Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-10-11

my first season. of dancing, it would have gone much harder with me that week. As it sUas, Fan had volunteered to instruct me. and had graciously accepted her offer, after becoming con- vipced from actual observation that she was a competent instructor. And this the more readily that Polly had shown some impatience and annoy ance at the very awkward mistakes 1 made in Q few of the strange and in- trieate ''fgures' thrown at me in the high key of the first-fiddler who per formed the unusual feat of Heading" and calling simultaneously.
 Mounted upon a square table brought over from the bar of the court room by the courtesy of the judge and the active assistance of the sheriff, Jeff Tolliver, the fiddler, seated in split bottomed" chair, was no more a potentate than Fan was in her smaller domain of the "set' in which she danced. Disputed questions of execu- tion of particular change" were re- ferred to her. and promptly settled to the satisfaction of all concerned. But it was after my own correct training that she looked with the greatest vigi- lance and unwearied perseverance, Every morning at daybreak she would say, as she deftly tied her bon net-strings under her somewhat heavy chin:
 ''Now ef they's another dance to- night I'll learn you how to go thoo thattair change that he was thess callun when we broke up. You're a do-un tirstrate! You'H git ut all alter spell, eff you keep on. H-yander's Polly Ann waitun fur somebody. Reckon you better go to 'cr."
 And then she would take sister Liz's left arm-Buck always had the right armand looking back and smiling as far as she could see me, she would walk off as briskly and IS fresh as if she had been resting all the time espe- cially for this walk. Beyond a doubt, Fanny Go-uns! you saved me from much opportunity for gloomy con- temptation of somebody's giddiness. Great and rapidly growing giddiness, in the opinion of many more people than me. Dancing and talking and laughing with that fellow Martin, that all the town was crazy about. Taking a long walk with him up to the little old churchyard in the woods mile and Q half from Sandtown if it was foot! And then going fishing with him in jack-boat! That was the crowning offense. Girls didn't go fishing with men in jack-boats those days. What had come over Old Bogus LeatherwoodP Where was his jeal- ousyp Where was his superlative vigi- lance of former times? Iwould speak to Buck about it, only the fellow is asleep all day with the exception of an hour or two before supper, when he is galloping about the wooded hollows east of Shutdown, or down to the lower ferry where Martin and Hunter Smith had spent tho afternoon fiddling and dancing for the amusement of the community of the lower ferry and it's contiguous tcrrit ory.
 So l must needs to talk to Polly herself And, not being able to catch her out of the company of some of her many admirers, I resolve to attack her in her stronghold and when she shall have not more than fairly dressed for the evenings entertainment.
 So going ill happened to meet Bogus Leather wood himself. He is actually whistling; and, taking heart from this unusual indication of placid ity, make bold to ask him where Polly is. And actually he tells me that he doesn't know; and adds that I am younger than he, and can run and hunt her up if want to see her!
 Again, what had come over Bogus Leatherwood? Had he reached the point where dotage begins? And had it taken such complete possession of him as to put him dancing 8 horn-pipe last night-a queer, odd. saltwater dance for which he was rigged up in black velvet uniform that some say he bought, and some say he hired, and yet others that ho had possessed all these years! What a figure he cut! Not ex- actly ludicrous. But outlandish and half barbaric. Judge Barks denounced him roundly for such a caper, am told. Poor Judge Barks! He is said to take deal of trouble for that big old black-browed-
 But softly! Here is Polly Ann. She is startled and pleased to see mo- How did I enjoy the dancep Moder- ately, thank you! With great amount of cool indifference in that re- ply, fancy. We'll, what's the matter1 What haveI done 4aoU?
 "You've done a good deal that ] think you ortn't done," say, in g
 blaze of righteous indignation.
 ''Whatp What is itP What haze done3 Jist tell me thing I've done" :" And she is so quiet, so self-possessed about it that l pause to ask myself whether she can really believe that
 she has acted with prudent regard
 for my feelings and my rights, by gum | re bo roo11x, ho1;oro fbof