The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-09-07
LIIS0NLhlLAN NlSOTSo
From the Ladies' Companion.
MARRIAGE AT A MASQUERADE.
CHAPTER l.

1t was the gay season ofthe Carnival,
The streets of Vienna were thronged
with motley professions, and muslc,and
the merry laugh, and the voice OF pleas
sure were substituted for the hum ol
commerce The serious tones Of business,
and the brow of care, The city had
put on its holiday suit, and mlrIh and
revelry reigned from hall to hovel.
Night came 90 and The streets were fill
ed with maskerS on their way 10 various
lplaceS of amusement. The gorgeous
IhaIl of The Hotel del Emperor was
| lighted up with The plendor of noon, Land
his avenues were crowded with carriages
and caleshes of the elite; and graceful
add stately women in mask, and noble
l,ppearing men, in rich costumes a'lghted
Iron them aud ascended the broad staIrS
to the hall, to which they were directed
by he sounds of music and reveIry that
reached the ear.
Beside the door stood marshais to
receive the swords of the gentlemen; al
the same time, according each as he
passed into the hall to lift his Ok hei
mask. The object Of the first being TO
prevent bloodshe eddlng in any chance
quarrel that of the latter to see that no
improper person entered
NAV, sieur marshal, thou shalt not
have NV sword, nor, by mine honor,
will lift my mask at any mans bid
ding :,
These were lhewords spoken by tall
bl, evidently youthful masker' represe"'
ting Venetian cavalier The eIegan'
t and graceful costume displayed his fine
person to advantage, while his lofty and
naughty carriage gave an air OF truth 10
the assumed charac,er;for ne'er a caval-
Iier of Venice carried himself with no
bier bearing. He wore slender rapTef
at his thigh, and, his face was close
I " concealed in black silk " sor. A
snowy plume depending from his velvet
leap, swepthis left shoulder, from which
his scarlet mantle, .sllvered wilhembroi-
Tered flowers fell gracefully as low as
Ibis breast. On his arm hung graceful
female figure, slight of form, but with
proud carriage. She wore the costume
|of noble Venetian lady, and was mask
led 10 a half visior of silk, which left ex
posed a chin and throat Of the most ex'
-lquisile beauty.
=. The voice ofthe cavalier,as he answer
ed the marshal. was arrogant and deiy-
ling. The corridor without was ihrons-
ed with msskers awaiting to enter, and
egarding with surprise and curiosity The
extraordinary scene.
Nav, then, monsieur replied the
marshal, placing his sword across the
|en,rance, thou shalt not pass.
Il will not be stayed by serv'tor oi
} The hall! Stand aside, marshal, answer
ed the cavlier, 6erceIy; and he drew his
{. sword and struck down the weapon
jha, opposed his passasge'
Ho! Les gems d'armes! Ho! the
guardn shouted the marshel and the
crowd without.
sArrete vous, MONSIEUR challenged
A second marshal within The door placing
The poin, of his sword at his breast
j But The bold cavalier struck IT ASIDE
,nd passing into the hall, mingled WIN
ithe ,hrong Of maskers before he could
he arrested, and, when the gen d'arme'
o arrived he was not to be discovered with
. the slrlclest search.
Half an hour elapsed and a monk o
Lhe Capuchin order came 10 the door OF
he hall and applied for admItance.H!'
II anJ ,yos down and his features inviSi
e Lit your mask good father said the
marshal.
.Nay, the rule applies not to me:
d masks only are TO be liSIed,' answered
y, the Capuchn.
# bot dost thou not call thy cow
mask? - L
1t surely is, or thou art true monk
and as such, can have no business mere
Il have business here, aud canno' o'
delayed: stand aside, SON..
The msrshel, awed by his voice an'
'l manner, instncively drew aside, ant
S monk entered and was lost to The eye o
~ he bewildered marshal in the crowd o
~ maskers.
,r CHAPTER II,