The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-07-07
THE DEAD DANGERS.

most astonishing story which was late
ly cut from French Journal describing
The death OF gentleman while WALKING, is
going the rounds of the newspapers. The
incident reminds US Of another which is
said TO have occurred in thi. city many
years since, and which nigh, furnish the
ground work Of fashionable tale of horror.
Miss, young lady of beauty and &C.
complishments, but of disposition singu.
larry perverse and exciting, was betrothed
TO a French officer who had been placed
upon The half pay list from being lncapac.
tated for service by musket ball which he
received 10 his breast, and which had not
been extracted. Captain was an ex.
cellent ualtzer, but owing 10 the state Of
his health he could never take more than
one or two turns upon the floor without be.
ing overcome by exhaustion, and indeed
his physician had expressly forbidden him
TO share IN that exciting dance. Waltzing,
though subsequently written out Of fashion
by the authors of Salmagundi, was at that
time nearly as much in vogue as at present,
OF ton, was one Of the first always to Join in
the graceful whIrl. Partners, however,
were not easy TO be obtained unless when
foreigners were present, aud II CHANGED one
evening that Miss entered ball room
Just when Captain - had waltzed a few
turns, and overcome with the exercise, was
about retiring from the room. The lady
was provoked a, having arrived too late to
secures her lover for the first dance, and
with want Of consideration truly unfemi.
nine, laid her hand upon his arm TO detaln
hlm IN passing. Poor Monsieur -,
though pale aud sinking, had too much Of
he Frenchman about him to resist the 40.
peal. lie begged a short respite, however,
which was granted, while the careless girl
ratified away with the beauy who had
clustered around her as she leaned upon
/ the arm Of her silent lover. Alter very
brief time, single qnadrll only having IN.
tervencd, the walizing couples were called
+ 10 the floor, and the lhoughiIess Miss -
hurried her partner INTO the gay circle
The band struck up. The dancers moved,
and the slow tune enabled the Invalid cap.
tam 10 get through the first round with ap-
parent ease. He seemed, too, TO gather
life as the time Of the music quickened,
and the walters moved faster and faster !;
nav, his strength was so renewed, that he
soon tired out the other couples.
The floor was lief! to this SINGLE pair and
now 50 swiftly did they whlr around tina,
the musicians 10 turn had 10 follow them
with the most rapid execution. The gaze
Of The whole company was Fixed upon this
eccentric palr, when suddenly the face of
The lads was seen to turn Of purple color,
while The features of her partner rorked as
+ II affected by some hldeous spasm. Her
eyes rolled with an ANXIOUS, appealing look,
While ms became tiSed with the stare Of a
maniac, her srns fell listlessIy by her side
+ his seened to contract like hinges OF iron
about her person, which, folded IN his EN-.
brace, was flung with the last move Of the
delrlous and dung man a corpse upon the
per. The horror.struck spectators sprang
10 the assistance Of the unfortunate lady,
out she was already gone aud her lover ex.
pred before she could be released from his
arms. An examination Of the officers ho.
dy proved that his death ensucd from the
dropping Inwardly, upon a mortal part, OF
the bullet he bad SO long carried about
him; aud, IN the sudden delrum Of his
death agony, he had wrought some fatal
INJURY TO the lady by the horrible compress.
SION IN which he held her.-N T. Miro.