Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-03-09
DANCING 1EssoH..

frwas one Of London's gala days. The
Thames was alive with pleasure boats, and
It's tan,,s were throrged with people.
"Let US visit Vauxhall," proposed one
OF q beyv of beauties escorted by gentle
looking youth. as they stood contemplating
ths er!ivening spectacle. None dissented,
a host was hailed, and the party entered.
It was tie loveliest of spring evenings
On every hand white sails glistened, while
the inspiriting breeze rippled the water.
Catching the animation OF the scene, the
Young man drew flute and played several
oleefll airs He was an excellent perfor-
ner and soon had a crowd of listeners.
Other boats drew near whose passengers
bent forward in eager admiration. But
The Young musician, it seems. had no de-
sire to exhibit in public, for at once he
ceased to play and returned the instrument
TO his rocket
arnong the craft that had gathered round
was g barge that coSta:ned a company Of
caTiy dressed officers. One OF these, hay
inr 10 mind to be baked in mis- wish to be
amused. in tone favoring more Of COM
msnd than request, directed the player to
continue.
The insolent demand passed unheeded
Threats followed, but produced no greater
effect. Furious at the failure of his swag
serirg words TO intimdate the meek faced
youth. the officer ordered the rowers to
force the barge along side Of the boat, de-
claring his purpose to ling the offending
iutis5 overheard.
The ladies were greatly frightened. See
ing the stalwart bully prepared to execute
70 fhov thair
penion to yield at least for their sake.
Rosy lips are always eloquent. The
young man smiled, and resuming his flute
played number OF tunes even gayer than
before.
The victorious officer beat time affectedly,
applauded, mockingiy. each performance,
and by his exultsnt manner, seemed to
say:
''See how redoubtable I am"
At length they reached Vauxhal, where
the two parties separated.
Though calm in appearance, the young
man burned to resent the affront he had re-
ceiyed. Not an instant did he lose SIGHT OF
his insulter. Separating from the ladies
under some pretex5, he watched an oppor-
tunity to approach the officer in an isolated
spot.
"Yonr tone. sir" said he, "appears .
little overbearing."
at lesst l make myself obeyed," wa
the naughty answer.
''That depends upon how one regards it:
for my Part, l think otherwise"
''At any rate, in your case
ooh, you can scarcely suppose, interrupt.
ed the young man, that yielded in obc.
dience to your orders"
''To what end is all this?
''To explain that played the flute, not
ut your command, but in compliance with
the wishes of the ladies, whom you were
villain enough to seek to frighten."
Am I to understand this as chsl-
ienge ?"
why not9" The officer smiled dis
dainiully.
"WeIl, SIR" he rejoined, "you are enti.
tied to satisfaction; when and where will
you have it?"
Tomorrow at daybreak, in Hyde Park
without seconds.
1.-The weapons1"
swords" The conditions settled, tha
parties separated.
Both were punctual to the engagement
The officer took his place, and was prepar
NC to put himself on guard when the
young musician, from whose face all meek
aess had disappeared, drew long pistol
from beneath his coat, and pointed it ut his
adversary.
What. would you murder me?" ex.
claimed the officer, in alarm.
s. That depends upon yourself, replied
the other. Yesterday played the flute
to-day you shall dance hornpipe."
"You take an unfair advantage"
Gas you did in the presence OF the ladies
yesterday. Come, sir--a hornpipe, if you
please"
IL refuse-your conduct is Infamous"
"Dance or die !" Numbered the youth,
accompanying the words with gesture so
aenac,ng that no doubt was left in the
officers mind that the speaker was in ear.
nest. He found himself in a solitary place,
ut the mercy of a man whom he believed
20 be relentless.
With an Ill grace the hornpipe was exc
s1ted.
YOU dance admirably" said the yount
.~aa, when the other had finished" bette
escn than i play the flute. Now that we
ire quits we shall. Il you please, begir
another dance, in which will be your Wis
avis" and, without saying more, he put
az his pistol and drew his sword.
The officer, satisfied with the lesson he
nad received, and judging better Of the
nan whom ne had SO grossly insulted, ex-
sended his hand amicably. The other re-
oeived it, and they parted i>iends
1t is no story we have been telling, but
true account of an incident in the early life
Of DR.. Edward Young, the melancholy
author OF Might Thoughts" to wAom,
more than $50 years ago. in the manner
We have described, a clustering son OF MARI
was indebted tor A Dancing Lesson"