The Washington weekly post., 1899-10-03

! when Cyrano de Bergerac was the
/ rage last winter, a good many people
/ were Of the opinion that such a character
as his was impossible Yet we do not
/ have 10 go to France TO find one that wa:
/ his counterpart in almost every respect
L do not refer to a mere swashbuckIer.
mean man who had a learning. culture
I and refinement, and who was as skillfu
with the sword as he was ready of intel.
J Iect"
/ Ihe speaker was William MOrancy. OF
I New orleans, who is making a brief stay
in the city. Mr.. Morancy has been a most
confirmed globe trOtter and his nara
tiyes OF adventure and fund Of remin isence
make him one of the most entertaining OF
men.
You have. perhaps. never heard of Dor
Arturo PachecO. the d'Artagnan, or the
Admirable CrichtOn Of Mexico" continued
Mr. Morancy. He existed, nevertheless
although his adventures have never been
printed IN full, and in spite of the fact
that his fame has been kept alive mainly
by word of mouth. The younger genera
! tlon ignores him, but it takes an old-timer
10 tell about this last of the swashbuck-
lers
Don Arturo was one of the principal
henchmen of Augustin Iturbide. He was
his comrade in the camp and in the court
and when his beloved chief was torn from
MS throne and hurled into exile, the
faithful Don Arturo followed him soon
atter, refusing to remain in the country
which had been so ungrateful to his friend
and patron.
THE antecedents Of Don Arturo were
excellent His father was Don Eusebio
Paeheco. needy Spanish gentleman of a
good Pampeluna family, who had arrived
IN Mexico, about 1888, in search of a bet-
terment OF fortune. After a hard struggle
the Spaniard got into the good graces of
the viceroy and was appointed to a good
post IN the directorate Of mines. Shortly
afterward, he married Dona Elena Valdes
lady OF Oaxaca, who brought him ample
lnnuence and affiuence The coupIe had
Two children, son and a daughter Young
arturo grew up to be the most brilliant
young man In Mexico while his sister
Leonor who was that fafrest of Gods
creatures-a Spanish blonde-was called
the Lily of Valladelid. as Morelia. the
city OF their residence, was then named.
hahdsone and Talented,
Don Arturo seems to have been we'll
nigh as accomplished as the "Admirs HE
Crichton," of Scotland He was tall and
supple; his great muscular strength he
ing veiled by the beautiful modelling Of
his form. A superb complexion. with
large dark blue eyes, and curling chest
nut hair, were among the physical at
fractions which distinguished him. In
character, he was subtle melange of
warrior, artist and student. He was said
To have but one equal at chess. few in
love, and none in swordplay. Great skill
IN music, horsemanship, and horticulture.
showed the diversity of his other talents.
Upon his fathers side of the house he
inherited the blood of that strange peo-
pie, the Basques, and from the mother.
it was hintad that he had more than a
few drops of the blood of the Mayas.
that equally weird race of Yucatan.
Don Arturo's talents, and the extrava-
CANT exploits along the line of fighting.
loVe-making, and drinking, which he be-
gan TO perform as soon as lie emerged
from college, even reached the ears of
the Yiceroy, who requested that the youth
should be presented at court. The viceroy,
Ike all others, was charmed. His van
ity was immensely tickled by the fact
that Arturo had artfully permitted him
tO beat him at chess.
The young cavalier was speedily made
a captain in the army, and was then de-
tached on special court service. His favor
with the viceroy waxed hugely, who show
cred benefits Upon him. When the old
F:ceroy went out and new one came in,
Don Arturo'S favor did not wane. but
Kept on the increase. 1t is right here
that the most striking period of his life
begins. He was finally appointed to per-
form certain mission to the King of
Spain. While abroad he passed through
many brilliant adventures, and made the
grand tour of Europe. At Milan, he post
ed challenge in all the principal places.
agreeing to meet all comers in friendly
or mortal combat, with foil, rapier, saber,
or pistol. There was no lack Of adVer-
saries.
yanquished All Corners.
''In spite of Don Arturo's reputation,
which had preceded him, his challenge
might have been regarded as a presump-
tuous boast, had ne not placed the sum
of 5000 pesos in the hands of a prominent
Milanese noble, as forfeit in case he
did not justify his challenge. Tie goodly
sum attracted swarms of skillful, but i'm
pecunioUs swordsmen from all North
Italy, and even from the neighboring
parts of France and Austria. Don Ar
tLro held the lists for the better part II
a week, and was victorious in every III
stance. He utterly discomited no less
than nineteen masters Of the shining
steel; many men OF wide reputation be-
ing among the number. He also demon
strated his peerless skill in the handling
of firearms, and in the management OF
horse and lance. From Milan he went
10 Florence, where he devoted himself
to gambling in terrific style His luck
was tremendous, and II is said that he
no less than a half dozen of
the F1orentine gentry.
''At Rome he appeared in a new role.
His command of the principal languages
Of Europe, including Arabic, Latin, Greek,
Hebrew, and Persian, attracted the atten-
ton of the master linguist, the great Car
Einal Mezzofanu. who introduced him TO
all the learned Of Rome. He also Iectured
On archaeology, history, and metaphysics,
and held disputations on theology IN some
Of the colleges. His wonderful oratory.
his wide learning, and his sound cathO-
lefty provoked the awe and admiration OF
all. He was presented 10 the Pope, and
made great impression upon him. The
Holy Father Is reported 10 have beseech- /
ed Don Arturo TO forsake the world for
the priesthood, adding that such talents
and principles were fit for cardinalate.
Disastrous Love Affair.
AT Naples, he devoted himself to love-
making and politics AZ first he was bril-
iantly successful. but disaster overlook
him in the practice Of both these pursuits
beautiful young matron of the high no !
Diiity. with whom he had a tender affair. |
sas 50 indiscFeet in her passion for Don /
Arturo. who was the pink Of outward pro- !
priety where woman's reputation was 1
concerned; that her husband, who was a 1
nan Of furious temper. resolved on ven |
sesnce The fair but frail dame was for |
,ibly conveyed 10 a lonely castle OF her /
husbands situated in CaIabrla. and was
here immured from all human society 4
ave that Of her keeper. an old and ruff /