A BUSH BALL

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3330, 12 January 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

A BUSH BALL

[Bv Lottie.] “ The committee of requests the pleasure of Mr, Mrs and the Misses ’s company, at a ball to be held in the station homestead next Wednesday evening. Dancing to commence at 8 o’clock sharj)." My sister and I had been expecting this invitation for about a fortnight. The building is somewhat dilapidated, there being holes’in both roof and ceiling. Its floor is of Murray pine, so much worn that tho knots stand up above tho soft wood. It is divided into two compartments, communicating with each other by a doorway. The decorations are green boughs, hung up at random. Two hooks, made of fencing wire, are suspended from the ceiling, and on each hangs a “candlebrum," made by nailing two pieces of board crossways, and there are eight candles to each room. Music is supplied by a violinist, who sits in tho doorway. Benches and bags of wheat are placed round the walls, and on these girls sit in the intervals between the dances, while the young men stand up round tho

“ programme," which is pinned to tho wall. These young men are at a loss what to say when near a lady, and they never look happy except when dancing or talking among themselves. Very little

time intervenes between the dances. As soon as one is over tho “programme” is hurriedly consulted. The girls, of course, pretend not to notice the keen or often doubting glances thrown in their direction; and each is quite surprised when a swain appears before her, and, in a stooping posture, with his hands resting on his knees, and his head well forward, asks, “Aro you engaged tor this dance?” If the answer ho “ No,” ho enquires, “ May I have the pleasure, please ?” Tho reply is sure to bo “ Certainly,” and with a smile, sometimes broad and sometimes sickly, and a' look as if of a man who has come well through an ordeal, ho retires. When tho M.C. calls out “ Promenade your partners,” each young man rushes to secure his partner, who springs to moot him, tho pleasure of tho daneo depending greatly on obtaining the best parts of the floor. The girls aro not much troubled with chaperonage, only three or four mammas being present. This is because one wide-awake woman has to stay at home in a farm-house, and so both mother and daughters cannot get away at the same time to attend dances. The mothers who are hero form a knot in a corner, and talk freely till a girl approaohes, when there is a stoppage in their conversation.

About half-past twelve supper is announced. Tho young men pass round the eatables, while tea and cofl'eo appear in milk buckets, to bo poured out of jugs into cups. Presently a cry goes up that there is no sugar. A short man comes in with a pannikin full, and informs us that of sugar there is plenty hut that of spoons there are none. Some ouo brings in o. number of twigs. Our dad, with other dutiful fathers, has been outside at a fire of logs where all have been talking. They come in now. My sister and I have contrived to he engaged for a dance after supper. Dad growls, but succumbs, tolling as we must be ready for home shortly. About half an hour later I slip out on the verandah to reconnoitre. He is leaning against a gum-tree, in the full light of tho fire, laying down tho law, and gesticulating to a group of men. I slip back and whisper to my sister that ho is safe for three hours. When that time has elapsed wo are quite prepared for home, as are most of tho dancers. From the expression of dad’s face we can see that he has had the best of the argument. — Australasian.