The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-02-28

mostly did congregate. was the scene
ofmuch gaity. There is not people
in the world who. enjoy themselves
more, during the winter season, than
do the denizens of that city; that por-
ton Of the year, particularly the time
Of the Carnival, is one continued scene
Of excitement, and the ball rooms are
the temples at whose shrine the gay
votaries of fashion delight to worship.
There are, in New Orleans, several
ball rooms, ofdistinct and marked char
acters. Some few are so select that
suspicion dare not enter, Others are o.
pen to allexcept the quartroon; but the
quartroon ball is open to all, without
distinction of shade or classification of
color; in fact, the latter was, at the Pc
riod of which we speak, the most fire.
quented. The quartroons are new
distinct class, yet SO wild and romantic
in their attachments, SO passionate
withal, that the scenes of their amuse-
ments is the centre ofattractlon to all,
nor is the complexion Of their beauty
lessened by the tincture of blood, which,
although it debars their marriage with
the creoles, strengthens the tie of love.
This period of the history Of the place
would afford materials for volume.
But to my story. af5r
T. The place to which we invite the
attention of our readers, on this partic-
ular night, was what's called the Quar-
trpon Ball Room. 1t was, and is to this
day. the most splendid in the place.
Youth and beauty, love and pleasure,
reIgned throughout; all were happy, for
all were pleased. In corner of the
visit saloon, unknown and unnoticed,
STOOD Adolp phus Fernandez Themem-
ory Of the lost one, so wildly loved,
had cast shade of sorrow over his
manly brow. He was drawn to this
spot--this scene of festivity and ioy,
in the vain hope that excitement would
crown recollection, but alas! sa
Through the shadowy past,
Like atomb searcher, Memoryran,
Lifting each shroud that time has cast
0'er buried hopes. ~ t'
Hlse eyes were fixed on the walters,
but his thoughts were on the opera,
linking in imagination that chainless
cement to the memory fher he loved,
and whom he now mourned. Mechan-
ically his eyes followed the figure of
one, simply because there was in her
every movement grace and action; the
mask, too, was placed so as 10 show
more of the brunette than the quar-
troon-horror! what meets the eye?
what basiisk charm has she about her
to cause such glare in those eyes?
He stood petrifed, and for moment
the whole scene passed before him like
a fabled vision. What was it?
AS soon as the dance was over, he
sought the figure, and grasping it by
the arm with nervous power, he drew
it to one of the recesses.
"Speak, on your life, speak the truth;
if you prevaricate ,orattempt to scream
death, aye, death-here, amidst flash
ing lights and brighter eyes, will be
your inevitable dom; | will sheathe
this dagger in your heart-scream, it
will be your knel for eternity. lam
mad, crazed, but one word, speak be-
fore reason quits its seat-where--
where did you get that chain?"
"This chain?'
"Aye, this chain that | now grasp,
and have grasped often before--speak,
woman, how came you by it, and who
are you? Not moments delayp'i
"Hush, sir, are there no listeners?
This chain is linked with the name of
one whom it would be dangerous to re-
peat here"
"Woman, fiend! torture me not!--
how did you come by this chain?''
The maskers gazed around them,
there was no one near them, the dag
ger was still in the hand OF the Span
lard, and was so held as to be seen on
ly by herself--his eyes glared wildly
upon her with fearful brightness.
"Draw nearer, Sit; let me whisper
in your eur. This chain belonged to
one"
"SPeak, speak, what other! Tell
me her fate!"
@Death!-the fate Of the passengers
and crew of the brig Dolphin"
"Gracious heayens" murmured he,
sand you, who are you? and how came
this chain into your possessionT
sit was present. am the mistress
ofLa6tte, the Pirate Of the Gulf"
One groan Of anguish, and the unfor-
tunate, youth fe.l PROSTATE at her feet.
"Fool!n muttered dark figure with
q strange mask; she recognized the
chain on your neck. Poor fool !--ha,