The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-22
0WHA TsHE THAT WoULD NOT DANCE?

"HHAT Il ~ LIE IhAI w OCLD NOT IA hCE!
When Governor Geary, at one Of his evening re-
ceptions az Harrisburg was asked to dance, he eB-
oused himself with the mild remark:-"1 have not
hossiH--Ho,per's Bdzdr, February %.
Commenting on which, the New York World says:-
Are we nsuer to know the full extent OF the devas-
tation OF the late ware Are there any more OF our
herOes-to all appearances heathful and robust
moving about among us with constitutions thus un-
dermlned? with legs thus hopelessy perforated2
Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, are there any
bullet-holes in your legs? Are you precluded from
the sweet soace OF the social dancer In the OF
Grant we are somewhat assured, for have we not
read that he did dance at the Princes ball In wash
ington the other night? But ah, dreadful thoughtD
may he not with Spartan pluck, have ''trod mea-
sure" upon honeycombed pins7 Let US "make as
surance double sure, and take bond OF fate;" go
each and all OF you, our heroes, we beseech and
submit yourselves to the nearest surgeon; roll up
your sacred trowsers and let medical certificates set
forth the true condition OF your respective bfurca-
tions, that the anxious nation may know how you
stand, and thus be assured OF its standing
And thou, oh Corolanus Geary, pussant hero OF
newspaper battles! let not that naughty retcence,
that proud scorn OF popular favor, that patrcian
contempt of the 'greasy citizen" which has been so
characteristic OF you, carry you toe far! II the
grand old commonwealth is leaning upon broken
reed, let us, OH let us know the extent of
your fractures! Although you may never again
strength may be given you to for a third term,
and stump the State once more. Why have we
never heard the history OF Pennsylvanias glory
from the lips of those wounds? And why, may we
ask, have the wounds themselves never before been
heard OF? Why did they not take their honored
place in the current record OF the suferings and
sacrifices OF that ghastly time? Why did not the
newspapers ring with them, that the nation might
give her tears to salve them? Answer, ye immortal
legion! Why have these sacred wounds been
boarded in so secret and mserly manner, and dis
closed only in relaxed moment OF playful abandon
Verify the underpnning OF our nations fabric is in
jeopardy!
The dance was at its maddest, loud clashed the
horns and drums,
When, ainging wide the massive doors, the usher
CRIED "He cOmeSI
Then Beauty, whirling in the waltz with doughty
cavalier,
With parted lips and wondering eyes, paused in her
AS, stalking through the. gttering throng, with
smiling port yet high,
Bold Geary came, our Governor him OF the eagle t;
Ex-General, ne Democrat, Kansas GovernOr-r-r et
Ulysses head, Achilles tread, and Nestors wisdom
| To form the man upon whose "span" our hopes are
He plants sat ease" his good right leg, his hand
rests on his hip,
Stern majesty in every line, from toe to moustached
lip.
Then from that tranced throng there glides beau
| Who straight before the Governor "crooked the
hinges Of her knee;" "a
"My Governor my General, our Commonwealth
great stay,
Unto Thy hum6lest subject grant one little dance
| . pray 7! - .H
"since the war was DONE, the Governor said 'H
| have not danced" said he
"One little whirl" the maiden Plead ''one little
whir with me "
The Governor shakes his Jovelike head, but still
| that maiden begs-
81 cannot dance; too FULL he said, "of bullet hole
| my legs J"
Then into vacancy he gazed, where hair-breadtl
| 'scapes he saw, = ..
| And on that joyous companie fell hush OF breath
less awe.