The San Francisco call., 1906-05-27
snecial plsnateh to The can.

OAlGC-e24 AJ-olelNN-A ~ liz Ne1---
BERLIN, May "a threatened per
eonal encounter in Florentine cafe with
an unknown young officer, who proved to
be. Frederick William. German Crown
Prince; recognition and explanations
which resulted in mutual attachment and
friendship: royal command to settle in Ber-
lin under his Imperial 14tghness' patron
age: admission to. the most exclusive cir
cles Of artistic society in the Kaiser's
giittering capital; betrothal TO a Colorado
beauty and heiress. the belle Of the sea-
son-that is the story, in brief of fame
and fortunes favors TO Signor Aldo
SgUanci, y years old, Florentine sculp-
tor. painter, actor, musician and all-round
genius.
His engagement to a typical American
girl, Miss Eva Frederica lie Fevre,
daughter of Judge and Mrs. owen E>~Le
Fevre of Denver clothes Sguanci with
particular interest for people in the
United States, for, unless all signs fail, he
is bound 10 be heard of brilliantly and
decisively in tie world of art. He has,
indeed. already arrived" to an extent
sculptors twice his age might envy, for
the products Of his chisel already occupy
inches in some of the finest galleries of
Italy, Germany France and Russia, and
he wears decorations of honor bestowed
by the King of Italy, the Vatican al
Rome and the French Government
The story of Sguanci's chance meeting
with the future German Kaiser in cafe
at Florence a year ago, which, promised
10 end in fsticuffs. but wound up instead
in denoUement that started Sguanci on
the way to fame, reads as If il might
have been snatched from a novel or a
play SgUanci was drinking and chatting
with a trio Of artist friends. when he sud
denly observed himself being sketched
by one of two young officers, GERMANY uni
formed. q few tables away. Pulling out
his own sketch book and crayon, Sguanci,
eyes flashing, started to draw the officer.
He works with lightning speed, and be-
fore the astonished young German had
time 10 realize what had happened,
Sguanci was standing before MIN. shov-
. ing a sketch. true to life, before his as
-tonished gaze
4 saw you drawing me, so I've drawn
you. and here YOU are" he observed, with
g note. Of defiance in his voice.
The German Crown Prince, for IL was
be; is by no means timid, and in an in
stant he was on his feet with his fist
cleached. looking Sguanci square in the
eyes. In another moment a blow might
have been struck had not one of the other
Germans hastily grasped the young
sculptor by the arm and revealed TO him
had sketched. OF course the abashed
Italian Immediately bowed low and ten
dered profuse apologies. which were as
promptly accepted. when Sguanci was in
vited TO join the royal party at coffee
and cigarettes.
An hours laughing, animated conver-
sation ended up with an assurance of the
crown Princes readiness TO sit TO Sguan-
ci for a bust the first the future Kaiser
ever had made. and q commission to ex-
ecute and bring it personally to the pal
ace at Potsdam-
When the bust was finished Sguanci
prepared 10 convey it to the Marmor
falais in Potsdam. eventually arriving in
Berlin with his bust under as arm in q
brown paper package. Betaking himself
TO Potsdam, he was destined for anothe,
unconventional meeting with his imperial
paIzon. Tor the Crown Prince happened
10 be driving through the gardens of Sans
Scuci Park when he spied Sguanci look
ing vaguely for the right way to 20 and
overwhelmed him with welcome Fred.
erick William insisted on the youne
sculptor jumping into his dogcart, bust
and all. and was driven by his Imperial
aighness himself direct to the palace
where he was honored in every way, and
asked to select the niche best suited Il
the work.
Sguanci began to attract notice to his
genius at the age of 1e, when his first i'm.
poFtant work. PRO Humanitate," was
produced. All his works show strength
life and beauty. Two years ago he was
knighted by the King of Italy and given
the title Of Cavaliere della Corona d'Italie.
which had never before been conferred
on so young a man. Shortly after the
accession Of Plus X Sguanci executed 3
magniicently life-like bust in marble O,
his Holiness, which now stands in con
spicuous place in the private quarters OF
the Holy Father of the Vatican.
One of his recent achievements was the
ssnpletlon OF q heroic-sixs east entitled