Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-07-24
The EVIL IN ARLOR
DANCES, SOCIAL HOPS
AND GRAND BALLS

You will, "Uncle Tom" find man,
very plain things from the beginning
to the end of this article-thiugs whicl
will pei haps shock your modesty anC
probably disgust you altogether, bu
if you fud merely the reading of thest
facts disgusting, think how much NOR,
disgusting is the reality and how es
sential that some one should portray
the evil TO the public in a manner i'm
pressive and not to be misunderstood.
You will, doubtless, object to- this
piece on accout It of the plainness OF
tha language used, but, my friend,
we will endcavor to tell you the truth,
AMI to DO i.6 on such subject ooes
not admit 2 ae use of delicate Ian
guage A W.d Stint at such a fact,
clothed iu 9owery language, would
only serve tSgive a vague impression
and would ian far short of the mission
we wish this little piece to accom-
plisa. We do not undertake to write
upon q subject of which we are ignor-
ant There are few people living who
have had more practical experience OF
better opportunities of finding out the
evil influences of dancing than our
selves. We tell you this to prove to
you that we know whereof we sneak,
Let us assure you, "Uncle Tom, -
in the first place, that we are well
aware thSt there are many church
membersand prof ssing christians who
dance, but II on. the strength of this
you deem il safe amusement, come
with me for only few minutes and
when you bave seen all that l can
show you let your Judgement tell you
whether you can, with safety, place
your pure, beautiful daughter in a
dance ball or ball room, To convince
''Uncle Tom" we must have an exam
pie.
Here is a beautiful young girl. Al
low us to use her as an example. She
is the daughter of wealthy parents
They wish to bestow upon her every
accomplishment which modern society
demands, so when it is announced that
there j to be ball at the home of one
of the most aristocratic families in d
city, she is eager to attend, and ac-
compA-ied by her father, who only
remains for few of the square
dances but soon retires, knowing that
bis fair daughter will not want for
attention from gentlemen whose at
tentions he is sure must be desirable.
Why not! Are these admirers not rich
and handsome and do they not move in
the highest society The dance is in
a large drawing room, elegant in all
its appointments, Its coloring, as seen
by gas light, is soft, rich, and beauti-
fully blended or prettily contrasted.
Its pictures are rare bits of art from
the brush Of the most popular artists
of ancient and modern times, and all
its ornamentations is forcibly sugges-
tive of culture and refinement. All
these things she feels rather than sees,
for her attention is riveted upon the
gay company assembled She hears
the hnm of many voices and sees be-
fore her scenes of fair women and
handsome men. Diamonds flash, silks
rustic, and no garden of flowers ever
displayed a greater variety of rich
and dainty color intermingled, or
flashed more brightly its gems of
dew. But. - hark from be- |
hind that bower of blossoms and ever
green in yonder recess comes strains of |
music which set the little white slip
Ders to tapping out the time as it's
waits impstiently for the waltz
20 begin, and now the room presents
. scene of whirling, swirling figures.
At first this young girl seems shock
ID at the way her partner embraces
Ter to teach her the latest waltz. 1t
$ ber first experience in the arms of
strange man, with bis limbs pressed
0 hers, and in her natural modesty
he shrings from so familiar touch.
t brings bright flush of Indignation
o her cheeks, as she thinks what an
nladylike and indecent position to as
ume with man who but few hours ]
go was an utter stranger. But she
avs to herself: "This is the position {
must take who waltzes in the {
lost approved style-church members s
nd all-so. of course, it is no harm (
Or me. During the first of the even g
lg her companion finds her more re- |
srved than is to his taste, but he says t
} himself, "Only wait, my fair one, 1
ntil supper time and the wine will /
D the work desired" =
Twelve o'clock at last comes and a
ith it the summons to the supper C
,om. Here the Widespread table, the J.
rililaut lights, the flowers, the music {
nd the gay conversation are all S
,urces of the greatest pleasure to the t
naccustomed girl. 1t is fact that b
inc is flowing freely and that all are v
artaking of it. She hears her com il
lnion order a bottle of wine opened.
Q pours and offers it, saying, Just d
social glass. > She does not, refuse d
II all tue others are drinking and she a
h