The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-02-16
BREAKING THE ICE.

D4tIJ1Al4No L LIZ lNilI.
When William Larker irreVocably nAde
up his mind to tako Mary Kuchcnbach to
the great county picnic at Blue Bottle
springs, he did not tell his father, as was
his custom in most matters. Toa straight
laced old Dunkard like Herman I.arkor
the very thought of attendance upon such
cnrousal, with its round dancing and
square dancing, would have seemed al
most impcty. Henry kuchcnbach was
likewise n member of that strict sect, but
not qnito SO narrow In his ideas MS his
moro pious ncighbnr Yet to him also the
suggestion of his daughter being "A par
ticipant iii such frivolity would lavo met
with scant approval.
But William was longing to dance. For
many years lie had secretly and fondly
cherished the bolief that he was possessed
of much in born ability in that art--a gen
ius compelled to remain dormant by the
narrowness, the strictncss of his family'4
ideas. Many rainy afternoon had he
given vent to his desire by swinging cor
ners and deux ct dcux ing about his fa-
ther's barn floor, with no other partner
than wheat shcaf and no other music
than that produced by his own capacious
lips.
1t was for this reason that when on one
beautiful July day William Lurker at
tired IN his best, plain black frock coat,
trousers of the same material reaching Just
below his shoe tops, huge derby hat no
longer black, but green, as a result of long
exposure to the elements, and new pair
of shoes well tullowed-stepped into his
buggy, tapped his sleek mare with the
whip and started at u brisk pace toward
the kuchcnbnch farm, his stern parent be-
liovcd that hu was going to the great bush
meeting at Bunkcrtuwn, l2 miles up tho
pike, and was devoutly thankful to sre
his son growing in piety, and when Mary
kuchonbach, buxom and rosy, wearing u
plain black dress, the sombernoss of which
was relieved solely by whito kerchief
about the neck, and a gray pokebonuet,
as became ono of her sect, climbed up and
took the vacant place beside him. Henry
kuchonbach, standing at tho gate with
his wifo ut his side, called after them as
the vehicle ratified away, Be suro an tell
Preacher Book when he comes this way to
stop in an get thnt crock o sausagcs we've
ben keepin fur missus."
And good Mrs. Kuchcnbach threw up her
hands and exclaimed, Amt them a love-
ly pair'''
YES" replied the husband grlmly IAN
they've hen kCcpin company six years
now an that there fellow amt never spoke
his mind" ..... .s....= ..-..
Meantime tho buggy sped along the
smooth road, the rattle Of its wheels, tho
clatter of the sleek mare's hoors and the
shrlll call Of the killdee skimmiug across
the meadows being the sole sounds that
broke the silence of the quiet country. A
mile was gone over, and then the girl said
faltcringly, "B.e-c.ll amt ct wrong?'
William in response hit the horse vi
cious cut with the whip and replied:
Et don seem jest right ter fool 'em,
but you'll fergit bout ct wen we git dane
In.
Il amt never BEN ter one o. them pic-
mics, an l feel afraid"
Then there was silence between them
silence broken only at rare intervals,
when one of the pair ycnturod some com
m0nplGce remark which was always re-
warded with luconic reply of 'Yais" or
"Yer don't say2'
Up hill and down ratified the buggy,
following tho crooked country road acruss
the wide valley. Over three low, wooded
ridges, then several miles up the broad
meadows that limo tho picturesque Juniata
it wonded its way, until at length tho
green grove In the center of which lies
Blue Bottle spring was reached.
The festivities had already begun. The
outskirts of the wood wero filled with We
hicles of every scription-buggics, buck
boards, spring wagons, omnibuses and an
cient phaotons.
An orchestra of three pieces, a bass viol,
violin and a cornot, operated by three
mon in shirt sleeves, sent forth whcezy
strains to the time of which men and
women, young, old and middle aged gay
ly swung corners and partners, Ealluped
forward and back, made ladies' chains and
gentlemens chains winding in and out
and then back and buwing, until William
Larker and his companion fairly grew
dizzy. The crowd of dancers was IA hetrro-
geneous one.
There were young men from the neigh
boring county town, gorgeous in blazers
of yariegatod colors; there were young
farmers whose movements were not in the
least impedcd by tho somber, heavy cloth
ing or the high crowned, broad trimmed
hats that they worc there were few par
ticularly forward youths in bicycle attire,
aud three gay young men from the neigh
boring city of harrisburg, whose shining
high silk hats and dancing pumps made
them the envy of their more rustic COM
panions Tho women likewise, in beauty
and dress, went to both extremes. Gayiy
tiowered, airy calico, cashmere and gng
ham hobbcd about among shining, frigid
suIlilS anu SILKS us INQUEST AS tlltlf owners
in demeanor. Now in apparent inextri-
cable chaos; now in perfectly orderly form
six sets; now winding into a dazzling
mass of silk, calico, high silk hats and
blazers, then out again went the dancers,
oh, ant ct grandi' exclaimed Mary
kuchenhach, clasping her hands
"Thets good dancin, tell yer," her
companion replied enthusiastically.
She had seated herself upon II stump,
and be was leaning against srce a few
feet away.
Good dancin. jest look at them three
ceety fellers, with them high shiny hats, a
swingin corners. Now ant they cuttin
its Next comes ala man all Jest watch
'em-the two in the fur set the way they
throw their feet-the gal in pink with the
feller in short pants and striped coat.
Now back Thet there's dancin, tell
yer, Mary. Gents dozey dough next.
Thet ere feller don't call fggcrs loud
enough, Thece they go-bad in the near
set-thet's better See them eeety fellers
agin-swingin partners Grand chainl
Good all roGnd-no-theres a break.
Sec the girl in blue sating-she's turned
too soon. tH.Nhet's better-tothor way-bow
yer corners-nnw yer own All over. "
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