The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-16
AN AFFAIR AT A FAIR

A correspondent of the Courier des Flats
OntS relates an incident which occurred recently
at Paris, and which caused quite talk in the
fashionable circles. A Fair was got up by the
ladies' for the benefit of the Polish Exiles. and
many of the most beautiful and fashionable ladies
in Paris took deep interest in the matter. and
furnished articles for sale or acted as saleswomen
on the occasion Among the numerous useful
and ornamental articles offered for sale at one OF
the tables, was simple yet elegant Greek car,
trimmed with green silk ribbon 1t was not Of
great value In itself, but what gave it immense
value IN the estimation of some persons. was
the label attached TO 1t, viz: Made and pre-
sented by Madame de " This lady was
one of the most celebrated beauties in Paris
young, beautiful, witty, accomplished, and a
tUidolo
The Greek cap so neatly made and so taste
fully trimmed, soon after the opening of the Fair
attracted the notice of fashionable lounger
who, after reading the label, said to the lad v
shopkeeper in voice trembling with emotion
| will buy this charming little cap, Madame, if
you have no objection. What is the price p
Forty francs! replied will. sweet smile the
fashionable dame. This was evidently high
price for the article in question:
The gentleman took out his purse to nav for
the cap, when another admirer of Madame de
N, who had come up just in time TO witness
the bargain, said. pointing to the cap,
Il will give sixty francs for it,
Very well, sir replied the lady with smile.
the bargain is not yet concluded, and the great,
er the sum receive for the cap the better il will
be for the poor Polish exies'
Eighty francs = exclaimed the first customer
Five louis doris ! said the new conner without
hesitation
One hundred and twenty francs!' .One hmm
dred and forty!' Two hundred! Two bun-
dred and fftyP Three hundredp -Four
hundred Five hundred!' In word the
bids rapidly rose to one thousand francs for the
little Greek cap, SO determined was each of these
gallant gentlemen to secure the prize to himself
The successful competitor was the one who en-
tered second in the list. He carried off the dear
ly bought cap in triumph.
In the evening of the same dav, there was a
large and fashionable party assembled at the
rooms of one of the lady patronesses of the fair.
The exuItIng purchaser ut the pretty can was
present, along with his vanquished connection.
who had bid for it the sum of nine hundred francs
The beautiful Madame de N was also there
as lovely and sprighty as ever, and watching an
opportunity when she was surrounded by LARGE
number of persons, she said in her clear musical
voice to those around her, Do you know that NV
dear mother law was quite fortunate TODAY
An article of tTifiing impOrtance-of little value
IN ltsef-which she presented TO the Polish Fair
n SIhpie U!eeh cap, trimmed with her own hands
was sold for the enormous sum Of one ihop sand
francs =
Our readers will imagine the modification OF
the lucky purchaser Of the cap when they are in
formed that there were t,Do ladies' known by the
same name, Madame de N, widows both
one, young and charming the other had been 81
in former years, but was now nearly sixty years
Of age
With that air Of cruel raillery, which ladies
so well know how to assume towards those OF
their admirers whose attentions are unweIcome
the beautiful Madame de N turning towards
the proud possessor Of the cap, said
Undoubtedly, sir, you had particular and
weighty reasons for putting so high value on
the handiwOrk Of my mother-in-law. Your aTec-
tIous are most worIhliy placed, and believe me-
! will gladly do all in my power tn promote vour
suit. Your pretensions do honor u our family.
and shall bequite happy to have such an anna
ole father-in-law as yourselfl'