The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1899-07-19
DON CARLOS GREAT DANE.
The Royal PretendeF and His Royal
Canine Companion in
Venice.

An American woman in Venice re-
Gently, passing along a narrow side
canal, encountered a private gondola
I approaching, propelled by two very
trim and gay gondoliers, with flowing
sashes and golden crowns embroidered
on their sleeves.
In the gondola were a lady, gentle
man and magnificent big dog. The
dog was so obviously an exceptionally
fine specimen of his kind, the Great
Dane, or German, boarhound, that she
had no delicacy about openly gazing
and exclaiming, since the owners of fine
dogs are seldom averse to having them
admired. But no sooner had the two
gondolas glided closely past one an
other than her own gOndolier leaned
forward, saying excitcdly:
Madame! Madame! 1t is Don Car
los! 1t is the king of Spain!"
Although Don Carlos is not king of
Spain, and she, like all Americans,
wishes we'll to the little frail boy whose
mother is trying so hard TO keep the
Spanish throne upright and steady for
him. the American turned with interest
to look after the Spanish pretender,
whose chances in these tOpsy-turvy
times may Mt any moment brighten,
dim as they usually seem. She could
not help saying to the gondolier as she
did so:
But the dog is more royal than the
master!"
what would you have, madame?"
was the reply. at is true-except that
he is muzzled."
So he was. indeed, like all dogs in
Venice, where one would think the sit
uatiOn more conducive TO the conven-
lent drowning of puppies than to hydro
phobia. There was no danger to any
from the dog; it might perhaps he
otherwise with the royal master, as the
gOndolier's shrug seemed to imply-and
10 imply, too, that royalties were not
safe persons to have about, at best, and
all to apt TO bite OF fight.
Don Carlos, as the same American
was amused to note afterward, went
about in Venice freely. accompanied al
ways by the dog. Wherever the pair
appeared they attracted all eyes-the
first glance being given. If IT were
known who they were. to the preten-
der; but if it were not, Invariably to the
dog.
No better adjunct to royalty could
have been selected than that dogi
Sleek. huge. tawny brown in color, he
stalked majestically by the side of his
master, guarding and dignifying him
wherever he went. The amiable Italian
crowd parted to let the pair go by as
they wandered around the square of
st. Mark at twilight when the band
played and bestowed its interest equal
ly upon both.
Children everywhere paused to stare
at the mighty animal. Once n ragged
Italian tot, with her hair knotted high
on her tiny head, was so fascinated that
she could not get out of the way. Both
don and dog had TO make circuit
around her, while she wheeled slowly
about on her small. wooden heels, as on
pivot, to gaze with open eyes and
mouth. not after the dark-bearded,
somewhat portly man, who carried him
self so well. and who might pass for
prosperous business man of her own
country-but after his dog, his terrify-
ing but beautiful big dog!
The study of appearances is a great
part of the business of royal PersOnages
and however ill-equipped he may be
otherwise for royal rank, Don Carlos
carries himself in manner not uniting
~ for king and has chosen kingly
companion. The pretender has good
eye for effect.-Youth's Companion.