| Show DICKENS LEARNING THE POLKA ITO he would emett practice a Gr gravely arlly la in a corner without music haile or partner my father insisted that my sister katie and I 1 should teach the polka polk a tep step to him and mr 11 r leech writes writer mamie dickens in the ladies rome home journal my father was as much in earnest about learning to take that wonderful step correctly as though there was nothing of greater importance in the world often he would practice gravely in a corner without either partner or music masic and I 1 remember one cold winters night his awakening with the fear that he had bad forgotten the he step so strong upon him that jumping auz out of bed by the scant illumination of the old fashioned and to his own whistling he diligently rehearsed its one two one two until he was once more secure in his knowledge no one can imagine our excitement and nervousness when the evening came on which we were ere to dance with our pupils ratie katie was to have mr leech who was over six feet tall for her partner while my father was vas to be mine min e sly fy heartbeat s so 6 fast that I 1 could scarcely breathe I 1 was so fearful for the success OT of our exhibition but my fears were here groundless and we were greeted at the finish of our dance with a hearty applause which was more than a corn 1 sensation pensa tion for the work which had been expended e upon its learning my father was certainly not what in the ordinary acceptation of the term would ba called a good dancer I 1 doubt whether he had ever received any instruction in the noble art are other than that which my sister and I 1 gave ga ve him in later years I 1 remember trying t aring I 1 to teach him the schottische a dance which he particularly admired and desired to learn buts but although he nv was as so fond of dancing except at fa family rally gatherings at his own or his most intimate L friends houses I 1 never remember seeing him hia participate |
