Daily national Democrat., 1860-10-16
Dancing.

towns has recently given great umbrage to
the female portion of his congregation, by
denouncing from the pulpit, in no measured
terms the present mode of dancing. Dancing,
after the good old style-meaning Virginia
reels we suppose-he could not reasonably
object to. But the fashionable waltz, re-
dowa, mazourka, polka, ETC., etc, he pro-
nounced indecent
If a minister of the gospel should lift up his
voice and rebuke the ladies of this city for
engaging in these little innocent amusements
we would not give much for hiss popularity.
Why nine-tenths of eur ladies waltz, and
what is more, waltz weH And this reminds
us Of little circumstance which transpired
ut one of our fashionable balls not long since.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Smith were there, of
course. This particular Mrs. John Smith of
whom we speak never dances. She is, per-
haps thirty, and moves about with that un-
mistakeable air of woman who has seen the
world, and measured it. On entering the
hall, stately and reserved, leaning on the arm
VI uSI uusUduu, nlTS. Oullln LOOk II lew buIuSI
up and down, when voice was heard to
call, Gentlemen will select their partners
for the waltz We would here remark that
Smith-although he never loses an oppor-
tunity whenever and wherever the subject is
introduced, of proclaiming in voice loud
enough to be heard by every one present,
"My wife never waltzes, she has conscientious
scruples about it's, nevertheless, very fond
of indulging in that luxury himself A war
horse, at the tap of the martial drum does
not become more suddenly excited and eager
for the contest, than did Smith at the sound
of those inspiring words, Gentlemen, choose
your partners" DC. lie looked frantically
around for some old gentleman to take his
wife off his hands In vain All he met
were as eager as he to convert themselves into
spinning tops. Finally he discovered old
Mrs. Jones safely ensconced "in a corner OBJ
scure, and, alone" Old Mrs Jones is the
fortunate (?) owner of three young, lady
daughters. Old Squire Jones don't think it
is quite respectable to let "them ere gals go
without parental perfection to them ere con-
founded fandangoes." So the old lady is
often seen at our parties, sitting quietly in
corner, chewing the cud of sweet and bitter
fancy" The moment Smiths eye fell upon
her, he determined to give her an opportuni-
ty to feel how blessed thing it is to be able
to serve fellow mortal in this "vale oftears.'
"Ah, my dear Mrs. JONES'" said he, pressing
up TO her, "what pleasant surprize to see
you here. Upon my word, Mrs. Smith is
! delighted to see you! Now, my dear, do you
just sit down and have a coy little chat with
Mrs. Jones, while look around and see what
is going on" In about two minutes after
this, Smith might have been seen with some.
| thing very like the pretty little Miss Salina
Jones in his arms, twirling down the room at
the rate of about GO miles an hour! So it
was all the evening, Smith came no more to
his wife. She and old Mrs Jones worried
each other 10 death by saying nothing
Finally Smith made his appearance in their
immediate neighborhood, bearing on his arm
plump palpitating, perspiring not in
the least atigued-beauty, for whom he
manifested the EXTREMIST solicitude He
famed her vigorously TO cool her-then
wrapped her up to keep her from getting
cold. lie opened the window to give her
fresh air, then shut the opposite one to stop
the draft. All this Mrs Smith viewed with
u great degree of calmness-but we thought
we discovered upon her fair brow Just the
slightest perceptible shadOw of shade. And
about the corners of her mouth one might
plainly see that slight shading with which
sorrow or care sometimes pencils the mouths
of women of certain temperament, and
which, by the way, makes them inexpress-
ably and spiritually beautiful. We saw the
lace on Mrs. Smiths bosom quiver, as if dis
turbed by the faintest whisper of a sigh
such as sometimes unconsciously escapes us
for buried hope, or vanished dream. Our
heart was touched We (mentally) called
old Smith brute. In our minds eye we saw
the victim of his cruel neglect die of broken
heart land we had composed about the half
of suitable epitaph. which we were deter
mined should go upon her tomb-ston if we
had to engrave it in blood with the point of
our sword when, who should interrupt
our revery but young Smrkl "Mrs. Smith,
said he, "this is the third time have be-
sought you to waltz with me tonight, and
yet you refuse think you are cruel" Mrs
Smith glanced over at Smith and we thought
we saw something ominous in that glance !
Captain Smirk," said she. in voice loud
enough to catch her husbands ear, Captain
Smirk, it is too fatiguing-and, besides, do
not like hugging to the measure of music
but, hyou are willing to embrace me in the
old-fashioned way, why, of course 1 can have
no objection" In few minutes, Smith was
seen leaving the ballroom with his wife-a
black cloud resting on his brow. We have
since heard that he has taken to hard drink.
CHEERING.-We have, says the Placerville
Californian been favored by friend with
the perusal of letter, of recent date, from
Illinois, from which we make the following
extracts. 1t is from prominent citizen of
that State "We think that Douglas is gain
ing ground constantly, and his friends are
confident of his election. 1t is conceded that
Lincoln can not be elected without the votes
of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. 1t is
generally believed here that New York will
go for Douglas, and strong hopes are enter
tanned of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and
tIo a. Il