Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-07-16
MiscELLAHE GUS.
THE YELLOW DOMINO.

- UR1SG the latter part of the reign of
Louis Nv, 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 ticket, were admissible and
accordingly renconters 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 those entertain
ments strange groups and characters were
often purposely concerted by their directors
and managers.
AT other times feats of legerdemain or ac>
tivity we're performed and on one occasion,
it is we'll known, Genoese-the Ducrow of
his day-walked upon a tight,rope, sur
rounded by fireworks, which made him WIS.,
ible to all Paris, from the top of ono of the
towers of the metropolitan cathedral Of No
tire Dame into the window Of a house near an
opposite bridge called Point 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
"HiSh NA'S OIACSh oOh Va 4@OuIS ~
attained his majority.
AT this fete, which wss of q peculiarly
magnificent character, so much SO, that the
details of it are given at great length ny his
toriars of the day-the strange behavior of
person in 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 remarkable as to figure; seemed to
be grifted with an appetite not merely past
all human conception, but exceeding even
the widest fancies of romance. Even
''The dragon of old; who churches ate
When full of good people on Sunday:
Whole congregations were to him
even he was but q nibbler-a mere Jaskey-
go> >Easy-to this stranger of the yellow dom
ino, who, with nlactity and perseverance as
astonishing as it was edifying, went from
room to room, and not merely tasting, but
devouring, devastating all before him !! At
one sidesboard he coolly dispatched a fowl,
two-thirds of hahn, and half dozen bottles
of champagne, and the very next moment he
was found seated in another apartment per-
forming the same feat with a stomach even
keener than the first. This strange course
WAS persevered in steadily the whole evening,
until the company, who had at first been
much amused by it, became alike alarmed
and unruly.
"Is it the same mask or are there se7efal
doninoes 2" demanded an officer of the
guard, as the yellow domino rose from his
sest opposite him and Quilted the room.
al have seen but the one, and, by Heaven,
here he is again p 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 sup
ping as though he had tasted for a whole
month Of Sundays.
At length the confusion which this pro-
ceediug created became universal, and the
cause of the clamor reached the ears of the
Dsuphin.
"He is the very devil, your higbDess j"
exclaimed a noble, Saving your royal high>
ness's presence or wants but a tail to be
So"
"Say, rather; he is some poor, famished
poet, by appetite" replied the prince, laugh
ing. But there must be some juggling in
all this; he spills the WING, and hides the
provisions under his dress"
your Eighness shall immediately witness
the absence ofjuggle;" continued the Doble>
man. "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 di-
rectly to the refreshtnent-ta
Having seated himself with much sppat-
ent complacency, the yellow domino, seizing
a bottle before him, drank glass after glass
with gusto and avidity for at least one-balf
dozen rounds truly astonishing. But thisap-
peared to be a mere preliminary movement
Tor clearing tho way for solid and serious