The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-07-15
ROUND DANCES.

Ihe following dialogue Is copied from .
new Catholic Literary Magazine called Our
OS0", recently established In Philadelphia:
What eye can follow the course of a couple
OF modern wbirligigs as they describe their
wendrous circles over the ballroom floor
Like sea-worthy crafts, they alternately dip,
and pitch, and skim-now appearing in full
sail before what would seem a steady breeze,
then obeying the sudden rising Of the instru-
mental gale, they swing to the leeward, roll
to the windward, and after brief struggle.
are submerged altogether, and are found at
last In some out-of-the-way corner, painting.
gasPlng, perspiring. but supremely happy,
and ready for another cruise. Now. the
question arises, in what does the extreme
pleasure Of such exertion consist Perhaps
the following conversation between a young
lady and clergyman may throw some light
on the subject
"Please tell me, Father. Is It SIN to dance
the Ronnd Dances 4''
"What am l to understand by Round
Dances ?"
"Waltzes, Polkas. Galops, &c."
Describe Galop."
"WEy. it's something like a Waltz. only
swlfier. and the steps are different, and there
are several changes as you make the circuit
"Aloue 2"
"By no means; a partner, of course"
"Gentleman, presume"
''Well. yes; gentleman preferred.r
''Takes the lady BY the hands 2''
mot exsctly-at least, only by one hand. -
"And how does he dispose of the other 2'
"Well, why" (blushing deeply,) "you
know the lady has to be supported, and 90
her partner just touches her waist lightly,
and
''But that would afford no support
"Well, she rests on his ar-hand lust a
little, Father"
"But then she must have a supeIfluous
hand If he takes but one"
"Oh, she rests her other hand upon his
shoulder just enough to steady herself.'
(More blushes.)
But" (very matter of fact,) "is that
COM 5Jrtable 2"
"t)h yes. Father, rery comfortable"
"lf many couples dance at once l should
think there would be danger Of their coming
in contact"
"Somo times, but they recover themselves
Immediately"
"And the lady Is not thrown away from
her partner 2"
''Oh, not at all he holds her too closely'
81 think" (taking pinch Of snuff) II
understand now what you mean by Round
Dance. which, presume, you enjoy very
much"
''It Is perfectly enchanting, particularly
when the music Is fine and one has a good
partner"
"Do yOu dance with any gentleman who
may be introduced to you2 In society there
must be some bad men,"
"Well, I'd rather dance with bad man
who is a good dancer than good man who
is bad dancer. 1t don't make much odds
about the character Of the gentleman so he
ls q good dancer, but then. to be sure, en-
joy it 8 deal moro when l know the gentle
man aud like him"
land You think this is proper. and mod
est, and maidenly, to go caresring over a
ballroom floor In the arms of a man whom
you might or might not have known ten
minutes previously %
"Well, no, but 1t Is the custom"
'Would you permit stranger entering
your fathers house to assume the position Of
q gentleman In the Round Dance, and con-
duct You through your parlors %
''Of course not that would be shocking -
my child, in the eyes of God 1t Is the
same"