Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-05-25
The Dancing Teacher.


% . 90 VVooS0V'
The peculiar thing about Marie Van
derpool was that she had an intem-
perate appetite for happiness. She
took to dancing slippers as naturally
as other folk take to goloshes or walk
ing boots. She sank as readily as
other folk sigh. She discovered a
chance for frolic with the same en-
thusiasm that others found an oppor-
tunity for work.
No one ever claimed that she was
OF any use, and she certainly never
made any such claim herself. It
never occurred to her that she could
be useful, and she often reflected that
in world so swarmlng with useful
persons as this appeared to be-if one
judged by the self-placed estimate Of
these persons-there was plenty Of
room for one blissful creature Of a
non-utilitarian sort.
All of the other members Of her
Of them were wise. They won distinc-
ton along commercial and intellec-
tual lines, were noted for their phil
anthropies, and were solicited to lend
their names to causes" They were
associated with nearly all of the lead
ing benevolent enterprises of the city.
Now, it is impossible for any seeing
and hearing person to go about Chi
cago without becoming aware of the
fact that large number of the citi-
zens of this busy town are not having
a good time Even Marie observed it.
She saw children with old faces, and
men with despair looking out Of their
eyes, and women nervous and crushed
that would not keep out the cold, and
coats that hung in rags from the
shoulders that supported them. And,
what was equally pathetic, she noticed
that many persons worked so hard to
silence "the VOLTS long howl" that
they had no heart for pleasure.
ut is as likely as not" said Marie,
to herself, that they have never dis
covered how to be happy" And she
felt vast commisseration for them
Not to be happy! 1t was fearful-or
it was stupid!
1t CHANGED that on one occasion there
was a certain festivity at settlement
house in one of the most crowded and
poverty-stricken parts of the city, and
that Marie was invited to go. 1t was
not, perhaps, just the sort of thing she
would have selected, but as there was
nothing else doing that evening, FOR a
wonder, and as she had no mind to
sit down with q book, she concluded to
go. She was a good deal puzzled to
know what to wear, for she was partic
ular about the proprieties, but she hit
upon costume at length that seemed
to be neither too plain nor too fine.
She surveyed herself with pleasure. 1t
was pleasant to have large and brill
liant brown eyes, a mass of hayward
golden hair, snow white neck and
shoulders, nodded with tender and
abundant grace, and mouth that
smiled with more merriment than the
common run OF mouths.
But what Marie saw at the settle
ment was calculated to make her for
get, for once, the appearance of which
she was so proud. She even forgot to
be resentful because some of the peo-
pie she met were serious. For the first
time she found herself face to face
with the serious problem Of life-for
the first time a dim notion that life
was given to be used, struggled up
through her consciousness. She found
women as well born as herself. and
much better educated and trained, de-
voting their lives to others-and there
fore to themselves, since in the eX-
penditure of life in service comes the
best development. This type OF
womanhood was new to her. She had
been acquainted with many who pa
tronlzed charities and benevolences,
but here were women who found 1t a
privilege to express life in terms of
love. Moreover, she found the neigh
bors" who came to the settlements
interesting in the extreme. Here was
a whole library Of human documents,
so to speak, awaiting her perusal. She
looked in the faces Of the girls, seri-
GUS before they should be so, showing
the signs of close confinement In stores
and sweating shops, and binderies and
tobacco factories, and it seemed to her
as II she must pour sunlight into their
lives from the abundant source OF 1t
within her own heart.
but l could do nothing" she said
dejectedly, to one of the residents. i
should only be in the way"
81 don't think you could be in the
way anywhere, Miss Vanderpool," the
lady had replied, gently. IF you
would Just come here and laugh for us
occasionally, as you know how, it
seems to me it might be an invaluable
service"
Marie laughed then involuntarily,
and at the bird-like, joyful note doz-
en- persons turned around with SYM
pathetic smile upon their faces.
The next night there was dancing
party at the house of friend of Marie.
She went to it as eagerly as if it had
been her first ball, and she was love-
ly sight in her white gown with its