The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-07-22

~ ENILLE, July 21.-Many men,
wise and otherwise, regard mat
rimony as a lottery. but seldom
has a man applied the popular
theory in the same fashion as Don
Rafael Alsina, who has just caused a
sensation here. Don Rafael, who is
decidedly well-to-do, recently won the
grand prize in the National Lottery,
divided the money between five pretty
girls who had been chosen by vote,
and then had recourse to another lot
terry to determine which of them he
should marry.
Don Rafael Alsina lives in fine style
in an ancient palace in the popular
Triana quarter in Seville With the
old palace he inherited a large for
tune. This he has more than doubled
by a devotion to business which is
exceedingly rare in Spain, where the
general rule of life is, Never do to-
day what you can put OFF doing until
tomorrow" Because. presumably. he
allowed himself so little leisure. Don
Alsina had achieved another distinc-
ton rare in Spain. He had reached his
thirty eighth birthday without ever
having fallen in love. His pet hobby,
aside from making money, has been
giving it away. He is honored far and
wide in Seville for his charity
One morning early in May last, two
pretty girls. Paquita vasquez and Ro-
sta Ortiz, called upon him.
I'VE are laundry girls said Pauuita.
and knowing you to be rich and
charitable we have come to ask you
to do something for one of our fellow
workers. poor widow with six chill
dren, who lives in wretched garrett"
Il shall send her 200 pesetas (s4O)
today said Don Alsfna, but why did
not the poor widow come herself to
get help from me. 1t is we'll known
deserving poor person who is in need
of assistance"
Our poor friend" answered Paquita.
lis old and-and she has lost all her
good looks. senior"
Bull never withhold my aims from
have robbed them of their good looks"
said Don Alsina. There must be some
other reason why she did not call her.
self"
The girls giggled and exchanged
chances.
THE truth is said Rosita. "our poor
friend thought she would get more
from you If we told you her story
because we, so our friends say, are
are rather pretty. senior"
Don Alsina laughed and the girls
blushed.
The widow shows" he said. that
if age has deprived her OF her beauty
it has increased her wisdom. 1 shall
send her 800 pesetas. Now, what can
1 do for her charming representatives
in whose selection she has shown such
excellent Judgment"
I'VE leave that to your own gene
rosity, senor," said Paquita. I'VE laun-
dress girls are all very poor and we
work very hard"
Il will tell you what l will do" said
Don Alsina. Yesterday 1 bought a
ticket in the National Lottery. The
drawing takes place next week. Send
me the names of the five prettiest
laundresses in our quarter. and if my
ticket wins the grand prize ($50OO). I
promise you to divide 1t among them
Whatever prize 1 win-if l win any
the money shall be given to them"
III 49,
d great stir among the laundresses. It
was decided that the selection of the
five prettiest girls should be deter
mined by votes among the laundresses
themselves. The voting took place on
the banks of the Guadalquiver River,
where the girls do their washing. The
fye elected were Manuela Pinsdo, Ro-