The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-20

the tone of conversation a full octave and gave it triple-time movement; added new life to the wit and limbs of the young folks. and set the old men to cracking jokes.
 At length the time came for me to surprise and delight Mrs. Gibson The young folks insisted upon the old folks taking reel, and this was just what l had been waiting for; for, after many plans for making the discovery, I had finally concluded upon that which l thought would make ''her" joy gen. eral among the company; and that was, to announce myself, just before leading her to the dance, in a voice audible to most of the assembly. I therefore read lily assented to the proposition of the young folks, as did two others of my age, and we made to the ladies for our partners-I, of course, offered my hand to Mrs. Gibson.
 Come" said l. Mrs. Gibson, let us see if We can't outdance these young peo- ple' sf
 Dear me sir said she, "I haven't danced a step these twenty years"
 Neither have |; but I've resolved to try once more if you'll join me. just for old times sake'
 "I really cannot think of dancing," said she.
 Well" continued I raising my voice to a pretty high pitch, on purpose to be heard. while my countenance kindled with exultation at the astonishment and de- light which was about to produce), you surely will dance with an old friend and sweetheart who used to dance with you when a grll'
 At this disclosure her features assumed vast variety of expressions; but none of them responded precisely to my expeeta- tion; indeed, some of them were of such an equivocal and alarming cha1Iacter that I deemed it advisable not to pro- ceeded:
 Have you forgot your old sweetheart Abram Baldwin,"
 ''Whatl' said she, looking more as- tonished and confused than ever. 'Abram Baldwin, Abram Baldwin l don't think I ever heard the name before.''
 Do you remember Jim Johnson?" said l.
 "Oh, yes!" said she; mighty welln- smile
 And Bill Martin?'
 Yes; perfectly we'll Why, who are you?'
 Here we were interrupted by one of the gentlemen. who had led his partner to the floor, with
 Come, stranger, we're getting mighty tired O standing. It won't do for old people that's going to dance to take up much time in standing; they'll lose all their spryness. Don't stand begging Polly Gibson she never dances but take my Sal there,. next to her-shell run reel with you to Old Nick's house and back agin.'
 No alternative was left me, and there- fore l offered my hand to Miss Sally-I didn't know who.
 Well" thought I, as l moved to my place. 'the squire is pretty secure from jealousy, but Polly will soon remember me when she sees my steps in the reel. will dance precisely as I did in my youth. if it tire me to death" There was one step that was almost exclusively my own, for few of the dancers of my day could perform 1t at all and none with the grace and ease that l did. Shell remember Abram Baldwin," thought I, '.as soon as she sees the double cross hop" It was performed by rising and crossing the legs twice or thrice before alighting, and I used to carry 1t to the third cross with considerable ease. It was a step solely adapted to setting or balancing as all will perceive; but l thought the occasion would justify little perversion of 1t, and therefore resolved to lead off with 1t, that Pelly might at once be relieved from suspense. Just, however, as l reached my place. Mrs. Gibson's youngest son, boy about eight years old. ran in and cried out.
 Nanny. old Boler's jumped upon the blanks and dragged off a great hunk O meat as big as your head, and broke a dish and two plasps all to darn smashes!''
 Away went Mrs Gibson and off went | the music. Still I hoped that matters would be adjusted in time for Polly to return and see the double cross-hop; and | I felt the modification which my delay in getting a partner had occasioned some- l.--l,n uala aaI htrf a raj had thrown me at the foot of the reel. The first and second couples had near ly completed their performances, and Polly had not returned. I began to grow uneasy and to interpose as many delays as I could without attracting notice. The six reel is closed by the foot cou- ple balancing at the head of the set, then in the middle, then at the foot. again in the middle, meeting at the head and leading down.
 My partner and I had commenced ball. ancing at the head, and Polly had not returned. I balanced until my partner forced me on. I now deemed it advisable to give myself up wholly to the cross hop, so that if Polly should return in time to see any step 1t should be this, though I was already nearly exhausted. Accordingly I made the attempt to intro duee it in the turns of the reel; but the first experiment convinced me of three things at once-first, that could not have used the step in this way in my best days; second, that my strength would not more than support it in it's proper place for the remainder of the reel; and, third, if l tried it again in this way I should knock my brains out against the puncheons; for my partner, who seemed determined to confirm her husbands report of her, evinced no disposition to wait upon ex- periments, but, fetching me jerk while I was up and my legs crossed had well nigh sent me headforemost to Old Nick s house, sure enough.
 We met in the middle, my back to the door, and from the silence that prevailed in the yard l fiattered myself that Polly might be even now catching the first glimpse of the favorite step, when heard her voice, at some distance from the house.
 Get you gone G-e-e-e-t you gone! G-e-e-e-e-t you gone! G-e-e-e-e-t you gone'
 Matters outdoors were now clearly ex- plained. There had been a struggle to get the meat from Boler; Boler had tri- umphed and retreated 10 the woods with his booty, and Mrs. Gibson was heaping indignities upon him in the last resort.