Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-12-24
AT CHRIsTMAs-TIME.

u IS1SAN 14l4C "A~o We WIN NlSSN ]
the King" Gov rnor Wentworth, OF
Ssw Hampshire, z I'VE a grand ball a
his mansion al Little Hsrbor the
famous CID Wentworth House-where
he vas wont to receive visits of cere-
mony and preside over the sittings OF
His Msjesty's council for the province.
This ball was in honor OF the officers of
the French friga,e LIE Terrible, anchored
hen of the good town of Portsmouth.
The Treaty OF Paris had made France
and England friends for a space, an
Governor Wentworth. famous always
for his hospitality, had put forti, great
exertions TO entertain with becoming
dignity and splendor his distinguished
guests.
The ball rom was crowded with
colonial %aristocracy. Hundreds of tapers
shone In the great candelabra. High
heeled shoes clicked on the waxed
floors.
Bewigged and belaced magistrates
were there, pompous ~serrantsof the
Crown. fair, 1uttering maidens, danes
in powder and patches ami stiff brocade
p~etticoats-a miniature court, in fact.
And the great event of the night was a
minuet de la cour, danced 10y the cap
tain of the Terrible and Salome, daugh-
ter and heiress of tina. stern New
Hampshire judge, John Cabot.
$50 handsome a couple" said the
amiahle old Governor, never before
stood in the ballroom of Wentworth
Huuse."
salome Cabot was at this time barely
seventeen, and the acknowledged belle
Of the province. There is a portrait of
her still preserve in The old town,
which represents an arch blonde beauty,
with a face like an opening rose. and
fair, powdered hair rolled high on a
cushion.
She wore at the Governors ball q
peach blow satin round cow over &
petticoat of golden Powered brocade, and
her pink satin shoes were fastened with
geld buckles. From a string Of pearls
which clasped her long, milky throat
hung q miniature Of her betrothed bus.
band
As for the Comte de Ferval, captain Of
the Terrible, he had danced at Marty
and Versailles, and nothing could exceed
his grace and elegance. With the mall
nsrs Of an accomplished courtier. he
eoubinsd q izlre of fa1ltless symmetry
and q darH, oval lace, lighted by viva.
eioas olack eyes and a ~singulsrly facinat.
Ing smile.
He wore his own hair tied simply
with q riboon, but his uniform was stiff
with gold lace and embroidery, and the
hilt of his sword blazsd with brilIiapts
Every eye was fxsd on the pair, anu
olrresistibie Was their appearance tina,
O.FtEvAfs gay young others suddenly
sslssi the Instruments from the paid
musisianf, and played themselves the
air for their gallant commander and his
atr partner.
F.ultiessly the two went through tn.
complicated steps and glissades and dis
fcult figures from the first bow to tbs
balance royale. while the portraits O.
George III, and ugly Queen Charlotte
looked down on them from the vain.
scoted wall, and the powdered and bs.
wigssd party stared In admiration,
Then the comte led his coppanio,
away to q seat in the embrasure of q
window. where her aunt and chaperor
waited.
Ma foil mademoiselle." he said
should live to be a hundred years old
could never forget that minue,."
h unfurled Il Moorish fan of mini
and gold Grape, which set all the cur,.
and clusters of yellow hair dancing
against her milky neck and TEMPLES
Her violet eyes shone like stars: the
breath came hurriediy through her ref
hpa
"How is 1t" she answered, that Won
~Frenchman. speak English with No
aossnt?"
"Ah," replied the comte, in a low
ardent tone, my mother was an Enelist
woman, madsmoiselle, and If I eve,
mary, I have sworn that my wife shal
also be @. your nation"
'rThen you bear no malice toward
your former enemies, monsieur sh,
observed With an arch smile.
God forbid! And even If such wer,
the case, mademoiselle, one look in eye
like yours would transform me from
foeman to a lover"
"Salome," i~nterposed Aunt Dorothy
dryly, you had better move out of thil
window. I feel a draught."
But Salome did not hear her, and tn.
captain of the Terrible took a step nearer
Judge Cibot's fair daughter.
"His E~xcellency, the Governor" hi
murmsred, was kind enough to tell Inc
Just o that / must not lose my hear
to the belle of the evening. Pardeaul il