Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-08-31

F wa 0N'hAe vi :" 80
the pedal extremities. Bnt it makes
up in other characteristics the naught-
mess OF the skirt-dancer. No part oil
the body remains idle in the muscle
dance. The head, the arms, the body
and the lower limbs all move in re.
spouse to the measured rythm OF the
music. The dancing of the first and
second of these oriental beauties, was
but the prelude to familiarize the
audience with the eliminating effort
OF La Belle Fatima, who reserved her
efforts for the grand finale, after the
sword practice. The Turkish sword
lacks the graceful outlines of the
sword OF more civilized nations. Ii
looks more like a curved cheese-knife
without guard or hilt, is about three
feet in length, and appears to be
grasped very near the middle. But il
is a murderous-looking weapon, and
in the hands of the experts who wilded
them, it was a wonder that someone
was not hurt. The blows rattling on
the round metal shields, sounded like
a TATTOO upon drum, so rapidly were
the parties and thrusts and blows oil
the contestants. 1t closed, however
with neither receiving scratch, and
they appeared only broken somewhat
in wind after their brisk engagement.
Now came the GROWING feature Of
the entertainment. Fatima stepped
forward and bowed an acknowledgment
of the salvo of applause which greeted
her. She is tall, slender and exceed
ingly graceful in her movements.
Pausing moment, her body began
almost imperceptibly swaying to the
time OF the music. Gradually her mo-
tons became more positive, until
every muscle was brought into play.
Then she began moving about the
stage, her body swaying, and her feet
keeping perfect step with the music.
Her movements were at times lam
guild, then brisk and energetic, and
with a marvellous adaptation to the
notes that were thrummed on the in
struments. She carried in either
hand q pair OF castanets which were
used to emphasize and apparently d.
rect the measure of the performance.
The sinuosity of the human body can
never be realized without witnessing
this dance. The India-rubber man,
who accompanies the jugglers, may tie
himself into knot, but he cannot
give so clear conception OF the adap-
liabilities to which the human form
may be trained, as the muscle dancer.
As a finale to this wonderful exhibi-
ton of graceful muscular effort, Fsti-
ma paused and began whirling with
gradually accelerated motion, until
her revolutions become so rapid that
it fairly made her audience dizzy, and
she continued this for one-two-
three-nearly four minutes-and then
walked to her seat without apparent
fatigue or dizziness. Fatima was three
times recalled, which indicates the
zeal of the journalists in pursuing
their studies OF Natures capabilities
under efficient training.
If some grave signor should ask the
STANDARD its opinion of the morality
of the danse du ventrc it would declare
that it is no more "immoral" than
many other acts which pass muster in
the presence of Dame Propriety. 1t
may be suggestive for those who are
searching for hidden things; but-well
we will not quote that ancient proverb
about the pure in heart. It is, how
ever, an exhibition which we would
not advise the teacher of an infant
Sunday school class to patronize, for it
would be money i'll spent; nor would
we recommend it TO the individual who
wears a white choker, for it is proper
at all times to avoid the appearance of
evil, and there may be no telling in
what garb the Devil may be found
lurking. After the show, the party
took midnight stroll in the village.
and one of our party twice tried to
mount camel but failed to make =
success of it. An hour later each and
every one of the party were sleeping
the slumbers of peace and content
ment in their respective beds in the
City Of Destiny.
Senator Squire, instead OF Gov. Nc
Graw, pressed the button, which set
the machinery Of the Interstate Fair
in motion after brief and eloquent
address, at IL 40 o'clock, Wednesday
afternoon. The streets of Tacoma
were beautifully decorated, and the
procession OF military companies and
civic societies was grand and imposing.
It is regretted that space will not ad-
nit OF q more extended description of
the opening ceremonies on that day.
|
Mike Cody, q Whatcom livery man,
took a passenger up the North Fork of
the Nooksack, and, as the river was too
deep to ford, he hired O'Donnell's boy
to take them across on Kline's patent
ferry. As the skiff was showed out in
the stream the rope that works the
appliance got caught in the end of the
boat and dumped the three passengers
in the river. Cody and the boy, after
much exertion, got on jam of logs 40
rods down the stream. The other
passenger hung to the cable, and re-
manned in the water till horse was
secured to take him out, after an hour
in the water.
Tom Gilmore tells The Dalles Chroa.
icle the grasshoppers have taken the
country across the Columbia. In the
foot hills the leaves have all been eat.
en- off the oak trees, and the corn has
hoau atyinpod until, uothinO hrk this