Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-05-22
HE WENT TO A BALL.
OVERCOME BY THE HOSPITALITY OF
YOUNG LOUISVILLE MEN.

The Dance Was at q Female Seminary, and
It Was Full of Surprises-The Stranger
Declared He Would Never Attend An
other "Swell" Dance In Kentucky.
Speaking of practical jokes, said
night, 81 was the victim of one of the
most embarrassing l have heard of for
long time. 1t was during my first trip
south, and not being familiar with the
people in this part of the country I
thought I had found a really sociable
place when three young 'swells' Of the
town with whom had been talking the
evening before asked me to go with
them to dance that was to be given at
a female seminary few miles from this
city. I had been away from home for
some time, and not having had the
pleasure of being in the company Of
young ladies I was fairly delighted at
the idea of spending pleasant evening
"I told them would be pleased to
go, and after hurried preparation we
started. The young men laughed at the
idea Of my paying anything toward the
carriage hire, and felt that I had never
been in the company of a more hospita-
BILE set Of men.
"When we arrived at the place, the
dance had already begun. We left the
carriage in care of negro man and en-
tered the ballroom Of course felt very
strange at first among so many strangers,
but my companions seemed TO feel quite
at home and insisted that l should meet
some of the young women at once. One
of the young men took me by the arm
and led me across the room to where
there sat a young woman who was rather
pretty and had an extremely neat ap-
pearance.
"After receiving an introduction to
her sat down and started conversa-
tion. Soon she was talking at an aston
ishingly rapid rate. I became rather in
terested in the girl, but was very much
surprised to learn that she was the twen-
tieth daughter of a wealthy farmer. At
last she began to talk and laugh so loud
ly that began to feel little embar-
rassed and asked her if she did not want
to dance. She was on her feet in an in
slant, and we had danced few steps
when she suddenly yelled out at the top
of her voice: Don't Don't! Oh, don't
hold me so tight! am full Of dyna-
mite. And she uttered a yell that made
the cold chills run up and down my
back.
IT turned her loose in an instant and
stood simply Mortified. Ifelt like swear
ing when the other people in the room
only laughed and went on dancing. I
did not know what to do. I knew I had
done nothing I should not have done,
Intentionally at least, but I started up
to her with an apology, when one of my
companions came up with a young wom-
an on his arm. He gave me an introduc-
tion to her and asked me if I would not
dance the next set with her. I did not
feel like dancing bit, but there was no
way of getting out Of it, SO told him I
would. While we were sitting down
waiting for the next dance she told me
she had been married IA times and had
1000 children at home. thought she
was just trying to joke me and asked
her where she lived. She said she lived
in heaven. knew something was wrong
with her, and made up my mind right
there that would not dance with her.
I asked her to excuse me moment, and
without waiting for reply rushed
across the room toward the door.
thought to myself that if once got on
the outside would never attend another
swell dance in Kentucky.
"I had got within q few feet Of the
door when an old woman ran up and
threw her arms around my neck. She
yelled out that was her lost son, who
ran away from home 400 years ago,
when was a mere child. I tried to tear
myself away from the woman, and she
tainted at my feet. 1 made dart for
the door, and when Ireached the thresh-
old looked back and saw several per-
sons carrying her off the floor. was
dazed. expected to be arrested every
moment. ! saw man outside and asked
him if there was not train leaving that
place soon. He said there would be one
going to Louisville in about an hour,
and concluded to wait around the lit
tie station until it was ready to leave. I
do not remember to have ever heard
more welcome sound than the whistle
of that train, after spending an hour in
silent misery. Preached nv hotel in this
city shortly after midnight, but could
not sleep. 1 had learned on the train
that I had been to an insane asylum
ball, and I was as mad as a hornet
"The next morning the young men
came around to the hotel and apologized,
and now they are the best friends have
in this city. louisville Courier-Jou