The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-01-10
Miscellany.



Ari.tocratic shawl thieves
The Duchess d Abrantes relates tl,e 'otiow-
ing tbefts which at the time aSltated the
fashionable world Of Paris: a-asa. B
8 At "a morning reception in the Tuileries,
the shawl of the Countess de St. Martin had
heen stolen; and that lady was very much
distressed at the loss. Tor the cashmere was
not only a present from Madam Murat, but
was one OF uncommon beauty. on account OF
the rarity OF the design, consisting of paro-
quets in artistic groups, instead of the ordina-
ry palm. The Countess was therefor untr-
ing in recounting to every one her irrepar-
able loss, and uttered bitter curses against
the bold female who had stolen her urea
sure. W. rs sIes3 fr
"A week AFTER says the Duchess, 'at a ball
given by Minister Talieyrand, the Countess
came toward me with bright countenanee
and told me that she had just now found her
shawl. and, strange to say, upon the should
ers of young lady at the ball."
3 .But," said to her. lyon will not accuse
this lady before the whole company"
Sand why not?"
because that would be wrong Leave
this matter to me-" -..-
r. She would not at first. but l pressed the
subject on her consideration, and she agreed
: db length 10 reUldlu SOluCWudb uCuiuu Wuuc L
approached the young lady, who stood near
the door, and was just going to leave the
ball room. | told her in low voice that in
all probability she had made mistake; that
she had perhaps mislaid her own cashmere,
and had through earelessness taken the shawl
of the Countess ST. Martin, .a.--.
was as polite as could possibly be in
such communication; but the young lady
looked at me unplessantly for such an lmper-
ard ronlipd that Gcinaa bo
time the Countess de St. Martin had deafen-
ed the ears OF every one with the story of
the stolen shawl, she had ample leisure to
recognize as her property the cashmere she
wore,' Her mother, who stood few steps
from her, and was conversing with another
lady, turned tow~rd her when she heard her
daughter speak in SO loud a tone. But the
Countess de st. Martin, who overheard that
? she had "deaiened the ears of every one with
her story of her stolen SHAWL" rushed to the
rescue of her case.
"This cashmere belongs to me-" said she
haughtiy-seizing,a at the same time, the shawl
with one hand, while the young lady with
her fist thrust her back violently. l saw that
in a moment they would come to blows.
at will be easy to end this difficulty" said
], to the Countess de ST. Martin. MADAME
will be kind enough to tell us where she has
purchased this shawl which is so much like
yours, and tuen you will see your mistake
and be satisfied" .
1T does not suit me 70 tel where / got
this shawl replied the lady looking me con-
temptuously in the face: there is no necess-
ity tor my telling you where purchased it,"
swell, tnen," exclaimed eagerly the Coun-
tess de Martin, you confess, madame, that
the shawl belongs to you?"
"The other answered with a sarcastic smile,
and drew the shawl closer to her shoulders.
A few persons, attracted by the stranoeness
of such scene, had gathered around us, and
seemed to wait for the end ofso extraordina-
ry an event.
Ia The Countess continued with very loud
voice: ~ rasa 1a,a sfds gaa res
swell, then, Madame, since the shawl be-
longs to you, you can explain to me why the
name OF Christine, which is my first name, is
embroidered in red silk on the small edging.
Madame Junot viii be kind enough to look
tor this name."
''.Fhe young woman became pale as death.
shall never, during my life, forget the de-
spairlng look which she gave me, as with
trembling hand she passed me the shaw, just
as her father appeared from room near the
place OF the scene. i took the cashmere with
an unsteady hand, and sought reluctantly for
the name OF Christine, for l trusted she would
{ at least have taken it out; but the deatbly
pale ness OF the guilty one told the contrary,
and, in fact, had no sooner unolded the
shawl than the name appeared, embroidered
at the narrow edging
"'Ahp at last exclaimed the Countess, in
triumphant tone, Il have; but as she raised
her eyes to the Young woman, she was touch
ed by her despairing look. We'll, them CT led
she, sthis is one OF those mistakes which so
often happen. Tomorrow will return your
cashmere. We have exchanged cashmeres,'
said she, turning to the young lady's father,
who surprised at seeing her naked shoulders,
gazed at his daughter, not understanding the
matter. You will have the goodness to send
me my shawl Tomorrow added she, noticing
how the young woman trembled.
I'VE returned into the ball room, and the
next day the young lady sen. to the Countess
de st. Martin her precious shawl"
Something similar to- this happened at
the same time to Madame HGmeline She
was at a ball; when rising from her seat to
join in contra dance, she left there a very
beautiful black shawl; when she returned,
her shawl was no longer there, but she saw it
on the shoulders OF well known and distin-
guished lady. Approaching her, she said
Madame, you have my shawlp'
"Not at ALL Madame!'
- But, Madame, this is my shawl, and as an
evidence, can state the number of its palms
) 1t has. exactly thirteen-a very unusual
number"
Putt said Madame Hameliue, 81 have
torn It, and by that means recognize my
"'Ah, my goodness! my shawl has also
been torn that is precisely why bought it,
! for obtained it on that account somewhat
cheaper ~
at is useless to dispute with person who
Il is determined TO follow Basil's receipt, that
what is worth taking is worth Keeping
Madame Hamlin lost her shawl, and had, as
a sole consolation. the petty vengeance OF re-
latiDg to everybody how it was taken, and of
pointing out the thief, who was in the mean
while perfectly shameless" 1A NlFT