FRIENDS TO THE POOR
Eusebio Blasco
Well known and greatly respected in Madrid society was a certain marchioness, whose name we do not give, but to whom the newspapers referred as "the distinguished," "the illustrious," "the pious," or "the beautiful." For the upper ten, as well as the sportive chulos, have their soubriquets, and if the Madrid women of the poorer class are designated as "the signboard," "the tight topknot," or "the mournful," not less readily do the journalists apply the epithets "elegant," "charitable," or "virtuous," to dames of high degree. Our marchioness "received" and in this was superior to any of our first-rate espadas (bull-fighters), who, by confession of their intimates, do know how "to receive."
Every Friday evening the marchioness entertained a half dozen friends, for whom she not only provided abundant refreshment, but also dishes with outlandish names, on a bill fare in French, because, if not set down in French, what one eats is beneath one's notice. After eating, the guests of the marchioness played omber, or talked literature, politics, or religion.
Devoting her life to the poor, the marchioness organized charity balls, benevolent clubs, and fairs of a similar character; and, indeed, there is no question but that she was an exceedingly estimable person. Each successive Friday had
