Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-12-27
A MORMON BALL.
Latter-Day Saints at Their Aecrea-
lions, singing, Dancing and fray
ing.

Salt Lake Letter
A few evenings ago I had the
pleasure of attending genuine dane
INC party of the Latter-Day SAINTS
(they don't like to be called Mormons);
This was at a small town nestled
away in the Wasatch Mountains,
about $50 miles south of the metro
polis of Utah. The dance was held
in what is called the Ward Meeting
House, a plain stone building used for
general public purposes.
The hour for opening was z p. III.
I was there on time. What first at
tracted my attention on entenne was
that the ladies and gentleman sat
separately men on the right and
the ladies on the left At the end of
the hall was a raised platform, upon
which sat the orchestra, which con-
sisted of a first and second violin and
organ. The nationality of those
present as very distinct and easily
detected The Scandinavian ele-
ment predominated, but there was a
sprinlling of English, Scotch, Irish,
Welsh and Swiss, while the ONO
twang and the Missourian idee could
also be heard. All had a happy and
contented look there being no attempt
at formality; but each appeared to
feel as if he or she was at nome with
members Of their own family.
When | arrived the dancing had
not commenced, and there was quite
a buzz Of conversation. Presently
the floor manager called out, please
to come to order Brother Brown,
will you openW Immediately all was
silence, and every head bowed in
reverence. Brother Brown respond
ed by walking to the platform and
offering a brief but earnest extern
poranaous prayer in which he asked
the Lord to be with them during the
time of their amusement and to keep
all harm and wrong doing from those
present.
The floor manager then gave a
number to each man who wished to
dance, and when all had numbers
given them he called out Numbers
one to eight, take your partners for a
cotillionw There was only space for
two sets. Up started the eight mum
bers and rushed across the room and
secured partners. There was no
waiting for introductions, and now
they stood in readiness on the floor,
falling into conversation with their
ladies. The music struck up, the
caller shouted the figure, and the
dancers started off as if their very life
was at stake.
The danes were remarkably grace
full in their movements, and of course
there was the usual quantum Of
verdant youths who did not know
what to do with their legs. There
were many pretty, yes, handsome
faces among the fair sex. All were
neat and clean, but no attempt was
made at show in dress, plain cotton
and wooden fabrics being the rule.
Some few of the girls made faint
attempt with simple ribbons and laces.
Many of the men did not appear to
have made any special evening toilet,
with the exception of liberal use of
soap and water Others, again, were
dressed in well made servicable broad
cloth of home manufacture.
| could not help notice many of the
young mon born and raised IN this
mountain region. They are perfect
giants-hale, hardy, and vigorous.
Don't ever impute to polygamy the
cause of muscular decline in man,
for here | had ocular proof to the con
trary.
When the first dance was conclud-
ed, the gent eman escorted their part
uers to their seats, and then retired
to their own. Then another batch of
eight was Immediately called for, and
the fun was repeated The polka or
waltz, round dancing, as it is called,
is not, by Strict rules, allowed, al
though a few on this occasion were
permitted during the evening.
After several dances had been gone
through, some young Scandinavian
sister sang a charming song. This
was followed by an Englishman sing
ing a comic song on the American
reciting from Shakespeare. Then
more dancing, with occasional sing
ing. till u o'clock, when Come to
order" was called, and the assembly
was dismissed with prayer All
seemed happy and contented with the
evenings entertainment, and hied at
once home, every lady having an
escort offather, husband, brother or
beau
During the whole of theevening the
only refreshments that l saw or heard
of was pure water, although l was
told that upon special occasions Eight
beer with cake is handed around.
Intoxicating drinks are strictly prohi-
bited There is no saloon within
thirty miles of the town, and even
if a man smells of liquor hs is re-
primanded.
California Painters.
Whatever may be the habits Of the