University of Virginia Library

14. XIV.
THE BALL.

The Mormons are fond of dancing. Brigham and
Heber C. dance. So do Daniel H. Wells and the
other heads of the Church. Balls are opened with
prayer, and when they break up a benediction is
pronounced.

I am invited to a ball at Social Hall, and am
escorted thither by Brothers Stenhouse and Clawson.

Social Hall is a spacious and cheerful room. The
motto of “Our Mountain Home” in brilliant evergreen
capitals adorns one end of the hall, while at
the other a platform is erected for the musicians,
behind whom there is room for those who don't
dance, to sit and look at the festivities. Brother
Stenhouse, at the request of President Young, formally
introduces me to company from the platform.
There is a splendor of costumery about the dancers
I had not expected to see. Quadrilles only are

danced. The Mazourka is considered sinful. Even
the old-time round waltz is tabooed.

I dance.

The Saints address each other here, as elsewhere,
as Brother and Sister. “This way, Sister!” “Where
are you going, brother?” etc. etc. I am called
Brother Ward. This pleases me, and I dance with
renewed vigor.

The Prophet has some very charming daughters,
several of whom are present to-night.

I was told they spoke French and Spanish.

The Prophet is more industrious than graceful as
a dancer. He exhibits, however, a spryness of legs
quite remarkable in a man at his time of life. I
didn't see Heber C. Kimball on the floor. I am
told he is a loose and reckless dancer, and that many
a lily-white toe has felt the crushing weight of his
cowhide monitors.

The old gentleman is present, however, with a
large number of wives. It is said he calls them his
“heifers.”

“Ain't you goin' to dance with some of my wives?”
said a Mormon to me.

These things make a Mormon ball more spicy than
a Gentile one.

The supper is sumptuous, and bear and beaver
adorn the bill of fare.

I go away at the early hour of two in the morning.
The moon is shining brightly on the snow-covered
streets. The lamps are out, and the town is still as
a graveyard.