The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-08-02
THE YELLOW DOMINO.

4uO LULU Va eAA AAS~A1Odo @-~-SNAa
During the latter part of the
reign of Louis XIV, of France,
masquerades were in high estima-
ton, and public ones wero often
given at immense cost, on court
days and other occasions of rejolc-
ing. To these latter, persons of
all ranks, who could afford to pur-
chase a ticket, were admissible;
and accordingly rencontres fire.
quently took place at them, and
exhibitions almost as curious IN
the way of disguise as in the as
sumption of character.
Little adventures of an amusing
character were at that period not
at all uncommon; and indeed, at
these entertainments strange
groups and character were often
purpesely concerted by their di-
rectors and managers.
At other times feats of legerde-
main or activity were performed;
and on one occasion, it is well
known, a Genoese-the Ducrow of
his day-waiked upon a tight
rope surrounded 10y fireworks
which made him visible to all
Paris from the top of one of the
towers of the metropolitan cathe-
dral OF Notre dame into the win
dow of house near an opposite
bridge called Pont au Change.
Perhaps, however, the most
whimsical among the genuine sur
prises 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 pc
culiarly magnificent characterize
much SO, that the details of it are
given at q great length by hIstor-
ians of the day-the strange be-
havior of parsonage in q yellow
domino excited general attention
very early in the evening. This
mask, in short, who, If we accept
tallness with the most robust pro-
portions, showed nothing remark
able as to figure, seemed to be gift
ed with an appetite not merely
past all human conception, but
exceeding even the widest fancies
Of romance. Even
The dragon of old, who churches arc
When full of good people on Sunday,
Whole congregations were to him
But u dish OF salmagundi-
even he was but nibbler-a mere
Jackey- Go Easy-to this stranger
of the yellow domino, who with an
alacrity and perseverance as as
tonishing as it was edifying,
went from room to room, and from
one refreshment table to another,
not merely tasting, but devouring,
devastating all before him! At
one sideboard he cody dispatched
a fowl, two-thirds of ham, and
half dozen bottles of champagne,
and the very next moment he was
found seated in another apartment
performing the same feat with a
stomach even keener than the first.
This strange course was persever-
ed in steadily the whole evening,
until the company, who had at
first been much amused by it, be
came alarmed and unruly.
as it the same mask, or are
there several dominosp demanded
an officer of the guard, as the vel
low domino rose from seat op-
posite to him and quilted the
apartment.
al have seen but one, and, by
Heaven, here he is againp exclaim-
ed the party to whom the query
was addressed.
The yellow domino spoke not a
word, but proceeded straight to
the vacant seat which he had just
left, and again commenced sup
ping as though he had tasted q
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 high
nessp' exclaimed an old noble,
"saving your royal highness' pres
ence; or wants but q tail to be
so.
"Say, rather, he is some poor,
furnishing poet, by his Appetite %
replied the Prince, laughing.
"But there must be some juggle in
all this; he spills the wine, and
hides the provisions under his
dress"
"Your highness shall immediat.
ly witness the absence OF juggle, u
continued the nobleman, "with
your own eyes, for see," and he
pointed to the door of the apart
mont from which the yellow domino
had that instant emerged, and was
as usual, proceeding directly tt
the refreshment table.
Having seated himself will
much apparent complacency, tn,
yellow domino, selling a bottle be
fore him, drank glass after glas
with q gustO and avidity for a
least half.a-dozen rounds trul,
astonishing. But thls appeare'
to be a mere preliminary move
ment for clearing the way for
solid and serious mastication, 70
immediately after he boldly attack
ed fowl which lay invitingly bC
fore him and which, cut by Gu
now began to disappear by Who'll
wings and legs at a time.
The prince, accompanied by hi
courtiers looked on in silenc'
while the old nobleman, who ha
formerly spoken, solemnly assure
him that he had seen him do thi
three times.
"Thrioe, my lord9-thrice2" il
terrupted another courtier, in ratl
er . contemptuous tone; "why,
can pledge my honor that / hay
seen him at it eight times
sfSay ten times my lord duke
cried another, and you are nearC
the truth"
"And nearer still if you say Fl
teen, said the Marquis LIE Ver'
al have watched the fellow tn
whole aveninO- and can aasuY