The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1953-02-19
1t Runs Through
My Mind
By POLLY J. HANST

By POLLY j. HANST
Their First Dance
A bit of nostalgia or homesick-
ness came over me as | looked in
on a party the Red Cross and Sgt.
Kirby put on for the participants
in the minstrel Monday night at
the Old High school,
| was only there to help in the
kitchen but as | passed through |
was aware that they were having
real honest-to-g goodness dance,
with decorations, tables along the
walls and every girl, regardless Of
how small, in an evening dress.
That young crew of fourth grad
crs and few first were dancing
like it was nothing new, although
we knew the sewing machines
hummed up to the last minute get
ting their first long dresses ready.
One of the youngest was plying
herself before the party. mo one
will ask me to dance" she la
mentcd, because I'm so ugly"
Her sister chimed in, well,
think of me, you're not as ugly as
l."
But one of the big boys did ask
her and as she passed her mother
she called out eXcitedly, "Oh,
mother, look!"
Parents have mixed feelings over
their children's first big prom. But
this one only brought back mem
cries of the day the Girl Scouts
with whom | once worked had their
first dance.
1t was a very proper affair and
its know-how was studied for a
month.
They arrived too early (charac-
teristic of their age, I've learned
since) and found father trying to
get the baby to bed, while !
strained at my maternity dress to
get it in its last hook.
When | got downstairs the girls
had gathered in the kitchen and
their conversation went something
like this:
Margaret Rudy: I've got on
mothers dress, does it look all
right?"
Lois Sincell: Mother didn't have
time to hem it. Will it be noticed?'
pointing to the full net skirt.
Julia Gender: "Do you have
hair pin? This curl just won't stay
in place" (Hcr first professional
hair-do.)
Are my seams straight?" Ma
mic Treacy pulled up her gown far
enough to display her first silk
hose.
"Will you pin my strap" will
you fix my sash ?" Flows my lip
stick?" or Look! I've got finger
nails"
About that time DeCourscy Boil
den, probably ten years old, APP
preached me holding out the front
of his coat-a brand new suit and
his first long pants.
"On the way up the hill he cX-
planned, Il lost a button. Could you
mind me one?"
Knowing that kind of search was
out of the question, quickly re-
marked, ooh, George, Bob Hoff-
man (the Beau Brummel of that
day. and all the fellows don't but
ton the top button"
But for this here Dance" he
replied, Il want it buttoned all the
way up"
Later in the evening, he had ap-
parently forgotten the button and
the new suit, for his tie was
loosened, his shirt unbuttoned at
the neck and he was having the
time of his life-much to the cha
grin of his proper older sister.
hope DeCoursey won't mind me
telling this now that he is a man
for he was a typical American
boy--thc kind any mother would
like to have claimed
But regardless of generation, the
thrills, the problems and the foot
aches are much the same, for |
heard Dickie Castilow say, My
feet arc so tired they'll hardly
move"
After had helped spoon out the
last serving of potato salad, and
paused to have another good laugh
at Tommy Turncys solo" num-
Der, left. But as went out the
door ! heard them all singing, III
sec you in my Dreams" the song
we said goodnight to when | was
a tccn-er, and for a split second |
wished that ! were one again.
Seven Join Armed Forces
The enlistment of seNen Nnmths