Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-15
The Humble Pharisee.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.

to her, as single strain of music vi
brated for few moments on the atmos
phere.
"a violin, l suppose" was answered
q" A violin !" An expression almost
of horror came into the countenance oi
Mrs. Andrews. " II can't be possible
II was possible, howev for the
sound came again, prolonged and varied
"What does it mean ?" asked Mrs. An
drews looking troubled, and moving un-
easily in her chair.
Cotillous, l presume" was answered,
carlessly.
" Not dancing, surely y
But, even as Mrs. Andrews said this,
a man entered, carrying in bis hand a
violin. There was an instant movement
on the part of several younger members
of the company; partners were chosen,
and ere the pious Mrs. Andrews had
time to collect her suddenly bewild1red
thoughts, the music had struck up, and
the dancers were in motion.
al can't remain here. Its an out
rage p said Mrs. Andrews, making mo-
ton to rise.
The lady by whom she was sitting
comprehended now more clearly her
state of mind, and laying a band on her
arm, gently restrained her.
why not remain? What is an out
rage, Mrs. Andrews? ?" she asked.
Mrs. Burdick knew very well that |
was a member Of the church" The la
dy's manner was indignant.
"All your friends know that, Mrs.
Andrews" replied the lady. A third
person might have detected in her tones
lurking sarcasm. But this was not
perceived by the individual addressed.
But what is wrong 2"
Wrong! Isn't that wrong p And
she glanced towards the mazy wreath O.
human figures already circling on the
aoor. II could not have belived it of
Mrs. Burdick; and she knew that | was
professor of religion"
"She do en't expect you to dance, Mrs.
Andrews" said the lady.
" But she expects me to countenance
the sin and folly by my presence"
Sin and folly are strong terms, Mrs.
Andrews"
Il know they are, and use them ad-
visedly. l hold it sin to dance"
81 know wise and good people who
hold different opinion"
Wise and good !" Mrs. Andrews
spoke with strong disgust. Il wouldn't
give much for their wisdom and good
ness-not y
THE true qualities of men and WON
en- are best seen It home. When eople 60
abroad, they generally change their at
tire-mental as well as bodily. Now, |
have seen the home.life of certain ladies |
who do not think it a sin TO dance, and it
was full of the hearts warm sunshine
and have seen the home-life of certain
ladies who held dancing to be sinful and
have said to myself, half shudderingly
What child can breathe that atmosphere
for years, and not be growing up with
clouded spirit, and fountain of bitterness
in the heart !"'
And so you mean TO say" Mrs. An
drews spoke with some asperity of man
ner, ;" that dancing makes people better
is in fact a means of grace ?"
mo say no such thing"
Then what do you mean to say?
draw the only conclusion | can make"
"One may grow worse from dancing,
said the lady. "All will depend on the
spirit in which the recreation is INDUCED.
In itself the act is innocent"
Mrs. Andrews shook her head.
In what does its sin consist ~
at is an idle waste of time"
"Can you say nothing more of it?
Il could, but delicacy keeps me ST.
lent"
"Dd you ever dancer"
Me? What question No p
Il have danced often. And, let me
say, that your inference on the score of
indelicacy is altogether an assumption"
Why everybody admits that"
" Not by any means"
" If the descriptions of some of the
midnight balls and assemblies that have
heard, of the waltzing, and all that, be
true, then nothing could be more indeli-
cate,-nothing more injurious to the
young and innocent ,
An good things become evil in their
perverseness," said the lady. And / c
will readily agree with you, that dancing
is perverted, and its use, as a means of d
social recreation, most sadly changed in S