The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-02-21
A MORMON DANCE.
Tho latter Day Saints Tripping the
Light FantastIc--O One Phase OF Utah
[s;alt Lake Citv Cor New Yor,, IN,

Light FnntastAc--O One Phase OF Utah
Life.
tSalt Lake City Cor. New York Sun.l
If ono wishes to see Mormon life in
all its primitiveness and simplicity, he
must not look for it in Salt Lake City,
for there. it is overshadowod by much OF
the outside world. No; if you wish to
SEQ tho pure inner life of Mormondom.
you must strike out into the country
districts.
A fow evenings ago I had the pleas.
uro OF attending genuine dancing
party of the Latter day Saints tthey
don't like to be called Mormonsy. This
was at n small town nestled away in
the Wasatch mountains, about $50
miles south of the metropolis of Utah.
The dance was held in what is called
the ward meeting house, u plain stone
building used for general public pur.
poses.
The hour for opening was 7p. IN. I
was there on time. What first attracted
my attention on entoring was that the
ladies and gentlemen sat separately.
the men on the right and the ladies on
the left. At the end of the hall was u
Eaised platform, upon which sat the
orchestra, which consisted of first
and second violin and organ. The ma
tionality of those present was very DIS
tinct and easily detected. The Scan
dinavinn element prodominatcd, but
there was sprinkling of English,
Scotch, Irish, Welsh and Swiss, while
tho Ohio twang and tho MisSourian's
idee could also be heard. All had q
happy and contcntcd look, there be-
ing no attempt at formnlity, but each
appeared to feel as if he or she was at
home with members of their own family.
When l arrived tho dancing had not
commenced, and there was quite buzz
of conversation. Presently the floor
manager cried out: please TO come to
+, 'dcr! Brother Brown, will you opcn?"
! Immediately all was silence, and every
head bowed in reverence. Brother
Brown responded by walking to the
platform and Offering brief but
earnest cXtemporancous PRAYER, in
which he asked the Lord to b6 with them
during the time Of their amusement.
and to keep all harm and wrong doing
from those present.
The floor manager then gave 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 q cotilllon!" There
was only space for the two sets. Up
started the eight numbers, 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 thoir
ladies. The music struck up, tho caller
.houted the figure, and tho dancers
ttarted off as if thoir very life was
at stake.
The Danes wers remarkably graceful
in their movements, and, of course,
there was tho usual quantum of vcr-
dant youths who did not know what to
do with their legs. There were many
pretty, yes, handsome, faces among the
fair scx. All was neat and clean, but
| no attempt was pladc to show in dress,
plain cotton and woolen fabrics being
the rule. Some few of the girls made
faint attempt with simple ribbons
and laccs. Many Of the men did not
appear to have made any special evon.
ing toilet, with the exception Of the
liberal use of soap and water. Others,
| again, were dressed in we'll made, serv-
| lccnblc broadcloth of nome manufac-
ture
could not help but notice many of
the young men born and raised in this
mountain region. They are perfect
giants, hale, hearty and vigorous.
Dont ever impntc to polygamy the
cause of muscular decline in man for
hero [ had ocular proof to the con-
trary.
When the first dance was concluded
the gentlemen escorted their partners
to their seats and then retired to their
own. Then another batch of cipht was
immediately called for, and the fun
repeated. The polka or waltz, round
dancing, as it is called, is not by strict
rules allowed, although few on this
occasion were permitted during the
evening.
After several dances had been gone
through, some young Scandinavian Sis
ters sung charming song. This was
followed by an Englishman singing a
! comic song and an American reciting
from Shakespeare. Then moro dane,
ing, with occasional singing, till II
o'clock, when "come to order" was
called, and the assembly was dismissed
with prayer. All seemed happy and
contcntcd with the evenings entertain.
mont. and hied ut once homo, every lady
| having ~ escort of father, brother. hus.
band or beau.
During the who lc of the evening the
only refreshments that I saw or heard
OF was pure water, although | was told
mat upon special occasions light beer
with cake is handed around. Intoxicnt.
ing drinks are strictly prohibited There
Is no saloon within thirty miles of the
town. and oven if man smells Of
hIuor ho Is reprimanded
lhcse dances are not open for any
who may choose to attend, but NIL who
wish to partake give their names in to
the bishop of tho ward He has the
power to blackball, and he uses that
power, especially with outsiders and
apostatcs.
By l o'clock all lights were out in the
town, and the only sounds to bo heard
were the occasional baying of tho watch
dogs and the lullaby of the canyon
! breeze.
Theory and Practice.
The Judge.
graceful writer one day wrote a