The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-01-15
A BLACK PROVIDENCE.
BY France. Jerome.

criticised before his face and behind
his back because. although he was Ont
Of the most ~aristocratic and %fastidiout
OF men. he kept with linn continually
an ugly negro. named by some fantastic
play upon words Beniro.
Besides being horribly ugly in per-
son, he was idle and impudent, dis
playing. indeed. sufficient good humoy
when sober, but this wa not his usual
condition.
Generally he was to be seen lying
about his masters quarters either In :
beastly state of tntoxication or sleeps
ms of the effects of a debauch. 1t was
during one of these periodical affaire
that the marquis told the following
story. Seating him, facing a group Of
friends, immaculate as ever, holding q
fragrant cigar in his fingers, the mar
quis spoke as follows: "You have Oft
mendable interest in my affairs. for
which l thank you, gracious gentlemen
and fair ladies.
I'm no direction has this interest
more strongly shown itself thar in thS
matter of my poor Benito." The mar
ward an open window, under which lay
this negro In a drunken sleep.
You know that I was educated Id
the United States, and there / obtained
my dusky servttor, wen then. as now,
faithful to my interests when, I was
you can judge for yourselves when I
have finished.
Il then proceeded to complete my ed
ucation by a tour of the principal cities
Of the old world. Finally I came to
Athens, and there I stayed longer than
I anticipated, for there, friends, I met
my fate. A beautiful widow, with dark.
lovely eyes and curls mar my fam
cy. We met at the embassy; md.
though I rose early and worked late 4
could never flatter myself that 1 had,
made n impression or her marble
heart.
lone night at a. ball at the Embassy.
between a waltz and a polonnaise. the
subject of a picnic next day in hi
fields outside Of Athens was brought
up. and finally decided upon. I had
heard stories Of Greek bandits. who
were collected in bands outside of the
city, and I took occasion to MENTION the
fact that they sometimes took prison-
ers of people, and held them for ran
som, failing which they subjected their
prisoners to frightful atrocities. But
1t made no impression. To the gay
music of the orchestra the plans were
completed. I wa rewarded by a
bewildering glance from Eva's black
eyes, and a whispered invitation to be
AS1 pal cSCOIl OH Iuo MORROW.
The party were to proceed horse
back to a certain spot near Athens, ana
there d1smount. The servants were to
prepare luncheon. And SO with gay
est anticipations the party broke up
for the night.
"summoning Benito, who, for a won-
der was sober, l threw him my keys.
and, bidding him to ave my riding
clothes and horse ready for me. and to
walker me at an early hour, I went to.
bed to dream Of the fair Eva.
When I awoke the next day the sun,
was shining hot in my face. SpringinE
out Of bed, I found it was II O'Clock,
hours after we were to have been on.
our way. Blind with rage. I dressed,
and hurrying out into the empty court
yard, I saw my faithless slave. lying
prone In the sunshine, dead drunk. {
seized my riding whip M beat him till.
I could do no more.
IA merry laugh greeted my ears.
Looking up. I saw the fails Eva. seated
behind the half-closed blinds. I rushed
to her side, to find hat some mistake
in her riding habit had angered her.
She had refused at the last moment to
go. n they had set of without her.
1t Is needless to say that I never passed
a happier day-even considering that I
might pardon Ben1to.
AT nightfall q single rider rushed
DASd@lASSS AAlO S1S City. LIE DTlSaIQS
held thep party for ransom. And, sad to
relate. before he could return to them
they had been murdered. Thus you see,
gentlemen" said the marquis. with a
merry twinkle in his eyes as he rose
to depart, IT not only feel bound to
provide for my good servant, but even
to keep him reasonably drunk"
But" called after him one Of the
party. Marquis. what Of Eva?'
The marquis turned and bowed, with.
all the grace Of Spain. and without q
word departed.