Western Reserve chronicle and weekly transcript of the times. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1854-1855, 1855-01-17

1or Inc Baroness, WIDOW, and with q
small fortune, would have, unaided by
her opulent friend, great deal of difficulty
10 make figure, and maintain herself as
a leader in the ranks of fashion. The
Baroness was not only fond of dress, but
she was fond of cards. This was vice
which then made great ravages among
the fashionables of aristocracy society.
There was a great deal more and very
different sort ofplying then than what we
have nowadays. The madness of lans-
quent, and It's fatal excesses, are nothing
in comparison with what was usual in
those days.
There were two houses especially
where the aristocratic world played high;
in the mansion of the Duchess de Luynes,
and in the mansion of Russian lady,
Nine de Diwof. At midnight, when
the hells" closed, the bank was estab-
lished now in Luynes-house, Rue Saint
Domique, now Rue des Champs-Elysees
in the house now occupied by the Turk
ish Embassy, and then by Mime Diwoff.
Roulette and Trente ct Quarante, with
their utensils, their taileurs and their
croupierS, were installed in these noble
drawing-rooms the bank was made up
of some six or eight thousand louis dor,
and around the taps gert thronged the ar
ristocratic crowd. The great dignitartes
who were averse to exhibiting themselves
in the public " hells'' took revenge of the
exigencies of decorum. Among the pun
ters were the best people of Europe; NJ.
de Montrond, Ambassadors, Ministers,
Generals, (who played like bold fighters,
but whom fortune did not always treat as
kindly as victory.) Ladies, too, kept a
large place in this busy gallery, and some
of them adventured, and lost a great deal
more than their means would allow.
There was no playing in the DemidOff
House, but amends were made by dane
ing great deal. Several balls had been
given during the season, and towards
Lent, fete was announced which was
to exceed all the others. The elegant
ladies strove to outshine each other, and
every one of them displayed there all
the wealth of their caskets. With ad-
mirable good taste the mistress of the
house alone of all persons present appear
ed very simply attired so as not to eclipse
her guests; for no lady, not even the
Imperial PrincesseS, could have entered
the lists against her, as the Countess de
Demidoff's casket was furnished in pro-
portion to the immense fortune of her
husband. Among other recent exhibit
tiOns of her magnifcence, she had ap-
peared at the last hall in the Tuilleries
with diadem of emeralds and diamonds
worth an hundred thousand dollars.
This diadem had made great sensation
in society. The Countess did not wear
it at her ball she contented herself
with modest set of Perls, worth at most
some two or three louis dor. The fete
was magnificent with luxury and elegant
eclat. The elite of society, the illustri-
GUS men, the grand dignitaries of the
Empire, all the celebrated people of
fashion were present. The first quadrille
was danced by Mime Tiscont, Nine
Hamelin, The Countess Demidof, and the
Baroness Won Schwickel; their partners
were Miss de Narbonne, de Sainte Foy,
de Layaupailliere, and de Boisgelin
these are the names of the best dancers
of that day. The bsll was momentarily
interrupted that musical performance
might be heard which consisted simply
of two airs sung by Jarat, whose inimit-
able talents were then still full of charm
and freshness. After supper splendidly
served, dancing RECOMMENDED, and the
fete continued until daybread.
The Countess Demidoff returned to
her chamber, and taking off her set of
pearls, gave it to her dressing maid, TO
lock up in her casket. This servant sud-
denly screamed with fright, and fell
fainting on the carpet. Her mistress ran
to her, TO take her up, and asked what
was the matter. Her only reply was to
point in the casket to the vacant compart-
ment-the place of the hundred thousand
dollar diadem The diadem had disap-
peared.
There was Immediately great hustle
in every part of the house. Qus stions,
searches, brought about no result. The
police were called in and arrested several
of the servants; then, without losing
time, offended justice began to search
some clue which should dissipate the
mystery, and expose the guilty party.
The news of this event spread rapidly
all over Paris. All of the guests at the
hall hastened to go to the Countess and
present their coincidence for her loss.
As her intimate friend, the Baroness Won
Schwickel was one of the first sympathi-
zers, she showed lively interest in this
sad affair, and seemed so much affected
by 1t, the Countess said smilingly to her,
Really, my dear, shall have to console
you, | fear %
The Countess in truth supported the 4
loss of her diadem with great deal of /
Of philosophy. If the police failed, the