Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-03
BEAUTY AND MUSCLE
Combined in an Exhibition Given bv
the Young Ladies' Gymnastic
Class of the East End.
INDIAN CLUBS AND DUMBBELLS
As Handled in the Exercises Calculated to
Add to the Strength and Grace
Of the Pupils.
INDIAN CLUBS AND DUMBBELLS
FENCING one OF THEFIN ARTS SHOWN
The skyward Flight cf Tsmtourins Propelled BY the
Fc.cs Of Foot

Yesterday afternoon the East End Ladies
Gymnasium class gave an exhibition that
dissolves all doubt about thei- right TO that
name. OF their beauty there was never any
doubt, and they had long ago shown that
they were brainy. so that yesterday the final
Test Of muscle was given.
The young ladies looked bewitching in
their naJty athletic costumes of black loose
blouse waist and short skirt. The somber-
ness of the uniform is only broken by the
bright colored tie at the throat and the
beaming countenance of the fair young ath-
letes. That they are healthy, and that each
is the owner OF a pair o: good lungs, was ev-
idenced by the amount of laughing and
shouting that could be crowded into the
gymnasium at one time.
Long before the hour for the grand
march the ladies were rigged out in their
uniforms, and, like the ''bears out for hoI-
idav," made the best of their opportunity
10 lay aside their ladylike airs and be young
again.
The Order 20 Fall In.
Not that any Of them are old. Forbid the
thought! But in this day and age OF the
world, the girls are suffered to settle down
and be ''prim and sedate " at IS. They
rushed about the room, running races, ETC.,
until Prof. hirchner gave the order:
Fall in for the grand march,
Not one OF them felt inclined to fail into
anything, but they rushed for their places,
apparently eager ior the real fun TO begin.
Miss Cora Wells led the march, and the
other Young ladies followed her, after the
commands of the Pro eSsor through the
many difficult maneuvers. With heads
erect, and stately strides. the young ladies
made beautiful picture as they wended
their many circuitous marches over difficult
routes. Each command was obeye6 with
alacrity, and the wheels and pivots were
made with the precision OF West Point
cadets.
Beautiful bellies and dumb-bells," was
one of the features of the programme, and as
the grand march passed the rack for the last
time. each of the pupils armed herself with
q pair OF wooden dumb BELLS preparatory to
the beautiful little scene.
Heads erect, arms to the sIdes!' came
tie order from the professor, and all was
ready. Then to the music of the piano, uu-
Ger the skilIful touch of Miss Nellie Dauler,
the exercises were gone through with, the
sound crack OF the bells as they came to-
getner adding zest to the per ormance.
a Most Beneficial Exercise.
This exercise brings into play nearly all
the muscles of the body and arms, and is one
of the most helpful in gymnastic work. The
rapid work increases the breathing and de-
veiops the lungs. At the close of this exercise.
and before the bells were put away, the lung
development exercise was had, The command,
'Inhale," is given, and the professoc counts ID
before ordering "I2xhale." A second time he
counts 90 then 25. and at last so and s., before
the command to exhale is given.
Even armed with Indian clubs, the Young
ladies' ignominiously failed to look desperately
wicked. They found it impossible TO look like
head crushers but might easily have been
taken tor heart-breakers, though they do Eot
necessarily need to arm themselves with the
vicious-looking clubs for that purpose. How
ever. they got through the exhibition without
mishap though many had narrow es-
capes frcm humping their own heads
with the ancient IuGIan implement
OF death. The long wands with which
the ancient Egyptian magicians worked their
wonders were also used as an excuse for the
young ladies to strike splendid attitudes. And
ing of the wauds back over their heads TO the
shoulders slightly endangered the becoming
arrangement of ;ne back hair.
Had one closed his eyes and heard the swish
OF the foIls as they cutl The air he might have
dreamed of blood. But looking at that line of
pretty maidens with their weapons poised
gracefully in The air, or as they smllingly made
tuIUsts at the prOfesSor-Neveri
Ehs department of the work has only been
IA ght ior q short time, and Prof. Kirchner,
before starting with the exercise. made an
apology. 1t was quite out of place because the
young ladies show thatthey are very apt pu-
piiS, and if they are not yet finished dueliSts
iaev are rapidly learning the art As they
make the thrust they stamp the foot with an
utter disregard for possibilities, but then gym
nasIum shoes are much more comfortable than
common street Veal.
Engaged in Realistic Combat.
The girls were not satisfied with the regular
class fencing, and at its close two of them en-
gagged in a more or less fatal combat. Miss
Cora Wells challenged Miss Nellie Dauler. and
soon the swift strokes OF the folls could be
heard. Miss Dauler rapidly advanced upon
her Antagonist. forcing her toward the opposite
side Of the room. A quick stroke reached Miss
Wells somewhere in the region of the heart
and the conflict ended by that young lady
measuring her length upon the floor. 1t proved
only French duel however, and no blood was
Spilled.
The fencing ended all formal exhibition. but
the best had not been put on the programme.
The leapIng board and mats were put in place,
and the majority of the girls amused them
selves for q lew moments making flying plunges
skyward. They came down right side up with
care. except in the case of one young lady
whose foot caught in the rope, and she was
thrown sprawling to the mats. She proved
that she could accomplish the feat by picking
herself up and trying it over again, this time
with more success.
The travelling rings engaged the attention of
some who like swinging. while Others climbed
up q ladder to the gallery. kissed the babies.
anu talked to the ladies in the audience.
But there Is always 4 climax. Picture in
your mind Z taInbourne hanging by a string
from the ceiling SO that Its height can be regu-
lated. A. The moment in question the instru-
ment was suspended about six inches above the
head of one Of the young ladies' but suddenly
Ii took fight and scared toward tie ceiling.
There was loud applause from the audience,
and young lady with curly auburn hair
stepped forward and made a graceful ackDowl-
euge,pent of the ovation. While high kicking
is not one of the special arts taught by the pro-
lessor. the young ladies seem to learn these ac-
conplIshmeutS very rapidly.
Closed by Ladies' Waltz.
With Miss Birdie Gill presiding at the piano,
and Miss Dauler on the cornet. music was fur.
nIshed for a closing waltz, and though the gen.
tlemen partners were conspicuously not to be
found. the ladies seemed to enjoy themselves
hugely
The Ladies' Gymnastic Glass has 81 members.
Miss Birdie Gill is President; Miss Lilly
Holmes Vice President; Miss Malissa Mckee,
treasurer: Miss Nellie Noigbt Secretary.
Those who took part IN the exercises yesterday
we're: Misses Birdie Gill. Malissa Mckee.
Nellie Noight. Edith Ramsey, Cora Wells.
Nellie Dauler. Madge Fawcett Mary Dobbs,
Edeialde Lare, Alice Mccullough, Fannie
Cooke. Charlotte Keith, Clara Davies, Bessie
Barnes, Alice Townes. Bessie Riggs, Minnie
I7frie Reifsnyder Fila Scott. Grace