River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-12-02
MISCELLANY.
LAU UN: The STORY OLA FAMOUS
COURTIER

La UZUN: The STORY OLA FAMOUS
COURTIER
A ball at the Hotel de scissors.
Spring had scarcely dawned upon the
outer world, but the world of fashion
rose superior to the tardy rotation Of the
seasons, and here summer was at its
meridIan-the walls aIHl ceilings covered
with immense masses of foliage the long
galleries turfed so as to resemble the
most symmetrical lawns the staircases
strewn layishly with the roses of Fonten-
ay; the lamps shining forth from the
depths of gigantic ltavcs, like immense
tropical flowers. 1t was a summer gar
den-an Eden in the very center of
Paris
Olympic, Countess of scissors, some.
time invorite Of the grand monarque.
niece of the late all-powerful cardinal,
had imagined this entertainment as a
means of restoring herself to the good
graces OF tho king, who had no sympathy
with sorrOwfIl faces and who loved
dancing very passionately. She had
some right to congratulate herself on the
success of her expedient, when Louis him
self delgned to suggest, in the graceful
language which was ever the property of
royalty, that, as shepherds were wont to
celebrate with dances the return OF
spring, the hall the countess was about
to give should be invested with the char
acter of tete chdmpefre, he himself APP
pearing in the character of TirciS.
"My dear Olympic" he added, softly,
in her delighted ear, 81 will send you my
violins!"
Not to be alone in wearing masquerade,
his majesty also expressed mis- wishes
that there should be a qIadrille Of four
shepherds with the shepherdesses chosen
from the ellie of the court. The music
was to be composed by Baptiste, and the
steps and figures marvelj Of intricacv,
lightness, and originaity-were to be
learned and practiced in the greatest
secrecy.
The evening arrived, and, after opening
the ball with his cousin Louise of0reans,
the royal Tircis. realizing the most rO-
mantle visions Of pastoral beauty by the
grace and suavity Of his demeanor, re.
tired to the side ofthe young queen, and
throwing himself into a fduleuit, pre-
pared TO become aspectator Of the ''quad-
rifle dss bergerS." The violins gave the
signal three cavaliers, dressed as shep-
herds, advanced, leading their shepherd.
eSseS. But where was the fourth The
duchess of Valentnois, after looking for a
moment helplessly round, appeared alone
at her post. All eyes were yainly en-
ployed in seeking for the absent shepherd.
The name of NJ. de Villequier was re-
peated anXiously on all sides. The mas
ters of the ceremonies rushed about the
rooms calling for the lost dancer with the
most lamentable vociferations The king
himself was seen to frowD, and the gem
coal distress was at it's height, when a
hrung man, dressed in the ordinary hab.
ilmcnts of the court, emerged from the
crowd and seized the hand of Nine. de
V6fentinois, who gave him a friendly
smile, and the quadrile proceeded.
Not only did the unknown execute
with precision the figures which had been
practiced with so much secrecy, showing
himself thereby perfect master of
court mysteries, but he added en-
broideries Of his own to the complicated
steps which had been combined by the
directear deS ballets himself, and appear
ed in grace and agility as much superior
to his companions, whose efforts we're so
serious and studied, as poetry is to prose
Murmurs Of astonishment arose on all
sides. The assembly, which had been
thrown into such CONSERVATION at the
fear Of a catastrophe which appeared in.
cvitabe, was seized with enthusiasm
But who, then, was this unknswnl A
dancing master, suggested one; but that
was negatived by NJ. de Rochefoucault.
No amount Of study could ever give
the true nobility Of character which dis.
tinguished man we'll born and bred.
would engage this gentleman is Of the
best blood in France"
Ills name for PHYS sake! !" implored
dozen melodious voices.
III know it, said NJ de Vileroy. ole
is one OF the old illustrious family Of tho
Caumonts. lie is called Lauzun."
"A cousin Of the Marechal de Gar
mont -
And Nine. de Valentines has o.
course revealed to him the secret instruc
tons Of the hallet.master All now TIA,
mystery is cleared up.
"What a beautiful figure ~
Not tall, but so light and elegant"
"rhe same style as the king
"rhe prettiest leg in the court
and such beautiful fair hair y
Such were the encomiums passed upor
the young stranger by the spectators o
his marvellous d3bm and when the king
having summoned him to his side, wa
seen leaning gracefully at ease in the
embrasure ola Sindow his crook lai,
ssdc, his left hand hidden in the folds o