Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-01-12

taking his hand. she led him in and out
among the dusty scene-. and finally sta
tionei him In the wings In full view of
ths stage. which was dimly lighted by
two large gas jets In the center. Aqueer
looking old man In q swallow tail coat,
butionei up to the chin. stooi ready
with his violin under his arm By HE
side was an eminently RESPECTABLE look.
ing woman In q plain stun gown and
bonnct
snow. ladies, are you readyy said she.
and. touching the old man gently. "sig.
nor Narini. t+gin u you please" Then.
bsating time vigorously with her foot.
she sang. "One. two. three. A row Of
legs was lifted towards Rush. who began
a. feel very much Ne though he were
play ring the role of Pceping Tom $50
saw went tho violin In the most marked
time. followed by the voice ~ the WON
an and the sharp bcating of her foot ON
the hare toar,is
Rush had zen ballet dancing tefore.
bat never In such queer costumes. There
were no two alike. AL the dancers wore
short skirts. but from the waist up they
we're covered with dressing sacqucs of
every conceivable style. except one who
had on nm ordinary black body and .
black bonnet with q long crrpe veil.
which noai.,i out behind her a. she came
tripping down the stage SINE had ON
old tights. oihers their usual stockings
The woman who was rchearing them
was the most energetic person Rush had
ever s-,n She not only sang all the
music. hut she tsat time with her hands
and feet. and whenever a particularly
difficult step occurred she picked up her
prtticoats and danced it with the
girls-"ladics- she called them. II
they showed the slightest hesitation. they
hal to dance u all over again. Rush had
never hai such treat In his life. lie
enjoyed every note 81 signor Sarini's
music. and every step ~ the coryphecs.
but where was his agile friendi All.
therr she stooi In the opp-ite wings.
watching the trainer intsntly. Tho
coryphecs made backward movement.
signor Narini played q flourish. and L.oni
bounded lo the front ~ the stage.
Away flew signor Nanni. fingers
over tlc strings. and away few Leoni
around the stage: then the music slowed
up. AMI the dancer came down the stage
In a series % courcsies. then she pi-
rouct,ci around ON her to-rs and finally
drew up In the center. and, placing one
foot az high over her heal as she could
gct u. wrigglej down to the fco, lights
on the to of the other slipper IL
wa. a difficult task well done. Narini
rapTsd ON the hack ~ hi, violin with
hi. low. and Nine. kathi lAnner-for IL
was M less parsonage training the
lallc,-clapps,l her hands dolishiedly.
while Rush joibel In the applause from
Oh. wings l.-oni made him . graceful
bow. and then. crossing over to him
with ih. ungraceful walk of the ballet
dancer. aid. II todd you ! could do IL
I never did 4, - well at q rehearsal be-
fore. but wanted To show you what ]
could do
Thank YOU very much aid Rush.
"YOu did beautifully You are as grace
ful "a. swan AMI as light n fairy. I
never saw anything more exquisite; that
last bit was the very ps-try of motion. :
Iconi look~l nj him a. though she had
heard that expression b.forc, but shs
dill not say -.
ladies of the demon balletr' shouted
Nine. Ianner. and In moment the air
was flied With the changing % cymbals
"Do you dance again aid Rush. amid
the din
"Oh. yc.; lead the demons
"As an angel ~ lightY
"Oh. no. Im the head devil Wait till
you sc- mo In NV rrd tights. with my
face covered with pbo~phoni. and q
gold pitchfo'k In my hand We give the
ballet on Fri ay night Win you b. her,S-
Thcr. was no coluctry In the girrs
manner. che was proud ~ her I-rfors.
ancr. and .he wanted every one 10 s.e u.
II shall certainly try to get here, :" aid
Rush
1T will L. grand. she continued 1--WE
give The Water sprite' drst. then comes
the new oI-ra, Helen ~ Troy. composed
by 81. GouLoi expressly for Nile. Kno~l.
ton. who will appsar as Helen for the
frt time You had better come.
II shall DO ~. OF perish In the attempt,-
answered Rush. with an emphasis tha,
rather surprised the girl. who began TO
think that size hal made an impression
ON the young mans heart "You spoke
Of Mis- Knowlion. dos she come TO re-
hcarsal.y' be inquired "will she IL here
tonight
''Of course she comes % rehearsals-
what a stupid questionl-but she doesn't
come to ballet rrhearsals She was here
all the morning rehcarsing Helen. Nile.
knowlton works hard. and she Is Just as
anxious Tor the singer 81 the smallest
part to make hit as 10 make one her.
self. la, she always does that. and she 10
going to have a grand triumph as Helen.
You ought o. sec her costumes They are
lovely She iet her drssssr show them
% all % us ladies of the ballet and the
cboni. the other day
She must be very amiable and good.
You can tell that by looking at her. " said
Rush
"Goodi should think she was good!
She Is not ike some prime donne have
danced with People talk about bahet
girls- a shrug. II could tell them
something about prime donne u would.
bat I'm not a gossip have enough 10
90 20 look after my own affair. without
troubling myself about other people's
II you com. 10 know us you viii find
that We are not ne black as We are paint
Ell. Some of the hardest working and
b.st women ! have ever known have
bcen lallet dancers Because some one
ha. given us a bad name We are the tar.
get for all the simple headed fops and
bald headed rakes In the country; but
thee wicked men 6nd themselves mis-
taken sometimes. and learn that ballet
dancer can take cars of herself and that
she has others to take care 81 her. You
shouIj have heard my father tell how he
thrashcd Lord Iielliower on the stage
at Covrnt Garien one night for chuck.
Ing my mo,her under the chin Ny
mother was q dancer-one OF the most
famous fairies In the paniomime. though
you wouldn't think ~ to ses her now
and very beautiful OH Iiellnower al.
mired her acro-s the fcotlights, and
thought the only thing he need do 10
rake her acquaintance was TO speak TO
- lI. -. Ill l,.su h.htut sha