The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-02-15


this, which came under my own knowledge
when was young student in Paris. A,
this period, masks were very much in fash.
ion, and not only was this the case a
public entertainments, but even at private
houses it was usual to give masked balls.
The greatest vigilance had, Of course, to be
exercised on entrance, where each person
was compelled to show his or her card Of
invitation, and also to write down theis
names; but the respectability of the com.
pany being thus assured, such parties had
certainly greater piquancy than those at
which you knew everybody at first sight.
Great cleverness was often exhibited in
concealing ones identity, and detecting
that Of others while, in the case of stran.
gers, it was not unusual for couple who
had made themselves very agreeable to one
another, to unmask, that each might be.
come acquainted with the features of 50
charming partner. This was, Of course,
effected in some secluded corner, or behind
pillar; and it was understood that If the
parties should meet on any future occasion,
it should rest with the lady to make re.
cognition of the gentleman, or not, as she
pleased. Those disclosures were in rare
instances not little Disappointing but
ain thankful to say that in my youth I
possessed sort Of instinct for beauty
which never led me to throw away my at.
tention upon objects that were unworthy
OF it, except in one remarkable instance.
least half:a dozen times, and 6ad always
found her particularly lively and agreeable.
She had ringing musical laugh, which
thrilled through me like the song of bird,
and certified, at least, that my unknown
partner was young and light.hearted.
knew, too, she must be we'll connected,
since met her at the best houses in my
visiting list, and it was not so easy to 20
everywhere in Paris as il. is now. She
danced most exqui,i ely, and had evidently
the incest ear for music. But the provok-
ing part of her was, that could never get
her to unmask. Upon my second meeting,
l had indiscreetly gone the length Of
unmaskng myself; but, although had no
reason to imagine that she was otherwise
than pleased, she would by no means re.
clprocate the compliment. do not say
that l was in love with ore whom I had
never seen, but was greatly piqued At her
obstlnacY, which caused me to devote my.
self to her all the mere. One evening, at
the hotel Of the Spanish ambassador, the
sprIghtliness and wit Of my incognita were
more irresistible than ever. We had got
to talk upon all kinds Of subjects by this
time, and even to continue conversation
at the point at which We left it off at our
last meeting.
Her information was deep and various,
considering her tender years, which was
c'nvinced-and rightly, as it turned out
could not much eaceed seventeen, and her
Judgment singularly logical. Upon this
occasion, she well nigh drove me mad, be-
cause she would not condesc.nd to show
the reality Of that countenance, about
which had made so many rapturous
guesses. In the end, we quarrelled about
it. had the madness to protest, upon the
word of gentleman, that I would never
speak to her again after that night, if she
did not unmask. could see that this af.
fected her powerfully, and therefore /
repeated the threat with even greater en-.
phasis.
"Then," replied she, with On inexpressi.
BILE melancholy, I'VE shall never converse
again, for have sworn to myself that you
shall never look upon my face"
1t vas impossible to doubt her determ-
ination, and was exceedingly sorry that
my importantly had brought matters to
such crisis. .Stay," cried I II po~ed
| would never speak to you again, if you
did not unmask; did not say, unless I
saw your face. You can turn you, back
to me, and uncover your features without
my sa.ins them, and thus both our resolves
will be kept, and yet we shall not lose each
others society, which in my case (for men
were polite in those days. would be equiv.
alent to death. DOOM"
We were quite alone when I spoke this.
She stepped from me some ten PAGES, so
that could not have secured her domino,
had intended such a breach of good.
manners, turned her back to me, and un.
masked. thought should have swooned
upon the spot. Luckily, my own mask
was on, which prevented my features from
exhibiting the disgust at what beheld,
and which it was impossible they COULD
have concealed.
| had made my proposition to the poor
girl because there was an immense mirror
at the end of the apartment, which, as she
had her back to it while she spoke, she had
not herself perceived. I foresaw that l
should see the reflection Of her counter.
ance quite clearly, and on. Heaven I did.
1t is unnecessary 10 shock you with the
description Of what was indeed most
horrible. She replaced her mask, and
turned towards me, and then, although
did not speak, or betray myself in any
way, as l thought, and though az I have
said, vas masked, she perceived that I
knew her secret, and dropped insensble
upon the floor. A crowd Of course col.
lected but would suffer no one to remove
her domino ana presently two ladies', who
were her relations, came up, and taking
her into her their charge, carried her of
from the ball.
Let me add that the poor girls counten.
ance was such as the poet Moore describes
As belonging to the false prophet Mokanna;
and really felt exceedingly like Zelica
when she took her FIRST look At it. after
wards learned her history. Her counten.
ance had been muiilated by some terrible
disease, which had attacked her almost in
infancy and she had undergone with
marvellous fortitude the most frightful
operations, with scarcely any benefit. At
eleven years of age, it was impossible that
she could appear in pubic except masked,
and yet e!.s had the srcates. longing sor
society, and amuscments Of all kinds. She
had taught herself drawing by watching,
through glass door, the lessons impaired
to her sisters. The love Of admiration in
women could scarcely be more powerfully
illustrated than in the case Of this unhappy
girl.
"WHAR's THE FRONT pit is well
known that Wheeler has some splendid
troops, and some that are as bad as can be
found. These last are scattered from the
Ohio river to Savannah. A gallant soldier
tells the following:
Gle was going through North Alabama