Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-01-31
FILTRATION OF a COUNTESS

FILTRATION OF a COUNTESS
No other city except Rome gives
itself up so completely to the intoxi-
eating pleasures and excuses of the
carnival season as does Madrid. Dur.
ing this annual period the people re
sign all labor and devote themselves
systematically to the greatest freedom
often over-steppIng the bounds OF
propriety and becoming forgetful OF
selfrespect. But the carnival period
IL accepted as being sufficient excuse
for nearly any imprudcnce short Of
murder.
1t is TO give the reader a picture OF
an occurrence OF Madrid during the
carnival that we have taken up our
pen The circumstance which we
shall relate transpired but few years
ago Ii never became very public,
but was whispered about among the
courts of Europe, and We believe fl.
nally got into the newspapers of Lon
don and Paris
AS we have said, il was during the
carnival season and one of the most
distinguished ladies of the court gave
masked ball, to which all the privi-
legged class of citizens and people OF
rank, including the several embassies
were invited The Spaniards are
proverbially hospitable and on such
occasions each member of the embas-
sizes is permitted to invite any of his
countrymen who may chance to be in
the city.
Our fellow countryman, Bayard
Taylor, ore Of the most extensive
travellers Of the day, CHANGED at the
time to be in Madrid, and, as was Gus
tomary, received an invitation to the
the masked ball to which we refer. 1t
has been more than limited also, that
it was through Mr.. Taylor that the
facts Of the following romantic story
got first whispered about. Bat GER
tain it IS that Mr.. Taylor or any mem.
Der OF the American embassy can ver-
ily the facts.
General Arieta was as well known
in Madrid few years since as the
Duke OF Wellington was in London.
The occasion of the masked ball re-
terred TO was Of marked display.
Even royalty was present in disguise,
though that was nothing remarkable,
the queen having long before sacri.
feed the respect of her subjects by
Iasons 50 public and SO brazen as to
be disgusting. We speak of The
mother of the present youthful king.
The ball was long after remembered
az tile most splendid social affair
which had occurred in the CastiIian
capitol for many long year
General Arieta had partaken rath-
er freely of champagne, but not
enough to more than stimulate him
to concert pitch; be was too old
campaigner to get under stimulus.
"a pretty orange girl-pretty at
least in figure, for as to her face, like
the rest Of the ladies', she was masked
was observed to pay special, 49,
~, % e 1ae Gl sGG &C. @GSss and south their
could not but observe with amorous
eyes the exquisite little feet and beau
tlfnly formed limbs, which a some
what short skirt served to display,
nor did be tail to observe the deli
cately rounded outlines Of this young
girls figure, her dainty waist and
beautiful throat and neck Indeed,
he was quite taken by storm. and was
prepared to strike his flag at the first
summons TO surrender.
On her part the orange girl danced
with General Arieta, hung on his
arm, chaited volubly with him, and,
III short, quite appropriated and
charmed the old soldier. No Span
y lard was ever known to get too much
OF the waltz, so General Arieta kept
on in dizzy delight with his arm en-
ctrcllng his little orange girls waist.
Alas sighed the General as the
two sought the retirement of con
Servatory leading out of the dancing
hall, Il am absolutely miserable
And why, pray?
Because / shall be obliged to leave
you so SOON
Leave me
Yes, have to take my carriage by
midnight
why so early?'
TO attend cabinet meeting
'Where?'
AT the palace of Aranquez.'
That is some distance
True
And are you not afraid of brigands
upon the road 2 asked the orange
girl.
'Oh, no, my little queen, have no
fear
Il suppose yoa are well armed"
ON the contrary, | take no weap-
ons with me-
'Ah! you are so brave, you SOL
diers.'
You will meet me at another time?
Perhaps was her arch reply.
But promise me-
Where p
And then the two drew near
together upon the seat, and there was
some low and confidential conversa-
ton, no DOUBT TO the entire satiSfac.
ton of both parties.
The marked irritation of the Gener-
al with the young orange girl was
not unobserved by the assembled
fashion and rank of the city, and
when the two separated a few mo-
ments later the old soldier was COM
PEELED 10 run the gauntlet OF many a
sarcastic remark,
His carriage came at last, and, en-
tering it he started at once to fulfill
his appointment.
Ii was a cleor bright night; the
moon was full and serene in It's effect.
The general looked ont az he lett the
city gates and STATED upon the road
then settled himself into an easy 20
sition hoping to catch a nap by the
way. lie was soon dreaming of the
bewitching eyes that had been beam.
ing upon him through the mask OF the
orange girl.
Suddenly his ears were saluted by
loud peremptory direction;