Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1880 — Americans and Titles. [ARTICLE]

Americans and Titles.

Ambitious Americans who have the misfortune to possess letters of credit of very limited amounts manage to obtatin titles and decorations by ways that are dark and mysterious as those of the heathen Gliinee. Some little act of gallantry to any member of royalty, if worked up and manipulated in an effective manner, is sure to bring its reivard. The story is told of a lucky American in Rome who recently earned a decoration and title by rushing to the rescue of the queen’s poodle. It Avas his good fortune to be Avalkiug on the Pinciau Hill at the same hour the queen was taking her afternoon promenade. Her pet poodle had wandered a short distance from her Avhen it Avas pounced upon by a big bull-dog, and Avould have been clieAved up and *Avallowed Avhole—silver collar, pink ribbon and all—but for the timely rescue by the American. Of course the queen screamed and fainted, aud was only restored to consciousness by having her favorite placed in her arms unharmed by the gallant foreigner, avlio had the presence of mind to present her Royal Highness at the same time his card and address. It Avas a bonanza of luck to the man in the fashionable world. The result Avas a decoration, and ever since, Avlierever he goes, society throws Avide open its door for his entrance. At all of the swell dinners given by members of the American colonies in Paris, Borne, and Florence, the blue and red ribbon in his button-hole is the envy of his less fortunate countrymen. I recently met in Marseilles an American Avhom I had knoAvn years ago, first as captain of a trading vessel, and afterAvard as a successful ship chandler. He had begun life as a poor cabin boy in a coasting schooner, and had worked himself up the ladder until fortune had smiled upon him and he had become the possessor of large Avealth. I noticed pinned to his coat collar a small colored rosette which was prominently displayed a« an insignia of rank. “Halloo!” I exclaimed with some sur!)rise, pointing to the rosette; “Avhat lave you been doing?” “Oh! nothing—nothing particular,” ho ansAvered, evidently not AA'isliing to enter into particulars; “I was not aAvarel had it on,” and, unpinning it, he placed it carefully in his vest pocket. “But you have got a decoration; you have been made a knight or a prince,” I said. “Nonsense! nothing of the kind; it Avas given me as a mark of esteem, a recognition, you understand; foolish I knoAv, but Ave Americans do foolish things sometimes; but please don’t mention it Avlien you get home.” “Of course not, but such favors are never bestowed promiscuously without a cause. You mxist have saved the life of some member of the royal family. ” “Not much,” he said, giving me a peculiar twinkle with his right eye; “I wasn’t such a fool as to throw myself under the hoofs of the king’s horses; there is a cheaper way of getting these things.” I saw that the subject of titles, and the manner in which he obtained his, were not favorite topics with him, and so turned the conversation. I learned afterward, however, as a fact, that he had Siaid the pope several thousands of dolors for a title which allowed him the privilege of displaying the small rosette on his coat collar.