fully spread; bow twice to audience. Time: Three measures, one for the first position, and one for each bow. 26. Piquancy.-Fan fully spread, held sideways between the face and the audience, so that one end is down, the other up. Time of poise: Two measures. Now move to the rigit, glancing over fan, one-half measure of music; move the fan to the left one-half measure, move to the right one-half measure, to the left one-half measure. Time for entire figure: Four meas ures. 27. Arrogance.-Fan fully spread, placed directly back of the head, one tip resting on the upper back, the other above the head; left hand on hip. Time: Two measures. 28. Under Left Arm.—This figure has been described under Figure 9. Repeat Figures 27 and 28. 30. Examination.-Right arm extended at the side, fan fully spread; retain a slight curve at the elbow; examine critically. Time: Two measures. 31. Coquetry.—Described under Figure 18. 34. Courtesy.—Courtesy low to audience, raising fan obliquely to the right of the head-line; repeat; after rising from this obeisance, keep the fan up in its position to the right of the head, so as to have in readiness for the next figure. Time for both courtesies: Two measures. 35. Descending Curves.-Drop the fan slowly from its raised position, sweeping around to the left head-line; sweep back; repeat this motion four times; the figure is diagramed thus, 0. Time: Two measures. 36. Waiting.–Fan on the right side of head, so as to shade the eyes; bend the torso obliquely to the right, looking out from under the fan. Time: Two measures. Examination. The same as Figure 30. Repeat Figures 36 and 37. 38. Listening.-Bring the fan slightly toward the torso after the last figure; raise the left hand to the ear in an attitude of listening, bending the head and the torso to the left, slightly forward. Time: Two measures. 39. Waiting.–Described under Figure 36. Repeat Figures 38 and 39. 40. Looking Backward.—Extend right arm backward, holding the fan well out; look at it attentively. Time: Two measures. 41. Astonishment.—Bring the fan forward, both hands raised, right holding fan, the left hand vertical. Time: One measure. 42. Supine.-Lower both hands, right holding the fan, the left supine, looking down. Time: One measure. 43. Supplication.-Drop on left knee, facing the audience, the hands and eyes raised in supplication. Time: Three meas lires. 44. Circles.-Already described. Be careful that the pupils rise easily, beginning the circles immediately. Time: Four measures. 45. Playful.-Advance the right foot and arm obliquely to the right, holding the fan on a line with the head, the left hand on the hip; bend the torso. Time: Two measures. 46. Bashful.–Right foot in the same position; turn the face away to the left, concealing with the fan. Time: Two measures. Repeat Figures 45 and 46. 47. Repellent.--Draw the right foot back to place, face still turned to the left; use the fan on a line with the face, moving with dignity and scorn. Time: Four measures. 48. Gossip.-Partners incline their heads together, holding the fans so as to conceal the faces; buzz a little behind them. Time: Two measures. 49. First Position.—Take the first position of the fan; bow twice to the audience. Time: Three measures. 50. Finale.- Place the hands on the hips, the right holding the fan outspread; march off the stage, the front row starting; leave the stage in the form of a figure eight, thus oo This drill does not occupy more than fifteen minutes. The figures are so arranged that the attitudes and motions blend into each other in perfect symmetry and time. The movements should all be taken with a slow, easy grace. A GENTLEMAN, while in church, intending to scratch his head, in a fit of mental absence reached over into the next pew and scratched the head of an old maid. He discovered his mistake when she sued him for a breach of promise. A LAUGH IN CHURCH. SHI HE sat on the sliding cushion, The dear, wee woman of fcir. Her feet, in their shiny slippers, Hung dangling over the floor. She meant to be good; she had promised, And so, with her big, brown eyes, She stared at the meeting-house windows And counted the crawling flies. She looked far up at the preacher, But she thought of the honey-bees Droning away at the blossoms That whitened the cherry-trees; She thought of a broken basket Where, curled in a dusky heap, Three sleek, round puppies with fringy ears Lay snuggled and fast asleep. Such soft, warm bodies to cuddle, Such queer little hearts to beat, Such swift, round tongues to kiss, Such sprawling, cushiony feet. She could feel in her clasping fingers The touch of the satiny skin, And a cold, wet nose exploring The dimples under her chin. Then a sudden ripple of laughter Ran over the parted lips With her rosy finger-tips. As each one waked from a nap; For shame in her mother's lap. THE RACE AT DEVIL'S ELBOW. JAMES BUCKHAM. (From the Youth's Companion, by permission of the author and the publishers.) Men and women were in the street, Shouting, crying! And why? A child, See it yon, where the tide runs black?” “Quick! a lariat! Now stand back!” Swift the current and deep the gorge, Glooming down to the Devil's Leap. Vain would battle the current's sweep. Tossed and buoyed in the Father's hand, Someone rode to the bridge that spanned Who should do it, must do it soon! Every man to his saddle sprang. The hoofs and the spurs and the bridles rang. Four miles down by the river's crook, Six miles round by the rocky trail. Figure it out by guess or by book, Which of the racers were like to fail? Horse against current—a ten-mile gait, We'll say, to the river's seven or eight. Close enough, when it's life and death, Not much muscle to spare, or breath! First and foremost rode Reckless Dan. No one thought of him, at the start. No one dreamed that his heart could plan A rescue—nay, dreamed that he had a heart! Always last at the dance or spree, Not a friend in the world had he. But ne'er was a closer bond than drew The heart of the plainsman to his steed And the heart of the horse to the master, too. a One by one fell the field behind, Till Dan's gray horse was without a mate. His long mane flew in his own speed's wind, And he seemed to know he was matched with fate. Neck and muzzle stretched out in line; Ears, like arrow-tips, pricking back; Nostrils red as the new-pressed wine So he galloped along the track. Not a man of them in the race, Save Reckless Dan! Will he brave it through? Think you, his heart has some human grace? Deep in the core, is it warm and true? Well, while they doubted, on he flew ! After him floated the choking dust, Under him glided the narrow trail. Beat the river, he would and must. When did he ever try and fail? |