The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-08-26

! crowded and confused. The dealenin
place OF the exciting music, whist a
iseemed on the move; as to inspect NOR
narrowly the different figures Of pctur
so vast and animatng. But VIC ha
scarcely time to survey the features th
scene had now assumed, before the worl
Twas again commenced Of clearing the cen
ire for dancers; and the director Of the bal
who seemed in every respect disposed /,
exert bis powers for the benefit of thos'
who might be called more peculiarly hi
own subjects, had again sounded the direc
,ions, and given the watchword "Palo
mise" which shot like an electric spark
through the frames ofall, and produced al
instant hustle for partners and Places
We determined to remain in our seats
since it was almost useless to attempt
participation in tho more active fcats OF
the s'light fantastic toe,f as the crowd wa.
50 exceedingly dense. The Palonaise
given as on the confines Of Poland, is {
much more stirring end varying dance
than what is tripped in England under
that unme. In one Of the manauyres
which belong to il, each lady in her turn
lis led 20 the centre, where she is danced
around by several gentlemen, while she
holding a handkerchief in her hand, Al
length losses it in lhe dir, a nd she becomes
the partner Of him whose superior agility
gains The possession Of it. This had beer
often repeated with much harmless mirih
when we observed female more sumptu
ous!y dressed than her companions enclos
ed in the circles; and rs tall young m,n
dressed in black cauaht her handkerchief
and claimed her hand he suddenly started
back, and uttered one Of those piercing
cries which betolien some agonizing hor
ror. and instantly excited The most lively
Iemo'ions. He rotreaicd from the girl as
| il he had discovered in her something pcs,
| l6iernus. and overcome apparently by some
terrible feeling, lie sank senseless into the
arms oi those who were standing neal
him.
An incident ofthis nature is sure to pro
Iucc confusion in ballroom; and. from
the singular circumstances which ATTENDED
the one in question, the dancing aud mn
| SIC almost instantly ceased, and all Other
objects were laid aside, save gratifying the
curiosity which had been so suddenly ant
awfally eSciied. a general rush tool
place toward the young man, whose mast
had been removed, and exhibited features
which had already death-lke hue, willis
a cold perspiralion stood upon his brow
As il was impossible to keep oft crowd
who, ia their eagerness TO observe wha
was passing, threatened TO sufiocntc tht
unfortunate object who had caused so gen
eral an interest. he was removed into the
supper.room, and laid upon one ofthe set
tees which stood about, Here gentle
mar, pulling off his mask, discovered him
self as Prince Charles; aud exercising thc
authority which his rank entitled him 10
| lie requested the room to be Immediately
cleared, and physician TO be sent for
Ny companions and myself had in the
meantime descended into the room where
The patient lay extended, and ms had for
iunotely lancet in my pocket, ! suggest
ed to the prince the necessity Of instantly
bleeding him. A young surgeon who was
present, hearing the suggestion, offered
his aid in the operation, and having receIv-
cd the sanction OF the prince, the prepara-
,ions were in n moment completed. II
was with some difficulty that little blood
was drawn, but il had the effect Of bring
ing the young man back again TO sense
Even yet his mind seemed prey to some
horrible phantasr, for, starting up, hi:
whole frame shook wilha violent convul.
sion, and with marks of the most vivid ter.
ror. he calculated several times: II saw
her! saw her! He appeared to have
come alone to the ball, for no one stepped
forward to claim acquaintance or kinsmsn
ship with him, aud it was judged best Il
remove him TO couch the moment he was
able TO endure motion. Fortunately, .
card 10 his pocket revealed his address, ant
with proper precautions, be was thus sent
home.
Upon our return to the saloon, we found
The mask, which appeared to have been
the immediate cause Of this extraordinary
event, very unconeerncdly pursuing hel
sport. and seemingly unconscious Of the
speculaiions that were formed respecting
her. She was eagerly iu,erroga,ed by
several persons present as TO the young
man, 10 whom her presence had apparent
Nv given such a shock, but she persisted IN
DENYING any knowledge of him, or of any
circumstances which could el1cidate the
affair. Under such circumstances, the
intensity of the feeling that had been rails
ed seemed gradually 10 subsidc, and iht
crowd returned more ardently TO the pur-
suits orthe evening, from the little episode
which had stayed them for an Instant
Some few there were who, feeling thai
something more than ordinary was lnyolv
ed in the mystery, INDUCED their specnla
tive fances in number!ess vain conjec
lures; and as The fertility Of their magma
tions wns increased by sparkling cham
pacne no limit was set to tho dark coniu
ra,ions into which their inherent passion
for romance led then. 1t twould he idle Il
deny ,ha, the affair had reused my curios
Itv in a very considerable degree, and tht
gloomy Versions with which | heard 9th
lers recaIe themselves, induced in me |
restless anxiety to clear mp the mystery
II was, however, some time before wa
able to procure relation concerning thi
Young man, on which could place an i'm
/ ,t;c;, rol;,,co sud his history was told Il