Evening star., 1921-06-19

SenturOuS that mother could not ap-
prove and grandma and Aunt Sarah
young people. Aunt Sarah said they
were a sign of the growing laxity
in the manners Of the young. and the
new waltZes were shameful. such
things would not be permitted when
she attended Prof Labbe's dancing
academy in 1S40. or NJ. Jaaues CO.
cheu's soirecs a. the Washington
Assembly rooms in 1850. Why. at the
elegant balls which were held in the
dining room of Fuller's Hotel, Wash
ineton. and in the dining room OF the
Union Hotel. Georgetown. such dane
ing would have scandalized society,
The Rambler can see some of those
dangerous melodies (not maladiesl
as they rest on the old piano. Snail
we cast our eyes on those musty.
corrupt our musical taste and shatter
our youthful morals? On top Of the
pile lies After the Ball Is Over.
After the Break of Day: under 1t IS
Sweet Marie" and half hidden in the
pile were such new and positively
Throw Him Down. McClusky. Pull
Down the Blinds. for Some One Is
Looking; Swim Out, O'Grady: The
Rowery. the Bowery. Where They DO
Such Things and They, See SUCH
Things on the l;eo Gowesy; ysrn ine- casrse nowe
and unladylike selection. entitled
"Annie Rooney" and another very
suggestive piece called Waltz Me
Around Again. Willie: also bois-
ferrous and most unbecoming song
for young ladies. called "Bidalia Nc
Cam" And right next to it is some
thing which has caught the decadent
popular fancy and so far from having
any musical merit is really meretri.
cious The old Ravbler, cannot read
.hnF 10
stands. but he believes that he can
make out something like this:
"a little peach in an orchard grew:
Johnny Jones and his sister Sue. and
the peach of emerald hue: John TOOK
a bite and Sue took chew. and then
that the doctor couldn't subdue. Too
true. Too true. Listen to my tale OF
woe"
You all know what a disastrous
effect this modern creation had on
our moral standards. even though in a
material sense it warned US against
the dangers of eating green peaches
I cannot detach myself from that pile
of old music without calling your at
tcntion 10 two other melodies which
reeked Of modernfty. One was Swing
ing in grapevine swing. laughing
where the wild birds sing" and the
other was "Over the Garden wall"
and something about maiden fair
and tall. There isn't any doubt that
the generation was leading too wild
went down the river on the Mary
Washington. and took gay and festive
rides around the Belt line without
chaperone. Can you imagine any
thing more indiscreet? Then, too. the
whole world is going. speed mad:
Sarah. that some citizen is not
knocked down by herdic or bowled
over by young daredevils racing
through the streets on those high
wheeled bicycles. positively at speed
Of at least ten miles an hour! And.
really. I never saw such recklessness
and indifference to the rights of pc
destrians as shown by these drivers
on the Washington. Georgetown and
Navy Yard line. Why. they drive
thinking of bringing their horses
down to walk! And these new con-
ductors are so uncivil. Why. yester-
day ! waved my parasol to one to
wait for me. and he pretended not to
see me! And I was only two squares
away! All! how times have changed
since the Vanderwerking< <omnibuses
ran between High street and the navy
yard gate and from 9Th and the Ave-
nue. down to the steamboat wharf!
In those days the driver would climb
down from his high seat to help a
lady in. and would take time to in
quiry after the health of her family"
pUT let us not stray too far away
from Uhe little square piano in the
parlor. You remember when Uncle
Edward would come to town on one
Of the mail stages from Upper Marl-
boro, Piscataway or Rockville. bring
ing his fancy-pattern carpet bag with
that he did not approve Of this new.
tangled music. 1t was nothing like
SO tuneful as those songs he learned
in his youth. and he could sing Whoa!
Mule. I Can't Git the Bride On" and
"soppins Up % Sorghum. IN: %Th "The iaGksl Xrkan-
sas Traveller" Turkey in the Straw"
''Woodpecker on the Post Oak Tree"
and ''Sold My Hoss in Tennessee"
Uncle Edward and grandma and
Aunt Sarah would often discuss music
and the conversation was enlighten-
were talking about. for they used
words that could be found in an Eng
lish dictionary. Uncle Edward would
hold out that his favorite was Black
eyed Susan" and he would sing the
song. but for the life Of me can re-
member only the fourth and sixth
verses:
Oh. Susan. Susan. lovely dear!
My vow shall ever true remain: .-'.--
Let me kiss o1 that falling tear,
We only part to meet again.
ChsnGe as ye list, ye winds, my heart shall be
The faithful compass that shall point TO thee
II to fair India's coast We aa1.
Thine eyes are seen In diamonds bright;
Thy breath is Afric's spicy gale,
Thy skin is ivory. so white.
Thus, evry beauteous object that view
Wakes in ny soul some charms Of lovely Sue.
- Grandma insisted that the. finest