Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-11-24
s E L ECT T ALE.
From the GiH for 1874.
THE UNKNOWN BELLE.


ON no lover Of mystery. Enigmas are my
deiesiation. When boy. study ing Ovid, used
TO regard the conduct Of Sphinx with unmitgated
disgust. l consider her the most intolerable Of
antique bores. and Giphus patient Ounce.
The proceedings Of Alexander in cutting the
Gordlan knot, instead Of puzzIing himself by at
tempting to unite it me, with my hearty approx
al. ] loved him from the moment was made a.
ware Of that incident in his career. But whom
mystery comes in tho shape Of q pretty woman,
that IS different matter altogether. My aniip-
athies give way like blocks Of ice before spring
freshot Listen to my story.
1t was one OF the gayest Of The gay sessions at
Washington The first Of series Of brilliant
balls al the White House had commenced. The
east room was crowded with ell the beauty, resi-
dent and transitory, Of the District. Foreign
ministers and attaches, with their stare, carriers.
ribands, hreeches, and silk stockings members Of
Congress with their thumbs in the arm holes Of
their waistcoas, Indian chiefs, deputed by their
tribes, with their pIumes and painted feathers, Of
hce holders office. seekers, idlers and lobby .loun
gers, were the principal constituents Of the male
portion Of the assembIsge. Add to these some
hundreds OF invited guests, who came because
they fell they had proprietary interest in the
mans'on and an idea may be formed OF the dem
city and mixed character Of the crowd.
Half a dozen 9uadrilles and wal,zes had been
completed. A number OF the more provident
aud sagacious Of the guests had begun to take
up line OF march toward the supper room; and
the dancers. tired Of jostng one another, were
ondoavoring TO retreat, when one Of the mana.
gers called upon the gentlemen 10 form a new
cottlion, and at the same time, causing the STAN
doris by TO fall back, opened circle, and then led
forth from the dense throng, from which she
seemed to emerge like the evening star from be-
hind q cloud. young and beautiful female. A
general murmur Of surprise and admiration gree-
ted her appearance.
"Who can she bei' "Did any one ever see her
beforef'' 'What fgure" "Wha, a FACET
were the hasty whispers exchanged among the
spectators SO great was the anxiety to see her
that the space cleared for the dancers was almos
Immediately filled up. No one seemed able ,c
give the slightest information as to Who she
when or whence she came. 1t all seemed TO rue
for a moment fairy like Gelusion. Was l no.
at the ball given by Prince Fortunaius, and was
DOT this Cinderella herself7 glanced down a
her feet; they were marve llously small, and the
glossy white satin slippers shone like glass. The
delusion grew stronger. Never before had ! ex,
perienesd go forcib!y the potency Of the INA gina
tioo. l began to wonder whether or not shs
would disappear 10 coarse attire when The clocl
struck twelve.
Twas reused from my reverie by being seize,
by tho hand by tho manager, lat the moment
took him for Prince Fortunatus,) who had hastil,
introduced me partner to the fair unknown
and, a. 1 afterwards learned. bestirred himself 4
keep back the crowd. and create room for tn
quadrille. How dazzngy beautiful she was
Ordinary beauties may be described in detail, bu
Miss Smith Eyes that was the name by which sh