The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-26

coming One of the worst-Iooking birds I
know of 10 peacock after il has lost its
feathers. would not give one lock of my
mothers gray hair for atty thousand such
6nd these faithful disciples of the ballroom
diligently engaged and happy in the duties
of the home circle, send me word, for
would go great way to see
SUCH PHENOMENON.
These creatures have no home. Their
children unwashed. Their furniture IN
busted. Their china closets disordered- TIE
house scene OF confusion, misruls, cheer
lessnsss and dirt One would think yeu
might discover even amid the witcheries OF
the ballroom the sickening edors Of the un-
swept, unvent1lAted and unclean domestic
apartments
These designations extinguish all OF love OF
usefulness. How could you expect one to be
interested IN the slleYations OF the worlds
misery. while there is question to bs de-
cided about the size OF glove or the shade
of garment? How many of these men and
women CT the ballroom visit the poor or
help dress the wounds of returned soldier
in the hospi .al7 When did the world ever
see a perpetual dancer distributing ira cts?
Such persons are turned in upon themselves.
And 1t is very poor pasture.
This gilded sphere is utterly bed wsrfng to
intellect and soul. This constant study OF
little things; this harassing anxiety about
dress; this talk OF fRshionabein finitesimals;
this group that singer and look askance at
the mirrors, and wonder with infnity of in.
crest "how that one geranium leaf does
look this shriveliRg up OF ms1's moral
q gnity until il is no more Observable wi b
the naked eye; this taking of woman's
heart, that God meant should be filed with
ali the amenities, and COMPRISING it until
ali the frsgrancs and simplicity and artless-
Mss are squeezed out of it, this inauisition
OF q small shoe; this wrapping up OF mind
ADD heart ia rufile; this tumbling down Of
soul that God meant for great upliftingsl l
prophesy the spiritual ruin of sll partic ipa
tors ia this rivalry. Have the white, pol
ishsd glistenivg boards ever been the road
tn Heavpn2 Who az the 4 tsh OF those chan
deliers hath kindled a torch for eternity I?
From the table spread at the close of that ex-
cited and besweated scene who went home
TO say his prayers?
To many, alas, this life is a masquerade
ball. AS st such entertainments gentlemen
and ladies appear in the dress of kings or
queens, mountain bands or clowns and az
the close of the dance throw of their dis
guise, so many all through life move in
mask. Across the floor they trip merrily.
The lights sparkle along the wall or drop
from the ceiling-a very cohort of fire The
feet bound. Gemmed hands stretched out,
clasp gemmed hands. Dancing feet respond
to dancing feet. Cleaning brow bends low
to cleaning brow. On with the dance! Flash
and rustic and laughter and immessurasle
merry making But the laughter Of death
comes over the limbs aud blurs the sight.
Lights lower! Floor hollow with with sep.
ulchfal echoes. Music saddens into a wall.
lights lower The maskers can hardly now
be seen. Flowers exchange their fragrance
for sckening odor, such as comes from
garlsuds that have lain in vaults OF eemeter-
lee. Lights lower! Mists fill the room.
Glasses rattle as though shaken by sullen
thunder. Signs seem caught among the
curtains. Scarf falls from the shoulder of
beauty shroud, Lights lower! Over the
slippery boards in dance Of death glide jeal-
ousies disappointments, lust, despair Torn
leaves and vithered garlsnds only half hide
the uIcered feet, The stencil of smoking
lamp-wicks almost quenched Choking
Eyes shut. Voices hushed. Lights out