The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-28
Tie Reckles.ne.. of Mr.. BOX.

A gentleman named Hail. author of
book called Tabernacle Talks" has
made discovery in the literary world
which should, for the good and the hap
piness of the public, be made gener
ally known. Gentlemen who write lit
tie books with such titles as "Taber-
nacle Talks "Droppings From the
Eaves of Grace" and What Christians
Ought to Know" are apt to make start
ling discoveries of one sort or another.
But this one is more than startling.
1t is unique. Mr.. Hall accuses Mr.. Box
of ha~ing an immoral influence.
A whole chapter of Mr.. Halls latest
book. which is directed against dane
ing schools, is devoted to warning the
unsuspecting public against the equal
~ ucsuspecting Box. 1t is safe to say
that when the guileless and happy
hearted editor of THE Ladies' Home
Journal" ventured to endorse dancing
in moderation he never supposed that
his utterances would be taken as proof
that he was a villain seeking to lead
young people astray. Yet Mr.. Hall
pronounces upon him. with becoming
solemnity this awful verdict:
''As adviser in morals, ! should prefer to
look further for my boys"
Hitherto anxious mothers have thought
that If they could only persuade their
FESTIVE and hayward youngsters to
stay at home evenings and read THE
Ladies Home Journal instead of
stories about the James boys and the
early days of Deadwood. the home cir
Gle would be quite perfect, and peace
full, and serene. When Mr.. Bok's little
book "Successward" appeared, it was
hailed with delight by dotinc ladies as
exactly the right sort of birthday gift
for their sons. grandsons, or nephews
starting out into the world They had
no suspicion that it contained anything
dangerous, anything contrary to pro-
priety or good morals. They would as
soon have expected to find a well-de-
veloped case of intoxication as a re-
suit of bottle of milk.
But it must be so. for Mr.. Hall says
it is. He says that Mr.. Bok's innocent
statement that dancing is a healthy
amusement is libel on decency" 1t
is perfectly safe to state that if Mr..
Dun iAeAu iistb stiiy that IL WAS ne
would have sold his typewriter and
gone into retreat before he would have
written it. Again. Mr.. Hall earnestly
states:
These paragraphs dancing are dangerous
to the uninitiated. and deserve a severe censor
ship
The idea that Edward w. Box could
be dangerous either to the initiated or
the uninitiated, is so new that the pub
lie will have 20 take some time to think
it over. 1t has been the impression of
the world in general that it was that
gentleman's one aim in life not to be
dangerous; that he would exclude with
iron rieidity, from the columns of his
paper everything that could wound the
most delicate sensibilities, and that he
was discreet enough. and mild enough,
and well instructed enough to be a
chaperon If necessary. Yet, here we
have Mr.. Hall declaring that the only
kind of dancing it would be safe for
Mr.. Box to do would be dancing with
IS aunt. his grandmother. or his COVER
nessi If these things are true 1t is not
enough to say that Mr.. Box has been
leading a double life; he must have
been leading one done up in skiold
mystery,