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 the death of his friend. Notwithstanding, he had ever before his eyes the same sight: the old man fallen over his plate, spurting blood while the echo of his last peal of laughter still rang in the air.

While in this deplorable condition, Pontes received a letter from the relative in Rio. Among other things the holder of the trump card wrote: "Since you did not advise me in time, as per our agreement, I learned of Bentes death only through the newspapers; I looked up the Minister but it was too late, the appointment of his successor had already been signed. Your frivolousness has lost you the best chance of your life. Remember this for your future guidance: tarde venientibus ossa, and be smarter in the future."

A month later they found him hanging from a beam in his room with his tongue lolling, his body rigid.

He had hung himself by leg of his drawers.

When the news got about town everyone found it amusing. The Portuguese grocer commented thus to the cashiers:

“What a fellow! Even on his dying day he cracks a joke! Hung himself by a drawers leg! Only Pontes would remember to do that"

And they repeated in chorus a series of "Ha! has!!" … the only epitaph given him by man.