Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-02-03
The Wife's Revenge.

of family well known to history, whose illus
trious name was all the fortune which the
bridegroom possessed but the generous Bel
ognese, in the ardor of her attachment, over
looked the poverty of the lover, in the hope
and expectation Of the proper return to her
disinterested love.
For year all was happiness: but this sum-
mer, being on an excursion to Venice, they
formed an acquaintance with family from
Paris. A young widow of that family very
gay, beautiful, and fascinating, and possessing
profusion of golden tresses which might have
done honor to the head of an Eve or Ophelia,
attracted the attentions of the Marquis Della
R. Her other charms might have failed,
but her beautiful ringets were irresistible, and,
forgetting the attractions of his young and
lovely marchesa, whose rich dark hair would
have We'd with Capello, Cornaro, or even a
Juliet of the Capuets, he became ensnared by
the fair head of the lively Partisan.
After month, the family, including the gay
widow, returned to Paris, and IN another
little mouth " the marquis received q pressing
call to Rome upon business of Importance; and
leaving his lady to return to Milan at her
leisure, he took post for Paris with all possible
expedition, where he had been for fortnight,
before the neglected marchesa, who had re-
turned home, discovered the singular error in
the compass, by which her husbands course to
Rome had been diverted, by means of friend
ly letter apprizing her that her husband was
incessant in attentions to the blondest of beau
ties, and her constant escort to the Theatre
Italian, and other places of amusement
The lady called her brother to her counsels,
and they concluded to follow the marquis to
Paris without delay. Previous to her departure,
the lady was busy in making researches of
IL
during its intestine broils had furnished tradi-
tons and memories of melancholy catastrophes
by steel and poison, and MOTIF were the modes
by which sure and sudden death might be in
fiicted.
myself was shown, ut Ravenna, in 1916, by
the present Countess of Boissy, Ola Guicciola
of Lord Byron,) one of those poignards with
blades of crystal, manufactured at the Lagunian
Island of Murano, in the cavity of which was
subtle poison, and which, upon the
blade being broken in the body, became diff
fused in the blood of the victim and caused
certain death.
In the archives of the family of the jealous
lady were notices of an heirloom, in form of a
ring, concealed in the setting of which was
small gold globe, and in the interior of which
was inserted IL poison similar in its effects to
prussic acid. This could be borne in the mouth
without danger, unless crushed between the
teeth, and then instant death would follow.
Securing this valuable jewel, the deserted
marchesa arrived at Paris, and was received
into the house of her kind friend, married to
fnancier of eminence in the city, and man of
calculated to disturb her, she learned that her
husband was, the next Monday, to attend the
fair widow to ball, to be given at the house of
q former deputy of the Session which, with
many other things, was broken up in 1S4S.
To this ball her friend consented to accom-
pany her, and the hour impatiently expected at
length arrived. ROBBED in black velvet, with
rich laces, which set off to advantage her clear
dark eyes and hair, she was superb
she was dazzling. With fire in her eyes,
majestic in her department, the naughty beauty
strobe through the room, (the crowd opening as
she advanced, and proceeding to little salon
lighted by lamps among the flowers, and at
some distance from the orchestra. There she
awaited her dreaded rival and her companion,
intending to appear suddenly before them, con-
found the lady, freeze her inconstant husband
BY glance, and then to complete the catas-
trophe. @e III
The pair arrived. Taking her friend by the
hand the marchesa arose, putting into her
mouth at the same time the fatal ball. The
metal is thin, and at the least compression of
The teeth the deadly fluid would be elected and
she would fall a corpse before the thunder
stricken pair. Behold this beautiful woman
receiving attentions with smile upon her
and holding in her mouth the
subtle poison which was soon to consume her,
and yet with an aspect of apparent satisfaction
The marquis was Waiting with his beautiful.
blonde. Restraining her emotion, the marchesa
chose q station where, in the turns of the dance,
she would have the most favorable position to
burst upon them, when q conversation between
\ neighboring couple attracted her attention.
tDo you see," said young man, "the
Baronne de -? How elegant she is this
evening! How beautiful, how animated! Who
IS that with whom she is waltzing?'
can Italian-a Roman, believe-who, they
say, adores her for her beautiful blonde tresses;
'atiated, perhaps, by the dark-haired damsels
If the eternal city,"
ssThe fair tresses of the Baronne'' said
third one, who had Joined the other two as the
began; truly, they are very
charming. but my sister, who was in the same
convent with her, says they are false; and if
you examine closely the enormous coviring.
you will perceive it is not native to the head"
At this moment the breathless dancers halted
hear the group. The marquis was addressing
some words to his partner, which caused his
listening wife to think of the ball she carried
n her mouth, while the baroness was readjust-
ng her dress, and passing carefully her hand
'ver the back Of her head, as if to be assured
hat all was safe in that quarter.
Suddenly new though seemed to possess the
INJURED marchesa: she dropped the poisoned
,all from her mouth into her bosom, rushed
lpon her rival from behind, and seizing her by |
he hair, detached the magnificent mass Of
inglets from the Uranium, and threw it on the
Ioor! ,sf sasa 5a.=
The marquis, whose eyes were for an instant
Inverted from his partner, turned as she shrieked
loud, with fury in his eyes, prepared to avenge
Ter, and beheld his mistress, like Sampson of |
Id, shorn Of her conquering tresses, and his |
uperb wife frowning in all the majesty ofan |
fended beauty! What a tableau!
The marquis was astounded and Supplied, and |
he lady, recovering her good sense and good
emper, took him by the hand and led him |
to the ante-chamber.
.Forgive me" she whispered in his ear, "for
aving disarmed my adversary" and carried |
i'm away.
The Wednesday following, the roconciled |
ouple set out for Milan, the best friend in the |
torld, and withal the most afectioaAte lovers. /
hut for the discounted Baroness -, she is a |
most amiable parsonage, and am in despair |
hat any one should have torn from her one of |