Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1896 — Family Pride. [ARTICLE]

Family Pride.

The following story is told of the visit of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, to the West when he was a lad. The royal party of tourists were entertained by Mr. Blank on Ids ranch. He was naturally anxious that they should fully enjoy the sport of t lie neighborhood. A fishing excursion was arranged for one day, and a gruff old fanner promised that his nepheiV would provide bait for “the i:nglisiimcn,” of whose rank he was ignorant. Mr. Blank, it is said, sent for him the previous evening, anil anxiously inquired: “litis your nephew brought the bait?” “No.” “Wo want it by daylight.” “You’ll faev it,” calmly replied the old man. “This is a matter of great importance. Are you sure that we shall have it?” "Didn’t Jabez give you ills word?” “But how do I know he’ll keep it?” said the uneasy host. Eritawgj|ggjßWjlbilftM thC"if«rM4cr,-i sternly. “Because he’s a Pratt. None of the Pratts ever was known to tell a lie, an’ I reckon Jabez isn’t rt-goln’ to break the record,” and he tramped off. “Yoii must-pardon the old man, your Grace,” Mr. Blank said, turning to the Duke of Newcastle, who was standing near by. “He docs not know who you are.” ‘Tnrdon him? I call that very fine! Why ,should not the Pratts be proud of tlieir honest blood, as well as the Pel-hajn-Cliptons?” (ids own family). The daylight brought Jabez and the bait. Iu one of the noble houses of England a delicate glass vase, called “tire Luck of Edcn-liall,” has been preserved will* scrupulous care for centuries in consequence of a legend that when it is broken the family to which it belongs will perish also from among men. If every American family cherished, like the Pratts, a faith In the trufhrnr honesty, or piety of tlieir ancestor with a resolve like Jabez. “never to break the record,” what a- lightening and uplifting of our'social life would follow! Descendants of Dante. A descendant of the famous poc\ Dante, Count Dante Serego-Alighiero, the mayor of Venice, died recently at his villa Gargagnano, near Verona. Hi* family descends from the author of “La ''Dfvl^T , 6nTeVllft''‘birHie oh~ ly. l Tito last male descendant of Dante, Pietro di Dante, died iu the year 1547, His daughter was married to a Count Serego, of Verona, and lie obtained the right to add his family name to thnt of his wlfe v ihe family of Serego-Alig-hleri Is very mi morons and wealthy, and most of its members live iu the prov? luce of Venezia.