West Feliciana sentinel. (St. Francisville, La.) 1876-1877, 1877-03-24

VIC published the statement thai
the distinguished gentlemen sent
from the North to see fair couns
in Louisiana had attended an oct0.
room ball. believing it to be hoax.
Since then, however, we have sworn
testimony to the fact that the emiA
nent statesmen did attend such en-.
tertainment and took part in the
same.
We can ses after reflection that
this was not only allowable but
commendable under the circumstan::
ces. MIR. Ditty, gentleman Of
Baltimore, one Of the distinguished
men and inestimable citizens. we
learn, informed the committee that
he had tolu his good lady about it,
and he gave US 10 understand that
if size did not approve at least she
:orgave him.
Whether the other distinguished
gentleman followed This wise and
prudent course we are not inform
I'd. 1t would have been more pru-
dent. and probably have saved
them the SANDER and libel suits
now sprinying up to vindication aud
explanation; and they could have
toid their wives, as we now tell
the public, thet as these eminent
gentlemen were sent to investigate
state of aft .irs quite out of f<lheir
line of life. it was their duty 10 in
vestigate in all directions. Leave
no stones unturned, as it were.
1t was. aside from the political
bearings of the subject, a rare opA
portunity for the study of human
nature as developed under returning
boa, d. bayonets and carpet -baggers.
There is deal of human nature in
petticoats. the world well knows,
and it's peculiar phase in New Orr
leans, as shown at an octoroon ball,
was something the solemn old pumps
could not forbear. So they went.
We get the details from the elo-
quent utterance> OF our old friend
the Hon.. Pig-Iron Kelley. It calls
tor his flow of language, his play
of fancy and round. full voice, to
do the subject justice. Such are
req aired 10 fetch before one the
paiatiai house-the gorgeous finish
and furnish OF the same and the ex.
qdisite mus!c-not OF the Union nor
the future-but rather of the "las-
civious pleasings of the lutte" spoken
by of Richard ILL.,, a little before
he counted himself in through a
returning board Of his own crea-
ton. Then the dusky beauties of
the burning ~octh, so elegantly at>
tired, so graceful in manner. so
-prightly in conversation, that.
without refreshments, without tho
champagne frappe and the dance
they were charming.
OF course the venerable Solons
on a stndy-of- human-nature bent
could not stand about like so many
ieatherless owls staring at these
seductive females and impeainS
their youthful joy. The Hon. Pig.
Iron Kelly selected the celebrated
octaroon OF the pink eyes, and all
The rest, save Judge Trumbuil,
who, after one mp, was taken
with a pain and retired, went in.
In the dance that followed the
Hon. Pig~Iron excelled in agility.
lie peri, ctly amazed the crowd.
He never danced lower than the
bottom of chair, and some of his
more successful leaps were accom-
panied by yells that, coming from
his capacious lungs. almost lifted
the ceilings aud made the lovely
octoroons selze their back hair
with an instructive impulse oorn of
a belief that an Indian was Oh
hand.
Hon. John Sherman shone in the
senatorial dignity that he imposed
in the dance. He seemed all tho
time to be rising TO address tho
President of the Senate. And this
gave a pleasing variety to the en-
tertainment. 1t served to quiet
down the exubarancc of our old boy,
the Hon. Pig-Iron.
The Hon. Job stevenson excelled
in grace Of movement. The lovely
octoroons were qnite enthusiastic
in their admiration Of the Hon. Job,
and freely expl essed the belief that
le won d shine in the ballet.
Governor Palmer exhibited great
skill in turning corners. At the
most ori,;cal monoutS whnn If wos