Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1841-02-20
THE GENEROUS MASK.

a TALE INFLATED FR0M THE GERMAN.
IL beautiful lady Of Bordeaux, moWncd with the
sincerest grief for her husblnd who, she heard by
report, had persisted by shipwrcct \ numerous
crowd Of suUrs, attracted by her youth and charms.
only waited the confirmation of this to snicit
her hand. She behaved towards them with the ut
most dcccncy aud proPrielyi yet. she wished to
make a return for the pOencss they showed her
sho made splendid entertainment for them on one
OF the concluding days Of The carnival. While the
company were engaged in play, a stranger masked
and hab!tcJ a genus en cred and sat down 10 play
with the lady. lie lost demanded his revenge, and
lost agaa This adverse fortune attended HIM ten OF
twelve times successively because he adrOiily man
aged the dice IN such "a manner, that the chance was
continually against him. Olhcr players then wished
10 try their luck with him. but the experiment did
not tam IN their advantage. The laty again Icsuin
ell her place aud won an immense sum, which The
mask Lost with good unor and gaely that absolutely
Gsonlshcd the spectators some persons observed
loud enough 10 be heard, ihUi this was not playing
but lavishly throwing away ones money; on which,
raising ms voice he said he the demon OF riches
which he valued not, e1ccpl far as it in his
power 10 bcslow them that lady; ana Immediately;
20 prove the truth of his words, he produced several
bags Of gold and others filled with the diamonds and
different kinds of precious stones; Offering 10 stake
Ihem and single throw against any thing OF The most
trivial value, she might please popo'o The lady
startled aud embarrassed by this declaration now re.
fused TO play any more; and The company knew not
what la think Of this extraordinary occurrence. when
an old lady present observed Ihal he must certainly
be the devil; and that his riches his appearance, his
discourse and Shis deXleriiy of play; all sufficiently
showed that lac was. The stranger over hearing ,h.s
poiiied by the hint lie assumed the and style OF
magician, which could be kaown only To the lady;
spoke several foreign languages, p0riorIned many
tricks, and concluded by drclariny that he had come
10 demand certain pcrs,a in the company. Who
had siveH herself To- him, lnj who he protested be-
ionged to himi asserting at the time that he
would take her to himself and leave her more,
10 defiance Of every obstacle.
All eyes were new on the lady, who knew not
what to thing Of this adventure; the WON n trem-
bed, the men smiled and the genius continued eI
cite the perplexy and admiration Of the company
The extraordinary lasted SD long; that some
grave percentages at last arrived who lnienOgaied the
demon. and were on the point Of exercising him.
The mask, however, turned every thing into ridi
eC!@ with muchl wit that he had tho laughcrs on
his side At length when he found il was mo longer
time. for ralery, he took off his mask which immedi
aey on the denoumrni ofhis extraordinary entertain
men;. by exciting an exclamation from the mistress
Olhe house. In the generous stranger she rocogniz
ed her husband; who having been in Spain had gone
from thence TO Peru where he made IN immense for
tune aud returned laden with riches. He had learned
on hs arrival, that his lady was give entertain.
ment, aud masquerade ball 10 particular friends
An opportunity 10 favorable 20 disguise inspired him
with wish 10 introduce himself without being
known and he had chosen the cItracags.t dress
he could meet with. The whole company. which IN
great measure consisted OF his relations and friends
congratulated him on h- return aud willingly resign
ed 10 him his amiabe lady whom lac had very justly
claimed as hs own