The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-06-15
OUR STORY TELLER.
THE YELLOW DOMINO.

The YELLOW DUMlNO.
During the latter part of the reign of
Louis XIV, of France, masquerades were
in high estimation, and public ones were
often given at immense cost, on court
days and other occasions of rejoicing.
To these latter, persons of all ranks,
who could afford to purchase a ticket,
were admissible; and accordingly rem
conters 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 anus.
ing character were at that period not at
all uncommon; and, indeed, at these en-
tertainments strange groups and charac-
ters were often purposely concerted by
their directors and managers.
At other times feats of legerdemain or
activity were performed and on one
occasion, it is we'll known, Genoese-
the Ducrow of his day-walked upon a
tight-rope, surrounded by fireworks,
which made him visible to all Paris,
from the top of one of the towers of the
metropolitan cathedral of Notre Dame
into the window of house near an
opposite bridge called the Pont au
Change.
Perhaps, however, the most whimsical
among the genuine surprises recorded at
any of those spectacles was that which
occurred in Paris ON the 18th of October,
the day on which the Dauphin, eldest
son of Louis XIV, attained his majority.
At this fete, which was of a peculiarly
oh far lot
the details of it are given at great length
by historians of the day-the strange be-
havior of person in a yellow domino
excited general attention very early in
the evening. This mask, in short, who,
if we except tallness with the most
robust proportions, showed nothing re-
markable as to figure, seemed to be
gifted with an appetite not merely past
all human conception, but exceeding
even the widest fancies of romance.
Even
d" 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 a nibbler-a Nero
Jackey Go- Easy to this stranger of the
yellow domino, who, with an alacrity
edifying, went from room to room, and
from one refreshments table to another,
not merely tasting, but devouring, de-
vastating all before him! At one side.
board he coolly dispatched a fowl, two
thirds of ham, and half-a-dozen bot
ties of champagne, and the very next
moment he was found seated in another
apartment performing the same feat
with a stomach even keeuer than the
first. This strange course was perse-
vered in steadily the whole evening, I'M
til the company, who had at first been
much amused by it, became alike
alarmed and unruly.
g Is it the same mask, or are there
several dominos?" demanded an officer
of the guard, as the yellow domino rose
from seat opposite to him and quilted
the apartment.
have seen but one, and, by Heaven,
here he is again" exclaimed the party
to whom the query was addressed.
The yellow domino spoke not word,
but proceeded straight to the vacant
seat which he had just left, and again
commenced supping as though he had
tasted for whole month of Sundays.
At length the confusion which this
proceeding created became universal,
and the cause of the clamor reached the
ears of the Dauphin.
!" He is the very devil, your highness p'
exclaimed noble, saving your royal
highness's presence; or wants but tail
to be So"
"Say, rather, he is some poor, fam
ished poet, by his appetite" replied the
prince, laughing. "But there must
be some juggling in all this; he spills
the wine, and hides the provisions I'M
der his dress"
Your highness shall Immediately
witness the absence of juggle," con-
tinued the nobleman, "with your own
eyes, for see," and he pointed to the
door of the apartment from which the
yellow domino had that instant emerged,
and was, as usual, proceeding directly
to the refreshment-table.
Having seated himself with much
apparent complacency, the yellow DOM
inc. Selling bottle before him, drank
glass after glass with gusto and avidity
for at least half-a-dozen rounds truly
astonishing. But this appeared to be a
mere preliminary movement for clearing
the way for solid and serious mastica-
ton, for Immediately after he boldly at
tackled fowl which lay most invitingly
before him, and which, cut by cut, now
began to disappear by whole wings and
legs at 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 three times.
"Thrice, my lord ?-thrice?" inter-
rupted another courtier, in rather con-
temptuous tones; why, can pledge nv
honor that | have seen him at it eight
times"
"Say ten times, my lord duke" cried
another, "and you will be nearer the
truth"
And nearer still if you say fifteen, "
said the Marquis LIE Verd. 81 have
watched the fellow this whole evening,
and | can assure your highnsss this il
the fifteenth time that I have witnessed
his repasts."
"Say you SOP replied the prince,
all curiosity Gail the master of the
ceremonies; we are anxious to know a
little more of our guest"
The master of the ceremonies, how