The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-07-07

81 might pull through Virginia reel
with good partner" answered Rush.
81 don't know that dance. Is it for
the ballet?" said she, passing her foot
over her head just for practice.
''No; it's not ballet. Take care!
you'll fall" said Rush, who had never
seen woman stand on one leg so long,
putting out his hand to steady her.
She poked him playfully in the ribs
with her slippered toe. ''You don't
know much about the ballet or you
would not think that anything. can
put my leg straight up in the air and
come down the stage ON one foot. L get
call for that every night. Haven't
you ever seen me do it,"
THAT is a pleasure still in store for
me-" answered Rush, with gallant
bow.
"Hark!" said the dancer, leaning for
ward. Didn't you hear old Narini rap
on his violin? 1 must fly"
Before you go pray let me know the
name of the charming young lady whose
agility was the occasion of this pleasant
acquaintance"
"You don't know me? What strange
fellowI l am Leoni! Come, follow me
if you want to see the rehearsal" And,
taking his hand, she led him in and out
among the dusty scenes, and finally sta
toned him in the wings in full view of
the stage, which was dimly lighted by
two large gas jets in the center. A queer
L. IL -, 4,s1
buttoned up to the chin, stood ready
with his violin under his arm. By his
side was an eminently respectable look
ing woman in a plain stuff gown and
bonnet.
Nov, ladies, are you ready?' said she,
and, touching the old man gently, "Sig-
nor Narini, begin if you please" Then,
beating time vigorously with her foot,
she sang, lone, two, three" A row of
legs was lifted towards Rush, who began
to feel very much as though he were
playing the role of Peeping Tom. 'See-
saw" went the violin in the most marked
time, followed by the voice of the wom-
an and the sharp begting of her foot on
the bare boards.
Rush had seen ballet dancing before,
but never in such queer costumes. There
were no two alike. All the dancers wore
short skirts, but from the waist up they
were covered with dressing sacques of
every conceivable style, except one who
had on an ordinary black body and
black bonnet with n long crepe veil,
which foated out behind her as she came
tripping down the stage. Some had on
old tights, others their usual stockings
The woman who was rehearing them
was the most energetic person Rush had
ever seen. She not only sang all the
music, but she beat time with her hands
and feet, and whenever a particularly
difficult step occurred she picked up her
petticoats and danced it with the
girls-''ladies" she called them. If
they showed the slightest hesitation, they
had to dance it all over again. Rush had
never had such treat in his life. He
enjoyed every note of Signor Narini's
music, and every step of the coryphees.
But where was his agile friend? All,
there she stood in the opposite wings,
watching the trainer intently. The
coryphees made backward movement,
Signor Narini played flourish, and Leoni
bounded to the front of the stage.
Away flew Signor Narini's fingers
over the strings, and away flew Leom
around the stage; then the music slowed
up, and the dancer came down the stage
in a series of courtesies; then she pi-
rouetted around on her toes and finally
drew up in the center, and, placing one
foot as high over her head as she could
get it, wriggled down to the foot lights
on the toe of the other slipper. 1t
was difficult task well DONE Narini
raped on the back of his violin with
his bow, and Mme. Kathi Lanner-for it
was no less parsonage training the
ballet-clapped her hands delightedly,
while Rush joined in the applause from
the wings. Leoni made him graceful
bow, and then, crossing over to him
with the ungraceful walk of the ballet
dancer, said, Il told you could do it.
never did it so well at rehearsal be-
fore; but wanted to show you what
could do"
"Thank you very much" said Rush.
"You did beautifully. You are as grace
full as a swan and as light as fairy. l
never saw anything more exquisite; that
last bit was the very poetry of motion
Leoni looked at him as though she had
heard that expression before, but she
did not say so.
"Ladies of the demon baTletr' shouted
Nine. Lanner; and in a moment the air
was filled with the changing of cymbals.
''Do you dance again." said Rush, amid
the din.
"Oh, yes; I lead the demons"
GAS an angel of GghtT'
sob, no; I'm the head devil. Wait till
you see me in my red tights, with my
face covered with phosphorus and
gold pitchfork in my hand. We give the
ballet on Friday night. Viii! you be here:"
There was no coquetry in the girls
manner, she was proud of her perform
ance, and she wanted every one to see it.
81 shall certainly try to get here" said
Rush.
'It will be grand, she continued. eve
give The Water Sprite' first, then comes
the new opera, Helen of Troy composed
by NJ. Gounod expressly for Mile. Knowl-
ton, who will appear as Helen for the
first time. You had better come"
81 shall do so, or perish in the attempt"
answered Rush, with an emphasis that