The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-05

were he living in Topeka today:
".on with the dance
Let JOY be unrefined."
They dance and they sweat and
they - sweat. Perhaps "perspire"
would be more elegant, but it isn't
it's sweat. Terpsichore. that mythical
old deity at whose shrine so many
of us worship and who has caused
nearly as much trouble in this world
as her side-kick Cupid, has a large
following IN Topeka. Strengthened
by her new ally. Jazz. the foxy old
girl-or is she young-has hypnotized
many Topekans, so that mere heat
means nothing in their lives.
1t Is typical Saturday night in a
local dance hall. The mercury has
been trying to jump out OF the top
or the thermometer all day, nearly
succeeding, and the evening is hold
ing the heat better than the average
thermos bottle. But here they are,
me Jazz-hounds' wrapped in their tor
rid struggles.
The nee floor. as we look down
from the orchestra's balcony, il a
yeritable human sea, a blurred, in
dlstlnguishable mass of pleasure seek
ers. 1t is just one big swirl. How
can SO many dance in that space" in
CURES my friend. I shake my head.
Let's go down stairs where we can
see them better" 1 suggest.
mat suggestion was the easiest part
or It. Actually getting there was a
dltrerent matter. 1 had thought all
topeka was out on that dance floor
but at least half the population were
crowded on the stairs and in the hall
AT last we reached the edge OF that
mad, foX-trotting mob. Now we can
pick out some of the details Of what
was before but dense throng.
A Graceful Couple.
Here comes couple that arrest our
attention and draw forth from US the
unconscious remark, by Jove, there's
the same breath, And l really believe
they're enjoying it," tho we cannot
imagine such thing on such a night.
All at once, however. their smooth.
rhythmic glide is harshly interrupted.
Another couple hit them broadside.
The graceful ones glover and we I'M
consciously do likewise, while the
awkward ones shamefacedly mutter
apologies. We turn our gaze on them.
How could any one bump into other
dancers in that fashion?
II does not take long to understand.
This pair are having a hard time and
remind US like nothing so much as
leal<y boat laundering in rough sea
They are trying hard-and sweating.
hut every beat of music is a bar to
them. When he shoves a foot one
way, she shoves hers the same, and
her ouch" tells him he has erred.
Then she trips on some ones else foot
and only by dint of straining the good
right arm does he save both from fall
ing They are both pink from en-
barrassment now, but stagger heroic
ally on. Then the orchestra stops. We
can almost hear their sigh Of relief
and expect to see them hastily leave
-, q
not at such a premium. DO they?
No. noticeably. They stick. We have
a. feeling of admiration for them;
surely such perseverance as this de-
serves a reward. The music starts
again. and It seems our silent wish is
10 be fulfilled. They make A clean"
start and are progressing along rather
we'll when-bang!-th smash into
another couple. both of whom we
WAGER have TO get weighed on wagon
scales. We hastily divert our gaze
elsewhere: We can hear to see no more
Of such punishment.
WHAT'S that over in the far corner?
The "shimmy"? Surely not. We un-
dcrstand that was on the blacklist at
all Topeka dances. public or private.
But. there It Is. You can't mistake
the "shimmy," not ia you have your
eyesight. and we have. o boy!
lust then the wiCglirg pair look
around gultily to see IL the manager
of the han or any officers of the law
are observing. but. apparently satisfied
Of their security. they again turn to
their naughty "shiver." We modestly
cover our ewes. but not for long BY
George. SHE does II gracefully. II
we weren't married
Left to Shimmying.
with all power that is admirable.
we leave the "shimmiers" to their
"shimmying" Here comes a middle
aged married couple. At least we
suppose they're married; they ought
to be. II they aren't. They are get
ting along in years. but their ideas
are still in the adolescent period. Just
watch them hop. That's it: they hop
They're not graceful, a hopper never is
on a dance floor and anyway this man
Is not a perfect "36" or a passable
"4s" for that matter. But. they're