Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-11-24
MISCELLANY.
rom the Gift for 1874.
THE UNKNOWN BELLE.

ain no lover OF mystery. Enigmas are my
de,estaton. When u boy, studying Ovid, used
to regard the conduct Of Sphinx with untnltiga-
ted disgust. | considered her the most ntoera-
BILE of antique bores, and Qdipus patient Ounce.
The proceedings OF Alexander, in cutting the Cor
dian knot, instead of pu2zng himself by attempt
ing to unite it, met with my hearty approval.
loved him from the moment was made aware of
that incident in his career But when mystery
comes in The shape of a pretty woman, that is a
different matter altogether. My antipahes give
way like blocks OF ice before spring freshet.-
Listen TO my story.
1t was one of the gnyest of the gay seasons at
Washington. The first of series brilliant balls
at The W bite House had commenced. The East
Rol m was crowded with all the beauty, resident
and transi,ory, OF the District Foreign ministers
and attaches, with their stars, carriers, ribands,
breeches, and silk stockings-members of Con-
gress, with their thumbs in the arm holes of their
wais,coa,s-Iudan chiefs, deputed by their tribes
with their plumes and painted teaihers-office-
holders, office seekers, ders and lobby -loungers-
were the principal constituents of The mule nor
ton Of the assembage. Add 10 these some hum
dreds OF uninvited guests. who came because they
felt they had proprietor interest in the mansion
end an idea may he formed of the destiny and
mixed character Of the crowd.
Half dozen quadtllles and values had been
completed. A number ofthe more provident and
sagacious of The guests had begun to take up
line OF march towards the supper room and the
danceis tired OF jos'ling one another were en-
deavorlng TO retreat, when one of the managers
called upon the gentlemen to form new cotillion
and at The same time causing The standers-by 10
fall back, opened circle, and led forth from the
dense throng-trom which she seemed to emerge
like the evening star from behind cloud--a
young and beautiful female.
general murmur OF surprise and admiration
greeted her appearance. "Who can she be ?"
Did eyp her hi fire ~ g hat
figure" "What face !"-were the has,y wills
pers exchanged among the spectators. So great
was the anxiety 10 see her, that The space cleared
for the dancers was almost Immediately filed I'D.
No one seemed able to give the slightest informa-
lion as to who she was-when or whence she
came 1t all seemed to me for q moment, a fairy
like delusloD. Was | not at the ball given BY
Prince torlunaus, and was not this Cinderella
herself? glanced down at her feet; they were
marvelonsly small, and The glossy white satin
slippers shone like glass. The deusion grew
stronger Never before had experienced SO for
chilly the potency OF the Imagination. began to
wonder whether or not she would disappear in
coarse attire when the clock struck twelve.
was reused from my reyerie by being seized
by me hand by The manager, lat the moment [
took him for Prince Forlunatus,) who had hasti-
ly Introduced me Ms partner to The fair unknown.
and as afterwards learned beslrred himself 10
keep bt ok the crowd and create room for The
Ordinary beauties may be described in detail
but Miss smith Eyes, that was the name by which
she was introduced 10 mel startled you by the
perfect unity OF her charms You could moi pick
out one feature or one quality as beautiful, be-
cause II was a part of perfectly beautiful whole,
ana was therefore iaul!less as matter Of course.
Her couulenahce was lucid mirror of every pas
sing thought aud emotion other soul aud il oc-
casionnly HE expression was melancholy, it was
always lovely, like mountain lake, the aspect of
which no change of sky can render less uictur.
esque' but in which every change developes new
beauties "N
Ii took minute or two 10 rally my ,boupb,s
and recollecons, and TO convince myself ,het /
had neither walked into The wrong room nor the
wrong century. The lady spoke first. Her yoice
touched Inc like an Holian harp, it was so musi
cnlly sad Soire young tops of my acquaintance
iwiIched me by The elbow, and by significan
wnks indicated their wish to be introduced
MISS Sni!li penetraed their designs, aud said to
me, IN delightful and confidential tone" Don'I
introduce any to me but members of Congress-
Ihe remark puzzled the excessively, but bowed
my acquiescence
we squeezed through the quadrilIe with ,oera.
ple success and as the gentleman manager, who
did not make his appearance. l was telici,a,nG
myself WIN The idea that she would accountant
me 10 The supper room, when, slightly PRESSING
my arm with her hand she directed INV attention.
10 young gentleman, who had been gazing nj
her with undisgulsed symptoms OF admiration. and
asked Il he were not MIR. &, the member
from New York. "''''
replied in The affirmative.
he IS quite iayorite with the old Roman. ia
hanoi p asked the Iady. """' 10
last acquiring infuence.n "s -
sis he married p"
.,s YES" replied, COMPOUNDED at the quiet,
D nu, manner in which the question was