The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-03-07
ITALIAN AMERICAN
LEARNS LESSON OF
SPECIAL PRIVILEGE
How One, D. Chiascuro, Dis
covers the Difference Be-
tween a Lottery and a Raj
file in America.

IIC III SIIICI IVA
CONTINUED from Page One.)
cts or anything else pertaining therto
through the mail: and then asked him
whether he acknowledged that the let
ter was In response to one he had sent.
Nor will 1t greatly surprise you to
learn further that Chiascuro looked at
the letter long and longingly, but sol.
EMMY and sadly disclaimed and dis
owned It.
Begins to Awaken.
After he got home the problem Of
the ways of a free country lay heavily
on the mind Of our hero, and refused
to be dislodged. He was still wrestling
with II as he enjoyed the spring sun
from his chair on the sidewalk in
front OF his store. when wagon pass
ed In the crate on the wagon was a
wellfavored COW: and on the side was
the legend: This COW to be given
away to holder of lucky number at
Elk's Fair, May 4. Tickets 10 cents"
Diogenes rubbed his eyes and pinched
his nose to make sure he was not
dreaming Then he called his boy from
the side.street where he was playing
marbles. to make sure that his English
was not at fault. He was treasured
that neither his eye nor his English
had betrayed him. But the familiar
Old.world air of the legend. his vivid
recollection Of the postal inspectors
explanations. and the poignant pain
at the memory of the fat envelope he
dared not claim. made him distrust all
evidence and prevented his mind from
drawn the natural conclusions. While
he was lost in this quandry an auto
mobile passed. 1t bore upon its polish
cd side card announcing: ITO be CIV
en- away at Elks' Fair. A chance to get
an $500 automobile for 10 cents"
Diogenes watched 1t. open-mouthed.
until II vanished around corner.
Then he eased the itch Of his palm by
scratching It with the milled edge Of
q new dime, and hailed passing bus
mess neighbor
Rattle W. Lottery.
"What-a Get mean" he asked, with
IN expressive gesture toward the van
ished automobile.
co." said the American carelessly.
'The Elks have big fair coming of
and are going to rattle off the COW and
auto"
"Da scll-a me what you Gala tick
kut" Els English approached the van
fishing point when he grew excited.
sure. Diogc! you ought to buy a
dozen. You might be the lucky fellow.
But da poliss no arrest dem?" ask
ed the fruit.vender, wonder looking out
OF his transparent face.
The American laughed. Bless your
heart. no: Diogenes! It's for charity;
and, besides, all the leading citizens
are intD it,
At this the ancient namesake awoke
in our hero's constitution and got out
his lantern. An elemental Latin In
terest in political institutions lighted
It up, and Diogenes Chiascuro started
out seeking the truth about a govern
mental system that robbed the alien
Of his greenbacks because they came
from q lottery run by priests in the
interest of religion, but let him have
. free chance at COW or automobile
in a charity rattle managed by the
leading citizens. In the Italy that he
had loved and lost" the prerogatives
OF the privileged classes had not been
20 much to his own disadvantage. And
need not warn you, Kind Reader,
that he had almost as much trouble in
getting at the elusive truth. as his
Athenian prototype did in getting his
lantern focused on an honest man.
Calls on the Chief.
Naturally he went first to the chief
Of police, who stands to the alien
but a step in advance Of the public
school teacher as the representative
of our free government. In reply to
our hero's inquiries. the chief admit
ed that the rattle was against the
law but explained cOndescendingly
that 1t was not his business to inter
fcre. II the prosecutor thought proper
he would bring the matter to the at.
tention Of the grand jury; and they
would, II the evidence warranted,
bring in an indictment against the
responsible parties, IL they could be
identified. Diogenes sought to locate
and unlawful means Of getting mo-
uey through devices of chance. He
asked what would happen II he and
his friends shot craps in neighborly
fashion in the alley behind his store
YOU'D get pulled. sure" said the
chief unhesitatingly: and then added,
- Diogenes seemed unsatisfied, Its
against the law and the public
wouldn't stand for 1t minute"
Chiascura pursued his quest. He in
Quired about the card tables and piles
of money he had seen often at social
functions. when he delivered fruit to
. certain house in the East End. The
chief smiled indulgently.
"Bridge!" he said. They just play
1t for fun: and besides they belong
to the best families"
Diogcnes was cropping his way in
rather deep darkness. but he kept up
the quest. He queried whether he
might have his neighbors in for a So
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