Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-08-02
DANCING ON THE GREEN.
ilew the Fseinating Danseuse Fanny Eilsler Exc.
cnted tine Crac9ylenne For the
West Point Cadets.

At the time i was a cadet Fanny Ellis
Ter, the celebrated danseuse, visited the
academy. She was accompanied by
Nj. Sylvester, and one evening they
visited the ehcampment and were great
ly amused at a stag dance, which the
boys improvised for the occasion. Ca
Diet Pierre Dubois and others on guard
duty were prevented from seeing the
celebrated .Maitresse du Ballet" and
were much chagrined at their i'll luck.
1t happened that Dubois had what was
known as Post A. which was at that ex-
tremity of the grounds, where there
was little danger Of being reported for
neglect of duty. The fair Fanny re-.
manned until TAPS" and all lights were
out, 1t was n bright moonlight night,
and her way to the hotel lay along the
gravel walk past Dubois post. He saw
her approaching and u bright thought
struck him.
Halt! who comes there?' cried Du-
bois, in blood-curdling tones.
docs Monsieur speak to us?" trem-
blingly asked nj. Sylvester.
Advance, and give the countersign.
growled the sentry, bringing his piece
down to a charge.
The gallant escort took to his heels
and fled ingloriously leaving the trem-
bling Fanny before the terrible man of
war.
re countersign? Vat is dat?,'' she
asked.
The passe parole" answered the
sentinel.
''Helas! have it not. | will send
to the commandment, and my servant
shall bring it to you. domain. in the
morning"
'Madamer' Numbered Dubois, "have
you dared TO attempt to pass my post
without the countersign?'
''Oh, sare, did not know"
During this time the other sentinels
knew that something was up, and. de-
serting their posts and enveloped in
their huge guard cloaks, ranged them
selves alongside of Dubois, and encour-
aged him to carry on the joke He
Immediately INDUCED in lengthy har-
angue upon the terrible nature of her
crime, and ended by informing her that
death was the penalty then and there.
"Mais, Monsieur, sill vous plat, do
you know me? Je suis Mile. Ellsler, la
pauvre Ellsler."
Thinking she saw the effect of her
declaration, she continued in an impas-
stoned way:
"Oui, monsieur je suis la jolie, gay
euse Fannie, je yous assure
Madam replied Dubois, "by ma
king any terms, accepting any excuse
for your crime, | render myself liable to
court-martial and instant death; but
there is one condition, and one only,
whereby you may atone for your Of
Tense against the flag of my country and
save your wretched life
"Mais le condition, lie condition. |
will perform it.
And that is that you will here, in
this solemn presence, within sight of
yon cleaning monument of the Polish
chieftain, dance the Cracovienne.
"Sacre, porte, mon Dieu! C'est i'm
possibler' cried the indignant Fanny.
"Then die, proud femaler'
But, messieurs, would dance avec
plaisir, mais, ware is de orchestra, de
trombone, de flute, de feeble? 1 can
not dance widout de musique."
The music shall be provided, mad
anne; will whistle
'Jamais. jamais, monsieur" she
cried, trembling with Indignation and
fright.
"Then," cried Dubois, 'you know
the awful penalty; prepare for your
doom" The guards gathered around
in n ghostly way, while Dubois brings
his piece down to ready.
"Ah mo! eentillhommes, l will
dance
The guns were stacked and with diff
ficulty Dubois brought his mouth to \
picker and whistled the cracovienne,
while the graceful Fanny, lifting her
skirts to keep them from off the dew,
with infinite grace executed the pirou-
cite. When she had given the last kick
aud was about to retire, they called for
the caciinca. just then, s'Second re-
lief, turn out" cried the corporal Of the
quart, rs he brought the butt of his
musket down to awaken the guard
Instantly the sentinels ran to their posts,
and Fanny started for the hotel like
frightened deer. On the way she met
NJ. Sylvester at the head of mob of
walters armed with brooms, mops and
pokers. She explained that his gall
lantry might have been shown earlier
in the evening, and turned the crowd
toward the hotel 1t is said that the
party left before daylight. st. Lous
Globe Democrat