THE YELLOW DOMINO.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VII, Issue 67, 12 September 1901, Page 2

THE YELLOW DOMINO.

During the latter part of the reign of Louis XV. of France, masquerades were in high estimation, and public ones were often given, at immense cost, on Court days and other occasions of rejoicing. To these latter, persons of i>ll ranks, who could afford to purchase the ticket, were admissible ; and accordingly rencontres frequently took place at them, and exhibitions, almost as curious in the way of disguise, as is the assumption of character. Pirbaps the most whimsical among the genuine surprises recorded at any of these spectacles was that which occurred in Palis on the 15th October, the day'on which the Dauphin (eldest sou of Louis XV.) attaiuEil his majority. At this fete which was of a peculiarly magnificent character—so much so that the details of it are given at great length by the histories of the day—the strange behavioui of a personage, in a yellow domino, excited general attention very early in the evening. This mask, in short, who, if we except tallness and the most robust proportions, showed nothing remarkable as to figure, seemed to be gifted with an appetite, not merely past all human conception, but exceeding even the wildest fannies of romance Even —

“ The dragons of old, who qhurcbes ato When full of good people on Sunday, Whole congregations were to him But a dish i f salmongundi.” Even ho was but a nibbler—a mere Jaeky-go-easy—to this stranger of the yellow domiuo, who, with an alacrity and perseverance a» astonishing as it was edifying, went from room to room, Bud from one refreshment table to another, not merely tasting but devouring, devastating all before him. At one side-board he coolly despatched a fowl,two-thirds of a ham, and half a dozen bottles of champagne; asid the very next moment ho was found seated ia another apartment performing the same feat, with a stomach evea keener than at first. This strange course was persevered in steadily the whole evening,until the company, who had at first been much amused by it, became alike alarmed and uuruly.

“la it the same mask, or are there several Dromios P ” demanded an officer of the guards, as the yellow domino rose from a seat opposite to him, and quitted the apartment. •• I have seen hut one ; and, by heaven, here he is again ! ” exclaimed the party to whom the query was addressed. The yellow domino spoke not a word ; but proceeded straight to the vacant seat which he had just left, arid again commenced supping as though he had fasted a whole month of Sundays. At length the confusion which this proceeding erea'ed bi came universal; and the cause of the clamour at length reached the ears of the Dauphin. “ He is the very devil, your highness ! ” exclaimed an old noblemau. “ saving your highness’s royal presence ; ®r wants but a tail to be »o.” “ Bay, rather, he is some poor famished poet by his appetite,” replied the prince, laughing. ‘•But there mint be some juggle in all this ; he spills the wine, and hides the provisions under his dress.” “ Your highness shall immediately wilneus the absence of juggle,” continued the nobleman, “ with yi ur own eyes, for see,” —and he pointed to the door of the apartment from which the yellow domiuo had that instant emerge ), and was as usual proceeding directly to the refreshment table. Having seated himself with much appareut complacency, the yellow domino, seizing a bottle before him, drauk glass after glass with a gusto and avidity for some balf-dozeu rounds truly astonishing. But this appeared to be a nrern preliminary movement for clearing the way for more solid and serious mastication ; for immediately thereafter he boldly attacked a fowl which lay most invitingly before him, and which, by cut and thrust, now began to disappear by whole wings and legs at a time. Thu FriDce, accompanied by his courtiers, tritcUi.cy-Lilo Uo-old noblcmun, who had formerly spoken, solemnly assured him that he had seen him do that feat thiice. “ Thrice, my lord,” interrupted another courtier, ia rather a contemptuous tone, “ why, 1 can pledge my honour that 1 have seen him at it eight times.” “ Say ten times, my Lord Duke,” cried another, “ and you are nearer the mark.” •‘And nearer si ill if you say fifteen,” said the Marqjis le Verd. “ l have watched the fellow this wholeeveaing, and I can assure your Highness this is the fifteenth time I have witnessed his repasts.” “ Bay you so?” replied the Friwce, all curiosity. “ Call the Master of the Ceremonies. We are anxious to know a little more of our guest.” The Master of the Ceremonies, however, on being questioned, knew nothing of him ; and the yello-/ domino, was, of courte, very unceremoniously as well as unseasonably interrupted as he wbb carrying a bumper of claret to his lips. Tho Prince desireH that Monsieur, who wears the yellow domino, will immediately unmask,’’repeated the Master of the Ceremonies, with awful solemnity. The yellow domino stared at him and hesitated. “ The command with which bi» Highness honours Monsieur is absolutely imperative,” continued tho Master of the Ceremonies. “ Oho !” bawled the mask,with a shrug of his shoulders. “ Against orders imperative there is no contending.” The yellow man immediately threw off his mask and domiuo, and revealed to the astonished prince and his attending nobles apiivate trooper of the Irish brigade, then in the service of France. At this unexpected discovery the Dauphin bad extreme difficulty in restraining both bis own and the mirth of his attendants. Introducing, however, as much severity into his countenance and voice as he could, he commenced with, “ Now, in the name of all that is ravenous, my good friend—not to inquire how you obtained admission—how have you contrived to sup so many times to-night ?” “ “ Many timeß!” repeated the trooper ; “ why with all due reverence be it spoken, sire, I was bat beginning to sup when your royal messagebrought me to a halt.” “ Beginuing !’’ exclaimed the Dauphin in amazement. “ Then what is it I have heard and Been ? Where are the fowls and the joints that have disappeared, along with the dozens of bottles of Burgundy, olaret, and champagne ? I insist on knowing how all this is.” “It is, sire,” replied the trooper, after considerable hesitation—“ it is, may it please your Highness’s grace, because the troop that I belong to is on guard to-day,aDd we purchased a fete ticket among us, providing ourselves at the same time with a yellow domiuo which fits us ail. By this means the whole of our front rank, myself being the last man, have aupped, it the truth must be told, most gloriously ; aud the first of the rear rank, saving your Highness’s royal command, is now below,waiting auxiously outside the door, ready to fall in aud take his turn.