THE KING'S BOAR.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12765, 11 April 1910, Page 3

THE KING'S BOAR.

Outside Rome, between tho Eternal City and the sea on the banks of tho Magliana, an affluent of the Tiber, is a modest and ancient inn kept by a man named Ricciotti. The clientele is scattered enough, and of a class little calculated to enrich the proprietor. Now, however, on Sundays, a few motorists visit tho placo to take a little wine and macaroni. Their tips come as a godsend to Ricciotti. Recently a motor in which were several sportsmen, including King Victor Emmanuel, who had been ' hunting stopped at the inn in distress. The breakdown was soon remedied, and the host, despite his confusion, eyed a fine boar in the car, and observed in a stage, whisper, "By Bacchus! What a" beautiful boar. With such an animal I could make a fortune on Sunday."

The King, seemed not to notico the observation, ordered Riccotti an honorarium, and the motor drove off with the boar to a charitable institution, for which int was desired qa tntion, for which it was destined. On the Wednesday following, about noon, tlie innkeeper saw the same motor arrive. Tin's time the King was accompanied by the Queen, arid lying at the feet of the.)chafreur jvas a finer 'boar than that of the 'previous . cjccasiori. The host came' f rpwar'd ,, bare-headed, thinking : another;., mishap, had occurred. The King said* "Well, do you wish to make'a fortune? If so, here is the boar for Sunday." . The ihnkecpei stupefied, was recalled to his senses by the chaffeur banding over "the boar. The sign of the inn we are told;is to be changed. " Henceforth it is to be known as The King's Boar.