The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-08-25

squeaky organ, 3 banjo and Z gui-
tar. The leader took bis stand
proudly. tuned up, gave the signal
to start, emphasizing it with q
flourish Of the bow, nod of his head
and q heavy stamp Of his boot (the
lattar continuing throughout the
%selection) and his unwieldy followers
swung into line. The inevitable
"caller" mounted the platform and
apparently unabashed on account of
his flannel shirt and soiled overhalls,
yelled "pardners", and it was in
teresting to watch the shy youths
march around the room until they
could muster the nerve to ask some
fair damsel to assist with: the
dance. When all was ready the CAL
Ter again took his place (while the
orchestra began for the fourth time
to repeat the selection and bawled
out "S'lute yer pardners right an
left-join yer hans an circle T. tn
Left" continuing the directions in a
sing.song voice, clapping his hands,
improvisiug here and there, rhyming
where possible, endeavoring to
drown the noise Of the music and
stamping of many feet. Again the
difference: Most of those on the
floor understood tho changes perfect
~, and wove in and out, always find
ing 1their places in timo for the
promenade away" but several
there were. graceful a swallows,
gliding about with an ease OF manner
but who we're wholly at sea when
expected to follow the cours laid
out by the loud-mouthed parsonage
on tie platform. Never. the less,
they enjoyed it. Perhaps they had
come from some eastern town, and
for twelve months had seen nothing
nearer approaching civilization than
this.
One Of these I noticed was partic-
ularly attractive in appearance and
manner, aud I sought en- introduc.
tion. The first person TO whom I
appealed said: "All right, come on"
"But hold on" I said "would it
aot be well to first see If 1t is agree
able to the lady?"
"OA, that's all right" he replied,
dragging me along. We had quite a
chat, and I rather monopolixed her
time for the rest OF the evening
Seeking to draw her out l said: ut
is easy to sec that you have not
lived on . ranch all your life"
"Why Of course not" she replied,
With q half smile Of amusement, hall
of injured dignity. Nothing daunted
I pressed on gradually, and learned
that she comes OF . rather poor fam
lily, but one which had formerly been
in easy circumstances. Having tt
work for her living she had come tc
Bonssteel and drawn Q lucky mum
Der. When asked what she did tol
amusement she said that she rode Z
great deal, "and attend the dances7'
added. "No," she answered
quietly, "this is my first. and. m,
lest one as WE'LL" This was about
eleven o'clock, and the low-grade
"booze" was beginning to take effect
nicely. The fiddler was rather I'M
steady, the callers lips were thick
and his tongue did not operate quite
so smoothly as at 6rst, while tht
dancers were swinging yer faster
stamping louder, and going into eacl
set with added zeal. A number o
the ladies were leaving. and she on
talking with me now rose to 60.
offered to escort her home, but sh
. thanked me kindly and said the,
(another lady was with her) were no
afraid after they got away from th
: hall. I therefore saw them safel
past the gang who were loungin
. about door outside in all stages {
b intoxication, babe them goodnight
: and returned to the hall. BY twelv
. O'Clock the crowd had material
lessened, but the hilarity ever i,
creased, until it was little short {
an orgy. About twenty couple
d took possession, two o. three case
of beer were carried to the platforl
:: and placed conveniently for ever,
T.. one - reach at will. Just as I W.
b leaving l noticed that the mus
It suddenly stopped, and turning, So
that the orchestra was dry. Aft
y lquenching their thirst they aga:
n proceeded TO get under way, 8
though it took them much longer
le get together, and it was also motto
3 able that it took an added length
time for the dancers to catch Il