The weekly Butte record., 1861-02-02
The Yellow Domino.


Nv, of France, masquerades were in high es-
timation, and public ones were often given. at
immense cost, on court days and other occa-
sions of rejoicing. To these latter. persons of
all rank, who could afford to purchase ticket,
were admissible; and accordingly rencontres
frequently took place at them, and exhibitions,
almost as curious in the way of Disguise as in
the assumption Of character.
Little chance adventures of an amusing
character were at that period, not at all un-
common and, indeed, at these entertainments,
strange groups and characters were often pur-
posely concerted by their directors aud mana
gers.
| At other times, feats of legerdemain or ac-
tiyity were performed and. on one occasion
it is well known, Genoesc--the Ducrow of
his day walked upon tight rope, surrounded
by fireworks which made him visible to all
Paris-lrom the top of one Of the towers of
the metropolitan cathedral of Notre Dame, into
the window of house near an opposite bridge
called Poat au Change
Perhaps, however, the most whimsical of all
the genuine surprises recorded at any of those
spectacles, was that which occurred in Paris
on the 10th of October, the day on which the
Dauphin, eldest son of Louis Nv, attained
his majority
AT this fete which was of peculiarly mag
nifcent character much so, that the details
Of it are given at great length by historians of
the day-the strange behavior of parsonage
in yellow domino excited general attention
very early in the evening. The mark, in short,
who, if we expect tallness and the most robust
proportions, showed nothing remarkable as to
figure, seemed to be gifted with an appetite,
not merely past human conception, but exceed
ing even the widest fancies Of romance. Even
q The dragon Of old, who churches ate,
When full of good people on Sunday;
Whole congregations were to him,
But dish of salmagundi''-
Even he was but nibbler-a mere Jackey-
Go-Easy-to this stranger of the yellow domi
no, who, with an alacrity and perseverance as
astonishing as it was edfying, went from room
to room, and from one refreshment table to
another not merely tasting, but devourng. de
vastating all before him At one sideboard
he coolly dispatched fowl, two-thrds of a
ham, and half dozen bottles of champagne
and the very next moment he was found seated
in apartment performing the same feat,
with a stomach even keener than the first
This strange course was persevered in steadily
the whole evening, until the company, who had
at first been much amused by it, became alike
alarmed and unruly.
Is it the same mask, or are there several
dominos ?" demanded an officer Of The guard,
as the yellow domino rose from seat oppo-
sitet to him, and quilted the apartment
Il have seen but one; and by heaven, here
he is again !" exclaimed the party to whom the
query way addressed
The yellow domino spoke not a word but
proceeded straight to the vacant seat which he
had just left, and again commenced supping as
though he had fasted a whole month of Sun
days.
At length the confusion which this proceed
ing created became universal and the cause
of the clamor reached the ears of the Dauphin
" He is the very devil, your highness" !" ex-
claimed an old nobleman, Saving your royal
highness's presence or wants tail to be So"
"Say, rather, he is some poor famished
poet, by his appetite, replied the pricne laugh
ing. But there must be some jugele in all
this; he spills the wine, and hides the provis-
ions under his dress"
Your highness shall Immediately witness
the absence of juggle,' continued the noble
man, ''with your own eyes, for sce'-and he
pointed to the door of the apartment from
which the yellow domino had that moment
emerged, and was, as usual, proceeding direct
ly to the refreshment table
Having seated himself with much apparent
complacency, the yellow domino. seizing a bot
tie before him, drank glass after glass with
gusto and avidity for some half dozen rounds
truly astonishing. But this appeared to be a
mere preliminary movement for clearing the
way for more solid and serious mastication, for
Immediately thereafter he boldly attacked a
fowl which lay most invitingly before him, and
which, by cut and cut, now began to disap-
pear by whole wings and legs at a time.
The prince, accompanied by his courtiers
looked on in silence, while the old nobleman
who had formerly spoken, solemnly assured
him that he had seen him do that feat thrice
"Thrice, my lord?" interrupted another
courtier, in rather a contemptuous tone, "why
can pledge my honor that have seen him
at it eight times"
"Say ten times, my lord duke exclaimed
another, "and you are nearer the truth"
"And nearer still if you say fifteen" said the
Marquis lie Verd / have watched the fel-
low this whole evening. and I can assure your
highness this is the fifteenth time I have wit
messed his repasts."
Say you so ;" replied the prince. all Gu
riosity. " Call the master of the ceremonies
we are anxious to know a little more of our