions.
The Straticos wero there with little baby Stra-
tlCO, u hcEOluC VI II CNSulhh' ~ NcIo u
Ailesios, the Faraatos. and representatives of u
dozen other branches Of tho house Of Vicchio.
Old PasQuale, beaming like a happy schoolboy,
foated around among the guests, filling glasses
with the rich old muscatel which comes out only
on rare occasions, and speaking continually OF
the homer which was coming to tho house
through the connection Of Mr. Mtkenna as
Padrino. Mr.. ylochio would have 1t that the
event was of international. Importance. and the
l ntNAata n nnRztlnn pAAIllAlnA nfO
ment. agreed that IL must be.
Into the midst OF the merrymakiug came M.
house Of vicchiS. and every mom6cr jumped 70
HIS feet. Mr.. MoKcnna smiled. chucked the
baby under the chin, ana sat down. II was VIZ
tunlly the opening OF the campaign. and II was
certainly an suspicious beginning.
"A handsome baby; really q very handsome
baby" he SAID. as he munchcd the peanuts Old
Pasquale put before him.
A lump Of w1termslon. placed before him by
ward for this praise of the tGby:. There was
nothing TO do but eat. and Mr.. Mekenna began
am proud 10 be the godfather OF the little
1T Yves SO good of you to ask, mo. and really
Mrs. Allesio had placed a dish Of hard, boiled
eggs before tho guest. She ia the hAby's aunt
her 1nrewsrded. Mr. Mckenna ato two Of the
eggs and then went back TO the watermelon;
church. Old pasqualo wanted To call Il coach.
II Ii a who.c bIotR away, he SAID.
This was Mr.. Mukeuna's chance for the 8ppli,
cation Of diplomacy. He stood UP. raised his
left h and in the air and smotc his heart with hi
right.
don't need a coach
n man Ike Mckcnna. Nothing proud abou,
him; no. indeed.
The family stay at home when an Italian baby
10 christened. Only the godfather, the god
mother and one male relative go TO the church
with tie baby; The ncTty last night was mad,
Vicchio. Mrs. Allesio carried tho baby with
one arm and chung on to Padrino McKenna with
the other.
At the Church OF the TRANSPORTATION IN Mot
street Father Ferctti WAS waiting for the party
He placed the baby In Mr.; Mckenna's arms anc
tho ceremony went on. Little Miss Stra;ico wal
duly christened Marie, AMI the responsibilities %
the Job he had undertaken were mtde known
to the godfather. Mr.. Nick emma said Goo
goo" to the baby and tho baby said GOO. 900 Il
was admirable all through the ordeal, much t
the relief Of the Padrino, who had feared man!
things.
There was merrymakinE up to a late hour a
the Bayard street house. Mr.. MCkcnna re
guned his nourishing diet. made a speech, ant
bis popularity. Altogether he made himscl
very cold with the powerful house OF vicchi'
and boosted the Mckenna stock several points
There can DO no quesl ion as TO which way thu
italian vote will go II Mr.. Mchcnnl does ge
the nomination for Councilman. As u Renuin'
Padrino he has acquired IA prestige In Littl'
Italy that q dozen stump speakers and unlim
: fled campaign funds wouldn't have given him
He went home quite satisfied with himself.
EMINENT NEW IORK MEN ILL.