St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-10-16
IN The May WHIRI.
Dancing as 1t Is Done in Bel
gravia and in Bohe-
mia.
Plebeian Feet Are Best at
Tripping the Light Fan
taStie.
How the New York Cash Girl
Does the Terpsichorean
Act.
Some of the Newest Effects
in Gowns and
Capes.

New YORK, Oct.13.-When You are in
Rome it's an understood thing that you
DO as the Romans do. That is, if you
DON'T want TO be dubbed as pedant or
FOSSIL. So, although l know sufficient
of Waiting to get round an aristocratic
ball room in Portland square, or Bel
gravia, with speechless English
debutante, nervously counting her
steps-and have even figured in gay
French assembly or two; though l have
watched the picturesque Norwegian
dances, and had to acknowledge that
the Russians are as clever at this art
as at any other, l must confess that
American dancing is battling to me, and
until the other night l had never seen
it done with elaborate conscientious
ness.
But | suddenly made up my mind to
get to know how to do it.
We know that the lower classes are
the best dancers everywhere. why, it is
difficult to determine. The limbs of the
delicately nurtured should be just as
supple. The blood should be just as
full of life. But still be that as it may
while those who bear the stamp of
"Fere &c Vere." make waltz an eXer-
ton. and not always pleasant one
either, and have no memory for what
comes next in the Lancers and Caledo
MAN, the masses" are delightful to
watch as their elastic feet keep time to
the music, and they rarely make mis-
take in figure.
So l applied to place where the
terms were low, and the society not
ultra-refned. | always look for what
authors call local color and think that
II l get that. trifles that jar on the re-
fined senses Invariably accompany it.
at least this is true of the cheap dane
ing academy.
The ruling spirit of the domain was
small and dapper. He might have been
a waiter or barber, having some of the
points of both, among which was vol
uble urbanity and fertility of language
that is generally credited TO the latter.
He said that Americans danced better
than any other nation; "Ce la va sans
dire" and spoke of gentleman from
the other size. whom he had instructed,
asking us if we knew him. He seemed
surprised, very surprised, when we said
we didn't. There is no ignorance so
complete as the well-to-do New York
lower class Americans of the size and
population of other countries.
He said that he was going to give a
grand dance OF the night of the Column
bian parade. "What happens then?''
/ said. He kindly explained that Column
bus discovered America on that day in
1892. 1t was not my intention to ask for
that information, | happened to have
heard the fact before, but the dancing
master seemed 10 consider it thor
oughly natural thing that any one from
the other side should be limited to
knowledge of the "other side' eXclu-
siVely. lie then gave me a circular,
and said that | could look on at the
dance, which would be in iull blast by
$3.50.
So l waited until the "blast" became
full, which was very gradual process.
The band was not in evening dress, and
the feminine portion of it chewed gum
vigorously. The music was, of course,
from "a Trip to China Town." The
lady pupils were very varied IN appear
ance. many of them | recognized as
''cashes" or whatever is the correct
name for those prematurely aged girls
who nouchalantIy get your change and
criticise your style at the large dry
goods stores.
Every bar of the melody was followed
like magic by the swift tread of the
supple foot. Close, very close to the
shirt bosom OF her particular young
man was pressed the form of each young
woman, their arms were extended
in true pump-handle style, and round
and round they revolved without words.
and as if their lives depended on the
time they kept it up. They might have
been automatic figures. Now and then
one of the leash" girls winked violently
and suddenly as she passed some friend
sitting partnerleSs against the wall.
Supreme quiet, except the rustic of the
dancers, and the sound of the music,
prevailed, and the pianiSte worked her
jaws in time to the music.
The newest gowns show a princess
effect id front, and Empire backs, and
the sleeves are many of them Orna-
mented with the wing-like mounting that
makes coat All impossible accessory
These wings are made of velvet lined
with silk of some contrasting shade and
edged with a narrow fur. Fur is car
ried in line round the bust in line
to mark the high waist. A
very pretty foot trimming is composed
of band of fur over full ruche.
Among novelties, violet wells, certainly
more novel than becoming, are among
the latest things. Black wells with
white chenille spots are also fashionable,
and the white veil, though rather chilly
III appearance in cold weather, is still
worn with white theater hats.