The San Francisco call., 1908-09-20
The San Francisco Sunday Call
I9aturdag Niqht af fhe Nickel Dance

-
she said this so demurely that l
wondered IL some psychological
change had really taken place. ror
a proverb on the campus that a coeo
has no sense OF humOr. Again tns
music stopped: endless streams OF
walters, clerks and boys were pour
ing into the place. Introductions "ere
sometimes compounded felonies.
Il wish 1 knew good dancer. SAID
a youth
Then why don't you butt in?" cried
a girl behind him. He butted.
Come on. SadisI A tall sailor nad
spoken. and she few into his arms
with an abandon that showed high ap-
probation OF our naval defense.
Where's your steady. NamieT
cried a girl to a friend.
Got a buzzer On; told me TO come
down alone and get happy
BY this time rbe pace was terrific
Ticket sellers we=e frantically tearing
rolls of tickets and making change
The introducers suspended inquiries as
to names. and Smith. Brown and Jones
were gobbled out without reference to
personal preference or baptismal ap-
pellations- The man on the floor had
relaxed his severe look. no social mis-
dsmeanor had been committed and he
looked happy
Perhaps he's married and will soon
be home with his wife" suggested my
companion
Hes thinking OF it now I ven
tered. A sudden and awful change had
come over his features: the beaming
look was gone. Surprise. horror and
vengeance struggled for expression on
his face.
Breathlessiy we awaited events as
Ike an Arizona sidewinder he sidled
through the crowd He pounced on an
erring couple with the sureness OF q
Ira Ill
Il told you about this before" h
shouted: now hike" The youHn
srinned apprecis lively; the girl. whom
have seen dispensing smiles and candy
In downtown store. objected volubly.
I've always been the perfect lady
and the incest dancer IN our club" she
protested
Hike" said the manager; this amt
no beachcombers' soiree."
Come on, kiddo; it's only a block TO
the other nickel dump" Her escort
with masculine philosophy had accepted
the situation. She turned on him thor
oughly exasperated-
Go on, you pie faced mutt I told
you to cut the trot out It amt no
fun TO be turned out OF a nickel dance"
She tried to cuff him, but he side
stepped, laughing as they left the hall.
Looking over the crowd. I could not
but marvel. IL was not representative
OF any recognized society. The girls
were obviously working girls. and
among them were types OF every CLINE
and some types at their best
There were girls wish beautiful olas-
sic features. eyes to dream about and
hair an artist might rave over, who
talked in the argot OF the alley.
So much has the amalgamation OF
many streams Of blood done for the
daughters Of the people.
AS we crossed the ferry homsward
bound the Berkeley girl remarked that
she thought the rfveter was Q post. or
at least a socialist
He told me I was one OF the crown
ing buds OF evolution. though I don't
like the word evolution; it sounds as
II there might be some further I'M
provement."
She sighed contentedly a. cur car
swung down Bancroft way.
1T has been delightful evening".
And I hatter myself that 10 was at
least original" I replied
And the invitation to the 'sooie4
with the policeman for q drawing GARD
was worth living for. only I wish the
colors had been a little more yividiy
contrasted."
"HowT' I asked.
Well" said the Berkeley girl. ~ Il
had been a little-Just q littie-bit
toughP'