Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-11-11
the YELLOW DOMINO.

During the latter part OF the reign
Of Louis XIV. of France masquerades
were in high estimation, and public
ones were often given, at immense cost,
on court days and on other occasions of
rejoicing. To these latter persons Of all
ranks. who could afford to purchase a
ticket, were admissible; and accord.
ingly rencontres frequently took place
at them, and exhibitions almost as Gu
rious in the way Of disguise as in the
assumption of character.
Little chance adventures Of an
amusing character were at that period
not at all uncommon; and indeed at
these strange entertainments strange
groups and characters were often pur-
posely concerted by their directors
and managers.
At other times feats of legerdemain
or activity were performed; and on
one occasion, it is well known, Q Ge.
noese-the Ducrow Of his day-walk.
ed upon a tight rope. surrounded by
fireworks, which made him visible to
all Paris, from the top Of one of the
towers Of the Metropolitan Cathedral
Of Nortre Dame into the window of a
house near an opposite bridge, called
the Pont au Change.
Perhaps. however. the most whim.
sical Of the genuine surprises record
ed 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, at.
tanned his majority.
At this fete, which was Of peculi.
arly magnificent character-so much
so, that the details Of it are given at
great length by historians Of the day
the strange behavior OF a parsonage
in a yellow domino excited general at.
tention very early in the evening.
This mask, in short, who, if we ex.
cept tallness with the most robust pro.
portions, showed nothing remarkable
as to figure, seemed to be gifted with
an apE elite not merely past ell hu.
man conception. but exceeding even
the widest fancies Of romance. Even
The dragon of old. who churches ate.
When full Of good people on Sunday:
When congregations were to him
But dish of salmagundi"-
even he was but a nibbler-a mere
Jacky. Go. Easy-to this stranger Of
the yellow domino, who, with an alac-
rity and perseverance as astonishing
as it was ediiying, went from room to
room, and from one refreshment table
to another, not merely tasting. but de-
vouring, devastating all before him.
At one sideboard he coolly dis.
patched q fowl, two.thirds of a ham
and a half a dozen bottle OF cham.
pagne, and the very next moment hs
was found seated in another apart.
ment performing the same feat with d
stomach even keensr than the first
This strange course was persevered il
steadily the whole evening. until tn,
company, who had at first been muci
amused by it, became alike alarmed
and unruly.
is il the same mask, or are ther,
several dominos ?" demanded an off
Ger of the gnard. as the yellow domi
no rose from a seat opposite him. and
quilted the apartment.
Il have seen but one. and, BY Hea
ven, here he is again T. exclaimed th,
party to whom the query was addres
ssd.
The yellow domino spoke not
word, but proceeded straight to th,
vacant seat which he had just left, auC
again commenced suppins a. though
he had tasted q whole month Of Sun
dsyS
At length the confusion which shi