The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-09

Feeling Himself Socially Deacfene He
Takes Lessons.

4
Feeling Himself sociasiy Denciens he
Takes Lessons.
CHICAGO. Jan. Gov. John p. Alt
geld is taking dancing lessons. He
thought that no human being except
his dancing master knew of il. Conse-
quently he was somewhat embarrassed
when Z reporter stepped up to him in a
BARKER shop where he was having his
shoes shined and said ID a matfer-0f- fact
way.
Good afternoon, governor, getting
fixed up for your dancing Iessonea
The governor Of tile great state Of ILL
InoIs IS not easily ..ratued." But at this
apparently harmless salutatlon he had a
narrow escape from a blush, hdgeted IN
his chair, and finally threw up both
hands. SAYING
aIIow On earth did you hear Of thats7
The governor was assured that it was
the social sensation Of the hour: that eX-
Gov Fifer had complained after the N eW
\ ears Assembly ball at the Leland at
Springfield that Gov Altgeld had cut
him out entirely, and that the Chicago
ladies who We're at the ball had Ter
turned with glowing account Of the eN-
ecutivess grace and agility On the pol
ished floor
The governor looked just a tride in
credulous at these tiQlngs of great Joy,
but finally got his self-possessi0n back
and said deliberately
man more severe and cruel than
Spanish nquisitor, have taken up dane
ing and think IL is a great game.
The governors courage began to rise.
lie screwed himself around ia AIS chair
and demanded.
~Why shouldn't dance if I feel like
doing sos"
Being assured that IN all probability
nobody on earth would care 20 express
amy objections TO the guhernat0rial eyre
tions, Gov. Altgeld continued.
Dancing is a right handy accomplish
ment for q governor 10 catch on %. Now
before I went to Springfield i mover
cared much about dances or dancing
Once in q great while some body would
persuade me TO 90 to ball, but even
what was going on. When / found my
self at Springfield and In the guherna-
torial mansion j soon discovered / was
not capable Of performing the social du-
ties Of my position simply because
could not dance. q OW there are trree
swell sets in Springfield, and all Of them
hold their dances IN the executive man
sion. The sWellest of these sets ls known
as the Assembly. and its functions are
attended bv the elite of Springfield This
year the first Assembly bau was held
IN the executive mansion On the
invitation of Mrs. Altgeld and my
self Well, the ball being In my house
of course 4 was supposed to take an ac-
tive interest lfl IT'S ell TO ON
UP and be truthful danced"
The governor didn say anything about
it. but there Is q vague rum0r from he
direction Of springfield that after chat
same first assem- bly ball ia the guDerua-
i t0rial mansion there was an Interview be-
tween the governor and some Of his
shrewdest political advisers which ended
up thus:
"This won't do, governor; you must
take dancing Iessons.
~fIhen there Is another set ia Spring
field" continued The governor SIT had i
bali and [ danced there. The third swell
set belongs to the boys and girls, the
frying-size,' [ call them, and. of course
I had 10 dance with them"
*Of whom did you take lessons" was
\ asked
The governor laughed.
did YOU take music lessOnss
"WeH, now, OF course I had never
danced before Went TO Springfield and
without some little practice it is needless
to say I would have been a1vllsy yard. Tn
less the governor Of the state of Illinois
wants to be a wall flower and au incum-
brance at the massive balls he must be
able 20 dance. And tO dance he must
practice. / do not say he must take
dancing lessons. but lie should certainly
pick up enough Of the art % enable him-
self to be at home.
What style OF dance do you prefere"
Nov, I'm not much up in dancing. as
I have said. and really. as yet / am not
( much more graceful than a masfOdOn
1 pup but i like the waltz I think ii is
divine. In dancing waltzas, galops,
shottisches quadrilles, and all Tie others,
I ana merely following i'm the footsteps of
Gov. Fifer, Gov. Oglesby, and others.
They ali danced and danced well. and
there is no reason why I should not
make myself agreeable and do a turn
with the ligh1 fantastic business. as 4 be-
Iieve it is called