Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1894 — A QUEER CHARACTER. [ARTICLE]

A QUEER CHARACTER.

Incidents in the Career of the “Most Eccentric Man in Portugal.” It was in the House of Deputies at Lisbon, many years ago. There had been a debate on the budget, and in the excitement, many bitter words had been spoken. Among the speakers in opposition to the Ministry was Vicompte Antonio de Soto Major, known at the time as the most eccentric man in Portugal, and one of the cleverest. In the course of his speech he had attacked the Ministry so severely that the President of the House called him to order several times, and at last withdrew from him the privilege of the floor. The Vicompte left the chamber for a few minutes, and then returned to his seat. Rising to his feet, he drew two pistols from his pocket, placed them on the desk in front of him, and then demanded recognition. “The first pistol here,” he began, “is for you, Mr. President, if you dare to call me to order again. The second is for that colleague who dares to interrupt me.” He was known to be a man of his word, and the astonished House listened to him in silence. The Vicompte died a few days ago in Stockholm, where he had been Portuguese Minister for many years. He was born in 1832, and was a member of one of the wealthiest and most aristocratic families in Portugal. He began active life as a cavalry officer, but resigned from the army after marrying a Spanish woman as wealthy as himself. They took up their residence in Paris, but lived in such a manner that their fortunes were soon gone. In the fifties the Vicompte returned to Lisbon practically penniless, turned to journalism, and became editor of The Tribune, soon making the paper a power in the little kingdom. His newspaper connection led him into politics, and he was elected to the House of Deputies. There he became famous for his eloquence, wit and fearlessness. On one occasion he publicly called the Minister of Finance a spendthrift. His Excellency replied that such an accusation was hardly in place from a man who had wasted a whole fortune.

“That is not true,” quickly replied Soto Major. “I have spent not only one fortune, but three. The great difference between us, however, is that I spent my own money, while Your Excellency wastes the money of others.” Naturally enough the Government wished to get such an opponent out of the way. To make him as harmless as possible the authorities offered him the mission to Sweden, which, almost strange to say, he accepted. He soon became one of the most popular figures in Stockholm. Every child in the city knew the small, white-bearded diplomat, whose wit was as much admired as his collection of jewels and cravats. Even in his old age he was unable to overcome the wasteful habits of his youth. Many are the stories told of him in Stockholm. Once, in one of the best houses of the capital, a young woman happened to drop a small coin, worth not more than five cents. The Vicompte opened his pocketbook, took from it a hundred-crown note, and lighted it to aid the young woman in her search.—[New York Tribune.