Partners in the Dance.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1683, 10 July 1875, Page 6 (Supplement)

Partners in the Dance.

A young- lady contributor to the Boßton Courier writes: ' Let me tell you what kind of partners we poor girls are obliged to take up with now. Tha most harrowing of them all, I think on the whole, is the surprised partner. . Of course I cap't tell yoa what his name is. One feels rather flattered when be asks one, for he is supposed to be a geniuslives by his wits I should hardly suppose his income could be amazingly large. He writes books anyway, and looks like a pen, as tall and black and just the same size'from shoulders to legs: then his hair stands up in a point on the top of his head. He wears" glasses and ■ his countenance is continually agitated by surprise. He invites one' to dance with him, and one consents ;'■ but when he chances to look down and sees the modest form on his arm, his surprise is unspeakable. He.is surprised if he is greeted by an acquaintance, surprised at every bod y and everything but the supper-table, which he approachesfjrmly and naturally, and I noticed that he meets an oyster like an old friend. Sometimes bedeals out a few gracious remarks to one with an air of giving candy to a child, and one swallows the candy as meekly as possible and smiles abeautiful smile when his state of surprise causes him to crush her costly fa- in his hands as if it were so much paper. Not that one iB not in a condition to take him bf the collar, but one is abliged to be careful about offending these geniuses—they may pu. you into a book. As for dancing, he doesn't dance at all, only walks about bewildered and sad, and, when he pretends to waltze, holds one in his arms as I have seen children, hold big'dolls, nearly as large as themstfves.i He pajs no attention to the " >•. whatever, but holds his head aloft as if | -i^ianing to the music of other spheres. "*ne is the bashful partner. He is \idsomoly young—and looks as if * . !:,' gh't kill him. One goes on the A " ' Alim with/ a fearful presentiment ' • *- ' fland glances over her new robe, ' " '^'-yligh, so suggestive of Paris, .1 i_.llv, .'Eyes, look your last!' Irecantion ; she , tucks her >r one arm at the dreadful I ungraceful; she pins up i to keep her feet behind uin; her toes ache from ioftte flounces. He dances eons vehemence that the mo, the flowers drop from is better to sacrifice all wall-flower, for. if one gets riilg ia wall-flower she may j harp on the willow tree.' |