Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-07-06
ARTISTIC coNroRr,oNs.
How Little Boys and Girls Are Trained
for the Profession.


for the Profession.
The other day called on a bender.
lady. not a gentleman, who Is well
known as most serpentine contor-
to list. wished to ask Mile. Vonare
a few questions about her art with
view Of throwing some light on the
training Of little boys and girls for the
profession. The lady was sitting be-
fore the fire with her sister. who has
abandoned bending herself. and ex-
hibits "a troupe Of highly educated
poodIcs. A huge wicker basket con-
tanned her dress and other stage hab-
its From its depths she produced
bundle Of photographs of herself tied
and knitted into all manner of curious
folds. FFSs
That is the business OF bender.
The body is thrown into score Of nm
natural postures, which appear to the
audience to be achieved by dislocating
every joint in the human frame. and
to be effected at great risk tolimb and
life. Artists are generally enthusiastic
about their callings. and must say
hat Miss Vonare declared she would
rather be bender than a queen. or
something to that effect She began at
four years; at five years and
eight months she was before
the public, and remains q
bender still. my father saw a con-
tortionist one night on the stage. and
he asked himself why he should not
teach me. aged four. was put into
training at once and enjoyed the fun.
as a child will enjoy any thing new.
Was ] beatenP Was starvedP M.
l seemedfto take to it like little duck
takes to water You see, we were a
family Of athletes. ami besides. was
daughter and not an apprentice. Ii
the father is the trainer he may not
spare the rod, but he is cruel only to
be kind. My experience is that less
rod and more kindness is the best
plan. Father used to bride US into
doing the difficult tricks To be sue
cessful means years Of hard work.
4 practice and performance. / am
nineteen now. and my performance
keeps me in capital training"
In the business of contortion the
first lesson is the backward bend, first
with the arms, and then without. You
stand on long mattress, so that there
is no danger. and at first your teacher
controls your movements with belt.
1t is much the same with other forms
Of acrobatic work. and the cruelty
ften takes the form Of taking away
the mattress, which creates a sor,
of panic in the pupils mind. II
he has really tried his best and
failed, be is so terrified that he is al.
most certain to fall unless he has a
great deal of pluck. II he has only
been sulking. it may bring him to his
. bearings. OF course children are often
: stubborn. and try the patience of the
teacher % its utmost limit.
9Th art of contortion." continued
Miss Vonare. is learned by degrees.
FIRST the backward bend. then The
dislocation. then the splits. and SC
on. What we call closeness' dis
tinguishes the best bending. To the
audience bending seems most difficult;
but experience no discomfort or. in
convenience. was puny child. You
see me now" The. lady bender was
certainly most healthful and cheerful.
stout in body and ruddy in complex
ion, and she strongly maintains thai
all women would begreatly benefited
if they took to. bending at is quit,
mistake TO think that we put OH
limbs out of joint. or that we suff 4
from the curious nature of our per
Torrance OF course. after one o
more d fficult positions, one may sui
fer little pain, but it goes in no time
In some attitudes I-ntay remain TO
: twenty seconds. as the breathing be
comes difficult; but these are tr flin!
inco veniences. Ipractice a few min
utes every day 10 keep myself loose
here in my room, and that is about al
l need do. ~ Pail Mall Gazette.