Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-06-28
THE NIISER.

The moon was rising in all its au-
tumnal splendor, and shedding a
deep, mellow glow over dark row of
buildings that faced the beautiful
park, now known as jackson
d'Armes" in those olden days, or
place for the review of troops; it was
a quaint foreign looking spot, with
only mespilus or a magnolia tree
planted here and there to relieve its
somber severity. But for all its lack
of attractiveness it was a gay resort
for the bellies and beaux of the Latin
quarter, and many a tale those an
Gent walks could tell of the gay
maidens and dark eyed cavaliers who
used to loiter there in the soft and
languorous shadow light, and whisper
the DID, old story, that, however dull
it may sound to pessimistic ears, is al
ways new and beautiful, and full of
winsome prophecy, when life is
young and smiling prospects lure us
onward.
Tonight the Place d'Armes was gay
with the chatter of many voices; for
there was a grand ball in the great
house opposite, an aristocratic affair,
to which only the most exclusive of
the faubourg were invited but from
which the many ignored, as anxious
to see in that day as in our own, de-
termined not to DE entirely debarred,
but by patient waiting and lettering
without, catch an occasional glimpse
of the brightness and beauty within
AS one after another the carriages
rolled up to the door and deposited
their occupants the inquisitive groups
without broke into CALCULATIONS in
which 'gracioso, ""precioso, ""belle, :"
'artistique" and all the sweet and ex-
pressive adjectives with which the
French and Spanish languages are SO
prolific were curiously intermingled.
And now is waited on the air the
silvery notes of harp and violin
and orchestral accomplishments, and
knights in profuse gold lace and king
ly decorations, and beautiful danes
in powdered wigs and jeweled slip
pers, move gracefully around in well
measured tread. Among the throng
is one, dark and voluptuous in her
beauty as an eastern houri, with eyes
that might have challenged the stars
without and hair that the night had
kissed in lingering rapture and for
ever left its darkling impress. By her
side there fingered one, not a noble
man by birth nor yet Frenchman or
Spaniard, whose sunny locks, merry
blue eyes and laughing debonnaire
were in singular contrast to the high
bred, studious gravity and extrava-
giant politeness which characterized
the other guests of the evening. AL
together he was an incongruity,
though a pleasing one in that assem-
bly,, and so, many whispered even in
their pride For there were few in the
"vieux carre" who did not admire the
brave and plucky young Irishman,
and no home was too aristocratic TO
receive him, despite his plebeian ex-
traction. His talents and generous
traits of character won him friends
among all classes, and his blithe and
CHEEKY disposition and untiring anna
bility had made themselves felt, even
in the exalted circles to which he had
at length made his way
Upon him the eyes of the Spanish
damsel fell with evident favor. Her
soul thrilled beneath his glance as it
had never done beneath that of an
other; her eyes sparkled and fell
whenever they met his, her lips quiz
cred, her whole being throbbed with
ineffable joy; and he, lingering near
her, noted her every word and action,