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

squeaky organ, 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 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
bis flannel shirt and soiled overhalls,
yelled "pardners", and il was in
toresting 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 "Slute yer pardners right an
left-join yer han an circle t. th'
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
ly, and wove in and out, always find
ing stheir places in timo for the
promenade away" but several
there were. graceful as swallows,
gliding about with an ease OF manner
but who were wholly at sea when
expected to follow the course laid
out by the loud-mouthed parsonage
on tie platform. Nevertheless,
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 noticed was partic-
ularly attractive in appearance and
manner, and l sought en- introduc.
tion. The first person to whom !
appealed said: "All right, come on
"But hold on" l said would it
not be we'll to first see if 1t is agree.
able to the lady?"
''OA, that's all right" he replied,
dragging me along. We had quite
chat, and / rather monopolized hel
time for the rest OF the evening
Seeking to draw her out I said: ''I1
is easy to see that you have not
lived on ranch all your life.'
"Why Of course not, she replied
With a half smile OF amusement, hall
of injured dignity. Nothing daunted
/ pressed on gradually, and learned
that she comes OF rather poor fam
lily, but one which had formerly beer
in easy circumstances. Having tt
work for her living she had come tt
Bon ssteel and drawn lucky mum
Der. When asked what she did fol
amusement she said that she rode ,
great deal, "and attend the danoes?'
l added. "No," she answered
quietly, "this is my first. and. M,
lest one as WE'LL" This was about
eleven o'clock, and tho low-gradt
"booze" was beginning to take effect
nicely. The fiddler was rather un
steady, the callers lips were thick
and his tongue did not operate quite
so smoothly as at drst, while the
dancers were swinging ever faster
stamping louder, and going into eact
set with added zeal. A number o
the ladies were leaving. and she on,
talking with me now rose to 90.
offered to escort her home, but sh'
thanked me kindly and said the.
(another lady was with her) wore no
afraid after they got away from th
hall. I therefore saw them ssfel,
past the gang who were loungini
about door outside in all stages Q
intoxication, bade them goodnight
and returned to the hall. BY twelv
Io'clock the crowd had materiall
lessened, but the hilarity ever in
creased, until it was little short q
an orgy. About twenty couple
took possession, two or three case
of beer were carried to the platforr
and placed conveniently for every
one to reach at will. Just as I wa
leaving l noticed that the musi
suddenly stopped, and turning, sa,
that the orchestra" was dry. Ate