The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-02-01

Dlucing is one Of the most beautiful accom-
,lishncnts of youth. 1t lends charm and
graceful Carriagu to the ordinary move mcnis q
ltie thai is wholly unattainablc TO those not ac
uuanicd with the rhy thmical step. Though ufit
Ih0ughtlessly condemned by those who have II
music in their SOULS as has been happily express
ed Inv the great exponent of human nature tn
Immortal Shakespeare, and objected to also b.
those selfish mortals whom age and rheumati
pains have disabled for the enjoyment of youth
yet dancing is natural and proper; and is one o
those expressive elements of human nature tina
has been acceptably practiced since the origin o
man and commended even by the didact
authors of the Holy Scriptures
Every period of life has its peculiar enjoy
ments and it is folly in those who have pass
cd these periods to condemn Others for practic
ing what they themselves once enjoyed. Ant
although the present writer may himself hav,
Gcyond which the light, fantastic toe may be NJ
longer tripped, yet, with his whole heart he car
say to ms If tba eSarIy who T, no one er
positive objections, to very emphatically qualify
their approval by adding that dancing is permits
surd for it lisa remark that may be applied will
equal appropriateness to every act of life, ever
to prayer, for what excess can be more pitiablt
ana censurable than the practice of those
poor religious enthusiasts who suffer with en-
urmous carriages upon their knees from theil
constant attitude of prayer for benefits antic
paicd in future state of existence, to the utter
disregard and neglect of the present duties thai
they were designed to fulhll for themselves
yes and for their fellow creatures in this life
With these preliminaries to the caprious, VIC pro
coed with our more pleasant task viz, to n hast
III" Of the Dariingtou Lean Year Rail or a
was more molcs ~ styled by the matrons who
supervised the entertainment, Lcap-YeaI
Party.
The ladies' of tho neghborhood desiring to
awaken the latent energies of our youth and
Local Option, took advantage of the freedom
allowed them by the year, and of the excellent
sleighing by which the season was favored, TO in
stitute in our sober midst a Leap Year Party. "
The first perpexing question that arose was -
Where shall il be held2" We have no public
building here for any purpose; and the founda-
COntemDla Town
badly not be laid until the opening of the Spring
In this dilemma, our gallant young bachelor, MIR.
james IL. Massey, most appropriately came to
tho rescue. With gallantry becoming the age of
ehivalry, Mr.. Massey offered the ladies the of
the offer, and appointed Wednesday evening,
January -, as the time for the great event.
wne en,eraanment vas ihI placed under the
Mrs. X. L. Williams, Mrs DR.. Forwood and Mrs.
II. Harris Archer. The invitations. were issued
IN tho names of these ladies' and it is said were
extended to about eighty ladies and gentlemen.
Your correspondent having enjoyed the honor of
an invitation from the ladies', and also an cspc-
cia invitation from the host, who, however, oc-
cupicd secondary position on this leap year oc-
casion, he determined, in the famous language of
The noted Sahtd Anna, ITO add dignity to the cere
monies by his ilustrious presence" %
Long before the hour fixed upon for the guests
eight oclock-an unusual animation in the
town the rapid passage of sleighs to and fro, by
which the "matrons" were providing the essen
tails for large party, the china, refreshments,
that an event of marked import and extraordi-
nary interest, was about transporting.
AS the hour of eight approached, our town was
a scene of excitement from one end to the other.
The merry bells, within and without, the rapidly
flying cutters, laughed and j.ngied as they has
tened to the bachelors abode. The brilliant il
Elimination which shown from every window of
the spacious "Halr' served as a beacon from afar
toguide and welcome the approaching guests
from eight until nine the company was constant
ly arriving. The host received most cordially
and CALAMITY, conducting gentlemen to their
dressing rooms; while marons, with equal at
tention. performed the like Office for the ladies'
The well known and much appreciated violin
list of our town. Henry Smith, Jr., colored. who
carried the air and called the figures, was ably
assisted by the excellent bass-viol performance
of Leonard, OF Mill Green.
\ few beautiful notes from these instruments
invit the attention of the guests To the chief
duties of the evening. And now WIS to be wit
fully approaching the young men, and the novel
sounds uttered by their hesitating lips of, MAY
have the pleasure of dancing this set with you,
STRIP This was the beautiful innovation peculiar
to Leap Year; and appeared to interest and warm
the most obdurate bachelor-heart into gallant
compliance.
The increasingly inviting tones of the instru-
ments soon brought the dancers to their places.
Two large rooms, communicating, We're stimuli
taneously utilized, and accommodated, we be-
lieve four sets At time.
Conspicuous among the dancers from a dis
lance, were Miss Clearance Lee, and Mr.. Harry
Lee daughter and son of our excellent friend,
hcr Sr 9 na h ba ney 9on dl esed TO
Qunby, of the Hickory, well-known and highly
respected in Darlington, through her former con-
in company with her younger brother. Many of
the young gentlemen were delighted with her
ty was well represented by Mrs Shela Reckfus
nee Lyon, who it was plain to be seen, had not
forgotten the graceful steps of her youth, for
(which she and her sisters in the maiden days
were so distinguished, far and near. Also the
Misses Reynolds, from Port Deposit, attracted
much attention personally, and for their grace
full dancing. They were accompanied by Mr.
steele, of the same town, who added much to the
hr0th Mr.
Sas silver, and Mr. Richard Janney, represent
ed the Trap neighborhood, while Miss Lee Vir-
did the honors very handsomely for Lapidum.-
We further observed Miss Fannie Lee and brother
Mr.. John q Bayless, Of Glenvile: Mr.. John g.
Mccoy, of Broad Creek and Miss Malie Emlen
chichester, Pa, whose parents formerly resided
by Mr.. A. Il. Galbreath, the Principal of the
Academy, and his accomplished wife, both of
whom, with exceeding grace, frequently led in
and Miss Annie Wilson; Mr.. Robert r. Prgg, who
proved to be one of the chief beaux of the even
ing, actively exerted himself, in connection with
his friend Mr.. Il. Cooley, before named, in adding
TO the pleasures of this Leap Year festal. Mrs.
sence and agreeable conversation, and also by
participating In the pleasures of the dance; Miss
llzze Forwood was compimented on all sides
for her extremely graceful and finished dancing.
Miss Roberta Worthngton was much admired for
her stylish attire and graceful dancing. Among
those from the vicinity were Mr.. W. W. Wilson,
and wife, both good dancers, Miss Mary, and
Miss G retta Wilson, and their brother Mr.. Gipin
Wilson; Mr.. Il. NJ Allen, Jr, and Mr. Creme
Allen, both of whom frequently responded TO the
calls of the ladies in carrying on the dance. Also
were observed, more or less actively participant
ing, Mr.. Wakeman ii. Scott, and Mr.. Thomas II.
Thompson. the matrons were entirely sue
cessful in the performance of their onerous
duties and besides their general supervision of
the company, such as introducing the bashful
young men, and leading them through the
mysteries of the dance, they arranged the con-
tents of the numerous baskets, and with the aid
of an abundant supply of good coffee, furnished
by the host, they prepared a splendid supper,
which was served between the hours of II and
o'clock. After supper the company was again
called by the musicians to balance all J. and the
pleasures of the Dance and of the social inter
course of the evening, were continued-we are
told by those who remained to see-until half past
three in the morning, when the com pany dispersed
with the unanimous sentiment felt and express
ed, that they had experienced mere enjoyment
from this delightful Leap Year party than they
had ever derived from any similar OCCASION
Everything passed oil pleasantly, and remarkable
to add, among so many young men, on pleasure
bent, there did not appear to be the slightest VIC
lation of Local Option.
Mr. Massey deserves, and has been awarded
very great credit for having thus aided the young
people in adding to their enjoyment of the sea
son and in having himself presided over ant
conducted the entire proceedings with so mucl
dignity and grace.
Let us hope that this Leap Year Ball, which hn
diifused so much enjoyment through the heart
of so many, may especially result to the lastinl
happiness of the host, to whom all honor is due
vest, and before the expiration of the Leap Year
thus happily inaugurated, may his halls be thost
no longer of the bachelor but be presided owe
and graced by help-mete-who might be select
ed from his late charming guests worthy OF hi
hand and heart. w. S. +.
darlington, Nd, Jan. 2G, 1894.
baltimore Ddy.